Queens Square Apartments

Outdoor spaces to instil a sense of community

As Aucklanders embrace higher-density living, we need some sleek design products to soften acoustics. Rubber flooring by Advance makes a stylish and durable option.

Queens Square in Auckland comprises 231 freehold apartments and nine retail shops wrapping around a private landscaped urban courtyard. The L-shaped tower, designed by Leuschke Group Architects, is in the heart of the city on Queen Street.

To help instil a sense of community, the designers created generous outdoor areas and an indoor heated pool and gym, complete with a concierge and secure lift access. People can meet and mingle, relax, exercise and enjoy the planted areas, all protected and enhanced by Neoflex recycled rubber flooring, supplied by Advance.

Dynamic open-air access routes made safe and quiet

The apartment building is designed as a vertical community with dynamic open-air access routes. A sculptural stairway and breezeways between blocks create ‘bump’ spaces for the apartment community to interact, get exercise using the stairs, and enjoy the view across the central green space. These open-air access routes required a good acoustic flooring surface, and the solution was Neoflex recycled rubber flooring, supplied by Advance.

The apartment developer has used exterior rubber flooring on previous projects, so knew its benefits with regards to acoustics and anti-slip. Queens Square is situated in the city’s theatre and restaurant district, and with several Airbnb-let apartments, too, there are regular comings and goings after hours. The rubber flooring deadens footstep sounds, providing a welcome alternative to ceramic tiles or concrete.

With safety an imperative, Neoflex rubber flooring was specified without FreshFinish sealer to provide a slip-resistant surface that surpasses NZBC standards and reduces the risk of slips and falls, even in wet conditions. Residents and visitors are protected, and the rubber flooring requires very little maintenance to keep it performing and looking great.

Hard-wearing recycled rubber ensures that surfaces will last

For developers, long-term performance is key, especially with flooring products. At Queens Square, the choice of Neoflex recycled rubber flooring has proved ideal for creating outdoor living spaces where residents can enjoy themselves in comfort and safety without disturbing others.

Neoflex has green credentials, too: it is made from recycled rubber door and window seals reclaimed from automotive and joinery manufacturers. This EPDM rubber has excellent weathering qualities and is UV resistant – even in black. While tyre rubber deteriorates in exterior locations over time, Neoflex maintains its performance and style over the long term and is competitively priced.