The brief from HNZ was for a robust, low maintenance palette of materials. The scheme uses two different colours of brick which are used within each building to accentuate and express the bays and articulation of the façade. The use of brick also connects back to the local history of brick making.

In order to reduce the apparent height of the 5 storey buildings in particular a steel-clad mansard type roof has been employed. This will form cladding and roof at L3 of the 3 storey blocks, and L4 and5 of the 5 storey blocks.