Fair Acres

7 Nov

The Fair Acres Townhouses seek to create a strong sense of identity for both the occupants and the neighbourhood. This is achieved through the use of bold roof forms, colour and distinct extrusions of form that cascade across the elevation. The corner lots of each block turn to face the street and form a gateway to Fair Acres Square.

Having travelled across Europe, client Dr Eileen Fair returned emboldened with a vision for bringing community living, increased density and shared open space to the suburbs of Palmerston North. She subsequently established Fair Acres Square – a public greenspace encircled by 2-storey townhouses. The original 2x blocks of three were built in the early 2000s and set a new precedent for medium density in the area. Very much ahead of their time, it wasn’t until 15 years later that stage two was initiated for the remaining townhouses.

The homes are large, offering all of the amenity of a stand-alone suburban home but on a fraction of the land. They are connected to private outdoor spaces at the ground level and to the street at first floor level via secondary living spaces and balconies. Certified to Homestar 6* Design ensures that a benchmark of sustainability has been reached and that the occupants will be warm, comfortable (and healthy) all year round.

Built: 2023
Builder: InHouse Construction
Images: David Hensel Photography
Lighting Design: Fifth Season
Structural Engineer: Essen Engineering
Fire Design: Origin Fire Consulting

The original subdivision provided for a similar 2x blocks of three townhouses however it quickly became apparent that these sites were proportionally inappropriate for the typology. A new scheme plan was developed adding an additional property to each block resulting in 2x 4 bedroom homes, 4x 3 bedroom homes and 2x 2 bedroom homes.
In consultation with Palmerston North City Council, great consideration was given to the development’s contribution to the street. With primary living spaces located opposite on the northern side, alternative strategies had to be implemented to ensure visual amenity and passive surveillance over the street. This aligned well with a desire to connect the occupants to Fair Acres Square and resulted in second floor living spaces and balconies overlooking the street.
There was limited precedent for townhouses in the area and much debate centred on the bulk and form’s fit with the established character of the neighbourhood. As such, the design has been clearly segmented into individual dwellings with distinct roof lines and entries with end units that taper down to single storey to reflect the scale of neighbouring homes.
Dr Eileen Fair had a vision for these homes to not only be beautiful places to live but also to contribute positively toward the natural and economic climate of New Zealand. Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) construction aligned well with these objectives and is used for all floors, walls and roofs from the slab up. Collaborating with Red Stag and structural engineer’s Essen, a construction methodology was developed that enabled much of the CLT to be exposed in the interior and celebrated for it’s natural aesthetic qualities. The external panels are then battened for insulation and clad in a combination of profiled metal, weatherboard and plaster, with timber accents.
The use of pre-finished metal cladding provides a low-maintenance solution and bold vertical lines that accentuate the extruded ‘wraps’ of each dwelling. Cedar was selected for the timber accents for its natural durability and rich texture. These accents fit with the design whether stained and vibrant or weathered and subdued, making regular maintenance optional.

First Light Studio Fair Acres townhouses with bold roof forms and varied facades in Palmerston North

Fair Acres townhouses designed by First Light Studio with distinct rooflines and individual entrances

Timber-lined hallway within a First Light Studio Fair Acres townhouse in Palmerston North

Fair Acres townhouse interior living space with timber elements and generous natural light

Kitchen and dining area within a Fair Acres townhouse by First Light Studio

Warm and spacious living area within a Fair Acres townhouse by First Light Studio with recessed lighting

Fair Acres townhouse kitchen by First Light Studio with finger pulls on kitchen drawers

Architectural facade corrugate cladding from the Fair Acres townhouses

First Light Studio’s Fair Acres development in Palmerston North

First Light Studio Fair Acres facade with vertical metal cladding and timber accents

Fair Acres townhouse development by First Light Studio viewed from the street

Project Details

Project Type: Multi-Unit
Year Built: 2023
Location: Palmerston North
Architect: First Light Studio
Builder: InHouse Construction
Photography: David Hensel Photography

Awards

This progressive development delivers five Cross-Laminated Timber constructed townhouses, mirrored again across the street corner to create a matching set. Each home is subtly unique in form and muted khaki tone yet unified by the same mass timber construction system. Thoughtful interior fitouts paired with exposed CLT panels evoke warmth and comfort. A legacy project, it champions longevity over short-term gain—lighting the path forward for sustainable urban living.