News

Located at the top of the city, Dunedin’s new architecturally designed, boutique retirement- care development is an impressive sight.

Built by Amalgamated Builders, Oracle at Highgate is located right in the heart of Roslyn Village, providing 24 supported retirement apartments over four levels, with city and harbour views.

The construction of the luxurious retirement development continues Amalgamated Builders’ reputation for building significant
projects that add to the life and architecture of the city.

The aged-care facility is one of the more impressive and bigger projects the company has worked on. ABL was selected as the ECI
(early contractor involvement) contractor for the 4000sqm village, which was designed by Christchurch architect Foley Group. Dunedin’s Hadley & Robinson provided the structural and civil design.

Part of the ECI was the introduction of design-and-build elements to the project, with all services trades bringing their own special area of expertise to the project. 

This provided the client with the most economical and robust solution in terms of services for their building, enabling the services companies to also make their mark on a high-profile development.

The development features a residents’ club,  a dining and bar area, a library and computer area, gymnasium, landscaped gardens and barbecue, and the most up-to-date technology in security and care.
 

Visually, the village has the appearance of three separate towers, but these have conjoined link-ways, and each level features
balconies.

Its design reflects a contemporary, elegant,and stylish aesthetic that highlights Oracle on Highgate’s architectural presence, a quality that is equally reflected in its chic interior design and colour palette. It takes full advantage of its well-elevated site, which provides sweeping views of the city and harbour right out to the open sea beyond, as well as to the hills around the city.The core construction elements comprised concrete foundations and a steel structure that supports suspended concrete floor slabs.

The rear boundary wall of the building is just 200mm from the neighbouring supermarket, with this wall comprising 10, nearly 10-tonne precast concrete panels.

Visually, the village has the appearance of three separate towers, but these have conjoined link-ways, and each level features balconies accommodate a new elevator, bathroom upgrade,new lobby space as well as a series of ramps and walkways throughout the various levels of the facility.

Project lead Craig Masters says the new improvements will provide access for people with disabilities, and create all-round easieraccess for those visiting the school. ABL had to build the construction in two towers to allow access to lift the heavy precast panels, which made up the balance of the boundary wall, over the steel structure and then use this structure to temporarily brace the panels while the suspended concrete floors were being poured. Outside of the main structure, construction is of traditional timber and drywall board for interior walls, and Sto plaster system for the exterior. Extensive windows and balconies make up the exterior features.

While it was built using a traditional construction model, there were typical complexities with fire ratings and inter-tenancy building specifications such as fire-rated walls and acoustic walls.

ABL is also underway on construction of an elevator shaft at Mornington School to accommodate a new elevator, bathroom upgrade, new lobby space as well as a series of ramps and walkways throughout the various levels of the facility.

Project lead Craig Masters says the new improvements will provide access for people with disabilities and create and all-round easier access for those visiting the school.