THE PŌNEKE COMPANY
Sydney Modules
Completion : November 2015
Contractor : PLS Consulting
Located in the heart of Petone, Lower Hutt, the Sydney Modules project provides a contemporary, multi-unit living solution that integrates seamlessly into its established urban context. The site sits midway along a 110-metre stretch of Sydney Street, nestled between commercial and residential zones, offering a perfect blend of proximity to shops, public transport, and vibrant community amenities.
The development comprises a mix of Ecotech Commercial Volumetric Modular Housing units, offering both 2-bedroom (duo-mod) and 3-bedroom (tri-mod) options. These units are designed to exceed New Zealand's building code standards, ensuring a high level of durability and efficiency. Each unit is assembled from modular steel components manufactured offshore, with the modules shipped to New Zealand and then assembled on-site. This innovative approach significantly reduces construction time while maintaining high-quality standards.
The two-storey units feature single-level living spaces, ensuring a blend of privacy and connection to the surrounding area. The front unit forms a prominent street edge, activating the streetscape with its carefully crafted, modern design. Its compact footprint, complemented by a raised outdoor deck, creates a sense of engagement with the street while maintaining privacy for residents. The rear units offer north-facing outdoor spaces that maximise sunlight, privacy, and views, all while providing a sense of openness to the central courtyard and beyond.
The site’s layout is strategically designed for ease of access and enhanced safety, with separate pedestrian and vehicle entry points. Native trees, such as the iconic cabbage tree, are thoughtfully placed to guide visitors to unit entrances, while post boxes and a small seating area enhance the communal feel of the development. This design also ensures high-quality passive surveillance, with upper units overlooking both the street and the central shared spaces, promoting security and a sense of community.
The architecture embraces a contemporary aesthetic, blending traditional weatherboard cladding with modern touches, such as vertical timber rain screens and metal elements. This carefully curated mix honours the heritage of the surrounding area while presenting a fresh, modern design. The interior spaces are equally well-considered, with raked ceilings, full-height windows, and premium finishes throughout. Each unit features high-quality bathroom and kitchen fittings, custom joinery, and Italian tiling, offering a level of luxury within a functional, sustainable design.
The Sydney Street Modular project marks an exciting milestone for The Poneke Company, being their first offsite modular project built in New Zealand. The units, manufactured by Ecotech, are designed to meet high energy efficiency standards, with superior insulation, thermally broken windows, and electric heat pumps ensuring a warm and sustainable living environment. Additionally, the modular units are designed to meet seismic, wind, and fire safety requirements, ensuring they are well-suited to New Zealand’s diverse climate and environmental conditions.
By leveraging the potential of modular housing, the Sydney Street project offers a scalable, cost-effective, and environmentally sustainable solution for urban living. This innovative approach highlights the growing role of modular housing in transforming New Zealand's residential landscape. The development offers affordable, high-quality homes that combine modern aesthetics with functional design, setting a new standard for urban living in Petone and beyond.
