The 442-bed student residence is a 16-level twin tower building that incorporates a basement, two-level podium, and glazed and solid facades. It is the largest facility on the University of Auckland campus boosting its fully catered accommodation capacity significantly.

Located on the western slopes of Grafton Gully, it is anticipated to set a trend for structures utilising a mix of timber, concrete and steel, both in New Zealand and overseas. It’s the largest structure of its type in the country and is built using wood-framed modules that sit within a steel and concrete framework.

This building is comprised of 468 prefabricated timber room pods built offsite and then assembled within the main structure.Some 429 rooms will be 11 square metres in size and there will be 13 larger rooms with en suite bathrooms. Each student accommodation floor has a central common room, study room, kitchenette and shared bathrooms. The benefits of this process include minimisation of onsite construction, and high levels of quality control.

Manufactured by Stanley Group in Matamata, the units are transported to Auckland by truck, and arrive completely fitted out with windows, doors, carpets, wooden furniture, and prepared for electricity and computer links.

Within each concrete structural zone of the building there are three storeys of these 1-bedroom units, stacked into place by crane, which are then connected to corridors, bathrooms and lift access. Whilst not a fully timber building, it uses more wood than any tower block of this size and its modular construction has reduced the on-site build time considerably.

The exterior of the building is clad in ceramic tiles for weather-tightness, and extensive outdoor recreation facilities are planned for decks on two levels with an outdoor recreation court nearby.

Practical completion was achieved in time for the 2012 academic year.