Campbell is a director of  ahha which has offices in Auckland, Dunedin and Queenstown. The team at ahha want to create a truly regenerative Aotearoa and refence the UN Sustainable Goals as the basis for their work.

 

Campbell spoke to us about a relatively new concept to Dunedin to redevelop a historic building in Moray Place, the Pioneer Women’s Hall which is around 150 years old. In the redevelopment of the building, ahha has introduced the concept of Community Land Trusts. The goal is for the income earned for the tenancies to provide funding for further development, be able to access materials at wholesale prices and to be able to provide perpetual affordable housing.

 

In 2021 the Otepoti Futures Trust was formed, and the Women’s Association gifted the property to the Trust. To date the project has been through a feasibility study and community engagement and is currently in the design stage. Construction is expected to start in January 2024. The building itself has many issues – it is run down, poor access, is earthquake prone and  has issues with fire protection. The goal of the development is to increase the capacity of the building by extending the upper floor, reconfiguring the ground floor and ensuring the acoustics in the building will allow for mixed use. This will allow the current tenants to continue using the building. It is intended the ground floor will have an art gallery space with the first floor a co-working space. The building has an Art Deco façade and the design celebrates this as well as paying homage to the historic use of the building with a Remembrance Shrine to the Suffragette Movement. There has been extensive legacy and heritage consultation.

Campbell and the team at ahha are passionate about their work and I am sure the members will watch the progress of the building with interest.