The Greenhouse | Jacobsen NZ Flooring

Nestled in the heart of Ponsonby, Auckland’s vibrant dining and retail precinct, The Greenhouse is a flagship development by Ockham Residential. Completed in 2024, this luxurious residential building is distinguished by its meticulous design and deep connection to nature. The Greenhouse is named after its 150,000 luminous, green-glazed brick exterior.

The quest to find these unique bricks took four years and a circuitous path through New Zealand, Australia and Europe. The bricks are handcrafted by Sant’Anselmo in Italy.

“Sant’Anselmo’s kilns have been firing bricks for five generations, and their bricks really stood out,” Tania explains. “They’re beautiful — luminous, elegant and an incredible deep, rich colour. They certainly will make The Greenhouse a landmark building.”

Both the exterior and interior design of The Greenhouse reflects Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland’s natural beauty, taking cues from the black sands of the West Coast, the lush greens of the Waitākere Ranges and the shimmering sea surrounding the city. Each material was carefully selected to create a connection to Tāmaki Makaurau, from slate tiles reminiscent of Karekare Beach to the chevron patterns on tiles, glazing and door handles that echo the plumage of native NZ birdlife.

Dark slate floors greet visitors in the lobby, complemented by brass lift doors and golden melt pendant lights designed by Tom Dixon. In the apartments, engineered TimberTop European Oak flooring in a chevron pattern ties seamlessly with slate benches, green shower tiles and aged brass tapware. Details and artworks by New Zealand artists grace the walls of the common area and lift carriages, all curated to enhance the Aotearoa aesthetic.

The building also embraces sustainable practices, with energy-efficient features like a central hot water system, LED lighting and EV charging stations. The residents’ lounge even includes a table crafted from the reclaimed timber from the existing building on the site.

Jacobsen collaborated closely with Ockham Residential to bring Tania’s vision to life, ensuring the flooring complemented the building’s aesthetic and met performance standards. Jacobsen’s engineered TimberTop and Aspecta LVT flooring feature throughout and were carefully sourced to achieve the desired chevron installation while also meeting the high acoustic requirements for quiet living in the apartments.

Jacobsen achieved an exact colour match between the LVT and timber flooring, even though the products came from different suppliers. This attention to detail maintained consistency throughout the building.

Shaw Contract’s Mist broadloom carpet collection was reimagined specifically for The Greenhouse’s corridors. Working with Shaw’s design team and Jacobsen, Tania tailored the broadloom template to fit the building’s unique T-shaped corridor layout, ensuring a cohesive flow throughout.

A custom rug for the resident's lounge was crafted using broadloom carpet with non-slip backing and surged edges. Chosen from the same design template as the broadloom carpet in the corridors, the rug was designed to integrate seamlessly into the building’s overall aesthetic.

Jacobsen’s expertise ensured that every flooring detail aligned with the building’s vision, creating spaces that are both functional and visually stunning.

The Greenhouse is more than a building; it’s a love letter to the natural beauty of Tāmaki Makaurau and a testament to thoughtful design. From the striking, green-glazed brick exterior to the warm, elegant interiors, every element of this development reflects craftsmanship and sustainability. The Jacobsen team are proud to have been a part of this exceptional project, delivering flooring solutions that enhance both form and function in this iconic Auckland residence.