DRAG

Kenepuru

Stacked Grappler balconies with vertical balustrades on a Summerset Kenepuru apartment building

At Summerset Kenepuru, Belcanto delivered New Zealand’s first Grappler balcony system: a fully modular, prefabricated solution that streamlined construction, reduced risk, and helped the project stay on time and on budget.

  • Products
    Grappler Balconies
  • Location
    Porirua
  • client
    Summerset New Zealand
  • Architects
    DGSE
  • Main Contractor
  • Completion
  • Project Type 
Grappler balcony with a porcelain tiled floor and vertical aluminium balustrade at Summerset Kenepuru
OFFSITE INNOVATION, ON-SITE PRECISION

After years of successful collaboration on balustrade systems, Belcanto introduced Summerset to a new approach for balconies – a fully modular solution. The landmark Kenepuru development provided the ideal opportunity to pilot Grappler balconies – transforming a traditionally complex building element into a neat, prefabricated solution.

‍

Adopting any new technology takes vision. Working closely with Summerset’s in-house design team, along with facade and structural engineers Oculus and Silvester Clark, Belcanto resolved the key challenges of bringing this offsite method to life for the first time in New Zealand. From the outset, the design intent remained central, adding features such as porcelain tiled floors and vertical balustrades while integrating HVAC and column cladding systems into the balcony design.

‍

By breaking the system into manageable modules, coordinating with installation specialists, and manufacturing complete balcony cassettes offsite, the team was able to reduce site timeframes and simplify sequencing. Installation was completed in a single coordinated operation, supported by precision crane lifts and close collaboration with the main contractor.

‍

The result: faster delivery, reduced risk, and a complete balcony system that upholds architectural and structural quality – marking a milestone in offsite delivery for large-scale residential projects.
‍

‍

Find out more

To learn more about Grappler balconies or how offsite systems can streamline your next development, contact our expert team.

Stacked Grappler balconies with vertical balustrades on a Summerset Kenepuru apartment building
Grappler balcony with a porcelain tiled floor and vertical aluminium balustrade at Summerset Kenepuru

To learn more about Grappler balconies or how offsite systems can streamline your next development, contact our expert team.

Summerset Kenepuru retirement village in Porirua, with Grappler prefabricated balconies across the facade
Resident's view from a Grappler balcony through a vertical balustrade at Summerset Kenepuru

Products used

No items found.
Related Case Studies

Resido Sylvia Park

Angled fins and durable finishes delivered a refined, low-maintenance balustrade solution that balanced privacy, openness and longevity across a high-density, high-turnover residential environment.

View case study
Resido Sylvia Park's three apartment towers in Auckland, lined with build-to-rent balustrades in vertical aluminium fins.
Related Case Studies

Community Lane Kāinga Ora Senior Housing

Belcanto could move quickly, sort the detailing, deliver the PS1s, and just take care of the whole package so we could get on with the rest of the build.

View case study
Community Lane in Avondale, Auckland, where five apartment buildings share Attaché Affinity balustrades and screens.
Related Case Studies

IKEA Sylvia Park

Close to a kilometre of Attaché balustrading designed, fabricated and installed in-house for New Zealand’s first IKEA store.

View case study
Attache balustrade installed on the exterior staircase of an IKEA building
Related Case Studies

The Ridge – Kepa Road

We installed 42 balconies in a single 18-hour window, proving the speed and certainty of the Grappler system.

View case study
Related Case Studies

Kenepuru

We made sure New Zealand’s first Grappler project started and finished on time, to budget and in one go.

View case study
Stacked Grappler balconies with vertical balustrades on a Summerset Kenepuru apartment building
Related Case Studies

High Commission of India

By far the most complex and satisfying facade element design and build we have completed.

View case study
High Commission of India in Wellington, wrapped in a tracery screen of twisting aluminium facade fins
Related Case Studies

Bader Ventura

A pioneering development that combines simple form with lasting performance, raising the standard for public housing.

View case study
Bader Ventura in Māngere, Auckland: Kāinga Ora apartments with Affinity balustrades and aluminium screens
Related Case Studies

Bupa Crofton Downs

A fine example of thoughtful design incorporating colour and form to create a subtle visual elegance.

