Living Well Park Lane Village by Arvida Group is a multi-storey retirement living complex located in Christchurch, New Zealand. Offering independent living in a social environment across its 80 apartments, the retirement village includes a café, lounge and library within a landscaped setting. Based on a comprehensive approach to wellbeing, the complex’s design celebrates environmental sustainability and biophilia through the use of natural materials.
Arvida Group was determined to create a state-of-the-art retirement village that would instil a sense of community among residents through shared spaces and connections to the outdoors. By incorporating XLAM cross laminated timber (CLT) into the design, the complex resounds with a sense of belonging and community.
The complex contains two linked wings of three- and four-storey buildings featuring a conventional build that uses concrete on the ground level and XLam CLT for the upper floors. The primary wall, floor, and stair structure from the first floor up is entirely CLT, with exposed visual grade panels used for a strong, but warm design feature.
In addition to its stunning aesthetics, CLT offered a sustainable construction solution with the panels used throughout the complex storing approximately 1,131 tonnes of CO2 in its structure. For this reason, the Living Well Park Lane Village was recognised in the 2020 Timber Design Awards with Highly Commended in Sustainable Development and Residential Design. Arvida Group has also implemented mass timber conventional builds as the ‘blueprint’ for its developments moving forward.
Structural System
Looking to redefine and restyle retirement village living, Arvida Group sought to ensure occupant wellbeing by designing and developing a complex that focussed on connections, community, and sustainability.
Comprising of 80 apartments across two multistorey buildings, the Living Well Park Lane Village is a conventional build consisting of CLT in conjunction with traditional materials. The build includes concrete ground floors that also act as a foundation, and over 700 XLam CLT panels used for the wall and floor structures from the first floor up.
The apartments were designed in a ‘honeycomb’ structure and separated by permanent structural internal walls, acoustic-battened and gib-lined to achieve sound insulation. This design was an economically beneficial solution, as it minimised the construction material requirements.
During manufacturing, the CLT wall panels were fitted with dowel plates to minimise the number of screws required to fit the walls in place. Limiting the number of screws also complemented the visual grade of the CLT stairs and panels, which were left exposed with a clear finish to create a natural, calming aesthetic.
Outcome
By including XLam CLT and biophilic design principles, Arvida Group was able to fulfil their objectives and create a sense of community in a complex that celebrates environmental sustainability and innovative building systems.
Project Details
Project: Arvida Park Lane Retirement Village
Client: Arvida Group
Architect: Jasmax
Structural Engineer: Engco
Head Contractor: Armitage Williams
Location: Christchurch, New Zealand
Building Methodology: Conventional Construction (CLT + Steel & Concrete)
