Design-Led Transformation of New Zealand’s Public Housing Portfolio

A national design quality improvement programme initiated for Kāinga Ora–Homes and Communities to transform the quality of New Zealand’s public housing portfolio. The programme focused on optimising site capacity, increasing asset value, and delivering world-class, mixed-tenure communities that reduced the stigma associated with state housing and enhanced social outcomes. Key innovations included an integrated design quality toolkit comprising: The Simple Guide to Design–a user-friendly framework for design guidance; the Design Quality Assessment Tool–enabling evidence-based evaluation and quality monitoring across Kāinga Ora’s national development programme; and the Design Quality Training Programme–equipping both Kāinga Ora staff and external design and development partners to actively contribute to improved design outcomes.

Client
Kāinga Ora Homes & Communities

Location
National Programme–New Zealand

Awards
NZIA & Property Council Project Awards 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

Note: Anthony Flannery of Re-Imagine was appointed Special Adviser to Kāinga Ora’s Construction and Innovation Group, with responsibility for developing the organisation’s Design Guide, leading the Design Quality Assessment of more than 270 projects, and delivering the national Design Quality Training Programme.