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Case
Study: Riversdale |
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The story of
Riversdale runs parallel with the story of
Tomlinson & Carruthers. What was initially a
barren coastal strip of land up to the early
fifties has evolved into a desirable and
functional coastal resort. Much of this success
story has been due to the strong relationship
between the client and Tomlinson &
Carruthers. The Riversdale resort has required
the application of all our services in a
synergetic process.
Below are the plans for each stage of the
development of Riversdale. Please click on the
plans to see a closer view of the plans. As the
plans are detailed they are, however, large and
can be slow to download.
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1953
The firm was first approached by the
client in 1954 who wished to subdivide
part of a farm for use by friends and
locals as a holiday retreat. After
several options were discussed, the
client chose the current location of
Riversdale due to its picturesque and
safe beach and protection from
southerlies and high seas. |
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1954
The site initially had no telephone or
electricity, no water and a gravel
winding dusty road most of the way. The
vision of the client and the firm’s
know how developed a golf links, a store
and camp and provided areas for community
facilities such as churches and a surf
club to cater for a population beyond the
initial 41 lots laid out in 1954. |
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1955
The approach the firm used for the second
subdivision of 46 lots divided was to
layout the settlement into two rows - a
single row of sections between the
coastal reserve and a new road, and a
second row on the hill side of the
coastal strip.
The design of Riversdale, although simple
in its appearance, was chosen to cater
for future expansion of more sections,
increased traffic and infrastructure. The
locating of sections bordering the
coastal reserve was particularly
desirable and the sand dunes provided
natural protection from the elements.
The firm advised on suitable designs for
houses as the initial isolation of the
site meant houses needed to provide for
their energy, water and sewerage. The
robust approach the firm applied then has
stood the test of time. |
1957
After overwhelming sales for the first 46
lots the firm was approached to provide
for a further 58 lots. The firm was aware
that the increase in motor vehicle
ownership and the improvement in the road
meant that further expansion was to
follow in quick succession. |
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1960
The previous subdivision sold just as
quick as the previous two. The
electricity and telephone networks were
extended to the thriving settlement and a
further 24 lots were laid out. A second
park was laid out allowing increased
access to the coastal reserve. The
bordering coast to the east and the golf
course to the west made these 24 lots
particularly desirable. |
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1963
By 1963 all Riversdale sections were
occupied and landscaped. The golf course
was fully developed and trees and
vegetation was maturing. Although the
settlement was originally intended to be
a holiday resort, a growing trend was the
building of more substantial housing
where people chose to live permanently. |
1965
The foresight of the original plan for
Riversdale with the main parade bordering
coastal lots and a centrally located golf
course provided the perfect combination
for the client to subdivide more
desirable lots. A further 37 lots of
similar size, all with road frontage and
backing onto either the golf course or
the coastal reserve, allowed the maximum
efficient use of land. |
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1970
The last coastal lots were sold very
quickly in the 1970 subdivision of 31
lots. Value was added to the southern
properties by the increased access to the
coastal reserve through the establishment
of a park. |
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1972
The next land to be subdivided was the
land bordering the golf course. 33 lots
were sold in quick succession. |
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1973
The next land to be subdivided were the
first properties with elevated coastal
views. These 29 lots sold like hotcakes
as not only were the properties elevated
but they were sheltered from the
southerlies and the prevailing westerly
winds by the hills close by. |
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1974
By 1974 Riversdale became desirable for
not only its coastal location and its
climate but also highly desirable for its
sense of community. The 25 lots sold in
this year symbolize how the vision of the
client and the long term relationship
with a dedicated surveyor can work to
create durable and desirable
developments. |
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1991
As the road between Masterton and
Riversdale was finally sealed many of the
original baches of the 1950s and 1960s
were renovated or replaced with homes
during the 1980s. Tomlinson &
Carruthers were involved with many of
these changes.
In 1991 the first plot of land to be
subdivided in 17 years was subdivided and
snapped up just as quickly. |
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1998
The first subdivision in Riversdale under
the Resource Management Act bordered the
main road entering the settlement. These
9 lots were desirable for commercial
operations and are currently occupied by
a camping ground and a mini golf complex. |
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2003
Tomlinson & Carruthers were
approached to subdivide an existing block
into three relatively large lots.
Consistent with Riversdale’s
origins, the lots accommodate traditional
kiwi baches.
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| 2005:
The East Leigh Development The success of the
Riversdale resort settlement gave rise to
over demand for properties in the area,
reflected in the rising property prices.
The closest suitable land to develop into
housing in the Riversdale area was on the
surrounding hills.
Tomlinson & Carruthers were
approached by the client to design a
subdivision that enjoyed the same coastal
environment as the rest of Riversdale
without negatively impacting on the
unique sheltered amphitheatre of the
coastal properties.
The East Leigh Development required the
application of the full portfolio of
services Tomlinson & Carruthers
offers. Surveying, urban planning,
landscape architecture, civil engineering
and a highly technical resource planning
process were utilized to achieve a
synergetic design.
The design philosophy the team at
Tomlinson & Carruthers developed was
based on five principles:
1. Maximum view shafts for new building
platforms;
2. Minimum visual impact for existing
properties;
3. Effective public spaces;
4. Minimum exposure to the elements;
5. Synergetic infrastructure for the
whole community.
Central to achieving a low impact
development both visually and
environmentally Tomlinson &
Carruthers employed the latest simulation
and modeling technology. Graphic
visualization combined with digital
terrain models were used to analyze the
visual impact of the housing. Building
height restrictions were applied to
mitigate any further impact.
The development of such a large
development presented infrastructural
challenges. Tomlinson & Carruthers
overcame these challenges through an
environmentally synergetic and cost
effective storm water and sewerage system
utilizing the natural contours of the
site. The construction of three storm
water dams fed by an erosion resistant
urban design allows the man made and
natural features of the development to
fuse seamlessly to provide appealing
public spaces.
Related Links:
 Projects: East
Leigh
News stories about
the East Leigh Development
Environment
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Please click to view a plan
of the East Leigh Development. |
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2008:
Riversdale Links
Riversdale Beach Golf Club owns surplus
land that can not be utilised as any
future expansion of the course or
facilities. The client asked Tomlinson
& Carruthers to assess the site,
between the East Leigh Development and
the Riversdale community, and to design
and manage a subdivision maximising the
infrastructure and the coastal views.
The site presented several challenges.
Being at the base of a hill and on a
coastal plain, future development of the
site required a design mitigating the
effects on the stability of the slope and
the drainage of stormwater. Tomlinson
& Carruthers utilised a synergetic
approach to the design incorporating the
following features:
- A
reserve to act as an amenity
buffer between the existing
Riversdale community, golf course
and the coastal residential lots;
- Locating
the road to maximise the building
area of the lots, and minimise
the potential environmental
effects on neighbouring
residential lots beyond the site;
and
- A
building template to assist
purchasers with the development
of lots that maximise the coastal
views, privacy and stability of
the site while minimising the
environmental effects of
stormwater and wastewater.
Working
with geotechnical engineers, civil
engineers, architects and landscape
architects, Tomlinson & Carruthers
planned the subdivision to create a
greater degree of certainty for existing
residents of Riversdale and potential
residents so that any concerns are
adequately addressed at each stage of the
project.
Related Links:
Projects:Riversdale
Links
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page
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Scheme plan of the
subdivision overlaying an aerial
photograph.
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