View case study
Black aluminium balustrade with slatted infill on a residential balcony overlooking bush covered hills
Related Case Studies

59 France Street

Belcanto’s team delivered a sharp, clean aluminium balustrade system with a quick fabrication turnaround – just eight weeks from initial engagement to first delivery on site.

View case study
Related Case Studies

30 Madden

Prefabricated for precision, the minimalist system simplified junctions and saved install time – supporting a refined architectural finish.

View case study
Related Case Studies

111 DXN

Fully prefabricated balconies with integrated balustrades enabled up to 10 installs per day, reducing urban disruption and demonstrating the value of early planning and smart logistics.

View case study
Close up of white perforated metal balconies and slim white balustrades projecting from a high rise building facade against a clear blue sky
Related Case Studies

Tuatahi Apartments

Over 1200 metres of fin-style balustrade were delivered with design continuity, refined detailing and precise coordination — supporting Tuatahi’s elevated aesthetic and long-term durability.

View case study
Brick apartment buildings with black balustrades on each balcony, overlooking a landscaped courtyard with a pool
Related Case Studies

Bernoulli Gardens

A fully customised aluminium balustrade balanced cost, performance and architectural intent, enabling fast, precise installation and supporting Ockham’s commitment to quality, design-led housing.

View case study
Close up of a black vertical bar balustrade fence beside a brick building, with greenery in the foreground
Related Case Studies

Frame Apartments

Custom-designed for high wind performance, Belcanto’s facade elements were delivered on the required date, enabling smoother construction sequencing and helping shape the tower’s distinctive architectural expression.

View case study
High rise balcony with frameless glass balustrade overlooking a harbour, stadium, and hills
Related Case Studies

Arlington Apartments

Ground-level balustrade pre-installation streamlined on-site work, lifting safety and efficiency, while early collaboration ensured cost-effective design outcomes for this high-impact public housing project.

View case study
Close up of black perforated metal balustrade panels on a rooftop deck, with a construction crane and city building in the background
Related Case Studies

Oxford Terrace Kainga Ora

All 24 balcony installations were completed in three days. The design and installation were very straightforward.

View case study
Oxford Terrace community housing in Lower Hutt, with Grappler balconies across three floors of one-bedroom apartments.
Related Case Studies

Latitude Residences

Awarded for design and liveability, Latitude demonstrates the impact of well-executed balustrade systems on multi-residential architecture.

View case study
Multi storey apartment building with black cladding and frameless glass balustrades on each balcony, photographed at golden hour with trees in the foreground
Related Case Studies

Metlifecare Gulf Rise Village

Modular Grappler balconies at Metlifecare Gulf Rise improved speed, cost-efficiency and quality, simplifying the construction process.

View case study
Multi storey apartment building with brown perforated slat balustrades on white cantilevered balconies, surrounded by newly landscaped gardens and pathways

Our clients and partners

What Our Clients say

The brief for the Resido Apartments was for a balustrade design that met all of the client’s design intents. This included balcony privacy, a fast build programme and a timeless aesthetic – simple, clean and crisp. The Belcanto system delivers that beautifully.

James Daulton, Project Architect
ASHTON MITCHELL

Balconies can be time-consuming, involving multiple trades. Coordinating all these elements can be a challenge for contractors. The Grappler system addressed this at Gulf Rise Village by handling all construction in the factory, ensuring quality control and simplifying the process with a single warranty.

Mark Crean, Project Architect
IGNITE ARCHITECTS

At Metlifecare Gulf Rise, Belcanto fixed 12 balcony units in a single day. The system allows us to complete the facade sooner, bringing down the scaffolding up to a month earlier, which accelerates work on adjacent civil and landscaping projects. It’s refreshing when something just works as planned, without any issues.

Garyth Jones, Project Manager
NZ STRONG

We’ve now used the Grappler system on three buildings for Metlifecare. Our client saw the value in how it reduced risk to the envelope design while delivering significant speed and cost savings. It’s proven to be a real success.

Mark Crean, Director of Living Environments, Aged Care
IGNITE ARCHITECTS
Downloads

Book a presentation

Explore a better way to design and deliver all your architectural facade features.

Get in touch