A Serene Community – Hills Village by Edwards White Architects and Red Architecture

Nestled on the banks of the Waikato River in the fresh air and leafy streets of Hamilton East, a new neighbourhood is being born. Developer Stark Property is taking the site of the former Hills Laboratories and revitalising it into a master planned precinct, with shared spaces, open courtyards, bike paths and a swimming pool all arranged to create an architecturally designed pocket neighbourhood. The master plan has four stages, comprising of two commercial buildings and three apartment buildings, each with their own unique design language.

Located one and a half hours south-east of Auckland, the city of Hamilton is growing, its charming heritage character now interspersed with exciting new businesses and gourmet restaurants and cafes. Hills Village is located on the edge of this budding scene but tucked quietly away, peacefully protected among the trees along the riverbank. This is the concept for Hills Village – a warm embrace that cultivates a sense of community, each apartment building sited seamlessly amid carefully considered verdant landscaping.

The master plan of Hills Village creates a balance between urban convenience and natural serenity, connected to the growing Hamilton centre by scenic paths along the river and purposely designed to create a sense of safety and community.

Two of the residential buildings, Hills Apartments and Anzac Apartments, were designed by Edwards White Architects. Hills Apartments is a refurbishment of the former Hills Laboratories, a collection of 19 two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses finished in brick and precast concrete, a nod to the building’s heritage. Anzac Apartments are sited further south, adjacent to the river. Spread across four levels, each of the 10 apartments boasts generous spaces and a private balcony with views to the canopies of the trees below. The Hills Terraced Apartments are designed by Red Architecture, with two stages of 11 two- or three-level townhouses along the street side of the village, some offering commercial space at street level for the entrepreneur or just a home office.