The existing Social Housing complex located at 20 Bruce Terrace, Akaroa was affected by the earthquakes and was deemed uneconomic to repair. As a result of this, its existing three dwellings were to be demolished and replaced with five new Social Housing Units.

Watts & Hughes Limited was awarded the contract to design and build five new Council-owned single-level social residential dwellings.  The scope of works consisted of excavation, concrete slab, timber structure, internal linings, kitchen, toilets, plumbing and mechanical & electrical services, together with meth testing and asbestos removal within the existing units. The exterior consisted of painting to the blockwork retaining wall, landscaping, a concrete footpath and asphalt carpark. As the design/build contractor, Watts & Hughes took over the Resource Consent drawings (provided by CCC) and advanced these through the design stages to completion. The design was in alignment and conformed to the Resource Consent and was also detailed to meet the Lifemark 5-Star Standard. The five new Social Housing units have been completed to a high standard and are now incorporated into the Council’s City Housing Portfolio.

The five Social Housing units include four one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit. Each unit comprises an open-plan kitchen and lounge, a disable toilet and bedroom(s). The units were specifically designed for elderly people and people with disabilities. This design principle was adhered to throughout the Project, from the layout of the units to the selection of fixtures. The unit layouts and functional features are designed to support sustainable management and maintenance practices.

The site is a listed archaeological site and all three existing units were occupied during construction. W&H worked closely with the Christchurch City Council in order to ensure existing tenants were not unduly affected by the works and that all statutory and cultural requirements were observed.