SPATIAL UNDERSTANDINGS A Regional Study of Wellington’s Colonised Streams
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Initial Studies
Initial Accelerated Studies Photographic Descriptions
Conclusions 6-8 9
Research Refinement
Refining Study Areas Supporting Theory + Discussion Precedent Studies
12 13 14-15
Intensive Studies
2
Black Creek - Wainuiomata Situation + Context Typologies Assemblages + Conditions of Space
18 19 20-27
Owhiro Stream - Owhiro Bay Situation + Context Typologies Assemblages + Conditions of Space
28 29 30-41
Kaiwharawhara Stream - Kaiwharawhara Situation + Context Typologies Assemblages + Conditions of Space
42 43 44-53
Waiwhetu Stream - Lower Hutt Situation + Context Typologies Assemblages + Conditions of Space
54 55 56-69
Conclusions Works Cited + Further Reading
72 73
INTRODUCTION
SCOPE
INITIAL MAPS
Stream landscapes of New Zealand have seen a lot of neglect in the last century, many have been whittled down to their most maintainable state - slowly removing the stream from inclusion within the public life of communities. This study aims to analyse relevant streams in the Wellington Region in order to further question, and understand, the implications of the current stream-scapes, stepping outside the ecological world and into spatial understanding.
The following maps (pages 6-8) are very basic and are designed so that any reader may find and walk these landscapes to have a much more tangible understanding of this project. Access points and stream locators are provided on all maps as well as general location information.
The research holds its significance by keeping two feet on the ground ‘literally’ walking these spaces experiencing them and understanding them from a personal and theoretical position - in a goal to better peoples understanding of what the landscape affords the community, as it manoeuvres through the built landscape.
Key for Maps
All of the initial chosen study areas are based within Wellington Region to allow physical access.
X
Stream Selected for Further Research
X
Stream Removed from Further Research
RESEARCH STAGES Initial Accelerated Studies Rapid studies of initial chosen streams for research, giving a general idea of which streams have the potentials within them to be studied.
Access Point
Research refinement Refinement and review of the aims of this project, the study areas and theory behind the ideas the project discusses.
Stream Locator
Intensive Studies Thoroughly analysing the study areas chosen, walking them, drawing them, and discussing them. Conclusions Final conclusions based on research and theory including works sited/further reading.
3
1.0
INITIAL SITE STUDIES
4
5
INITIAL ACCELERATED STUDIES - 01
Initial Studies
Access Point
Stream
Access Point
Stream
Access Point
Kaiwharawhara Stream, Kaiwharawhara Access: Kaiwharawhara Road + School Road
A
Gilberd Bush Reserve, Newlands Access: Bayswater Place
B
Rona Street Stream, Eastbourne Access: Rona Street
D
Stream
Access Point Access Point
Stream
Access Point
Percy Scenic Reserve, Lower Hutt Access: Barberry Grove + Stanhope Grove
6
C
INITIAL ACCELERATED STUDIES - 02
Initial Studies
Access Point
Access Point
Stream Stream
Access Point
Hair Street Stream, Wainuiomata Access: Hair Street
E
Access Point
Black Creek, Wainuiomata Access: Best Street + Fitzherbert Road
F
Stream
Access Point
Stream
Waiwhetu Stream, Lower Hutt Access: Riverside Drive
G
Elliot Park, Brooklyn Access: Hoover Street
H 7
INITIAL ACCELERATED STUDIES - 03
Initial Studies
Access Point
Stream Stream Access Point
Access Point
Access Point
Owhiro Stream, Ohiro Bay Access: Happy Valley Road + Owhiro Bay Parade
I
Wrights Hill Reserve + Makara Peak Mountain Bike Park, South Karori Access: South Karori Road + Fitzgerald Place
J
Access Point
Access Point Stream Stream
Access Point
Access Point
Otari Wiltons Bush, Wilton Access: Wilton Road + Karori Cemetery
8
K
Central Park, Wellington City Access: Brooklyn Road
L
PHOTOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTIONS
Initial Studies
Kaiwharawhara Stream, Kaiwharawhara Access: Kaiwharawhara Road + School Road
A
Black Creek, Wainuiomata Access: Best Street + Fitzherbert Road
F
Rona Street Stream, Eastbourne Access: Rona Street
D
Waiwhetu Stream, Lower Hutt Access: Riverside Drive
G
Hair Street Stream, Wainuiomata Access: Hair Street
E
Owhiro Stream, Ohiro Bay Access: Happy Valley Road + Owhiro Bay Parade
I 9
2.0
RESEARCH REFINEMENT
10
11
REFINING STUDY AREAS
Research Refinement
INITIAL CONCLUSIONS
ACCESSIBILITY OF DOCUMENT
After completing the initial study process 6 streams where chosen for further analysis. These sites showed a variety of parts that correlated with what this study was looking for, including housing, streams and public space - they also provided the most potential to provide something more for the communities they ran through.
Each section will detail its location clearly so that further use of the findings are accessible - rather than creating a series of ambiguous diagrams the studies are real and spatially based on the ground, while allowing for further interactions and research with the material.
Initial conclusions and speculations found that: ----
Richness came with scales of space within one area. Richness and variety is found where surrounding users had more influence on the landscape The topographic relationships (between streams, public space and surrounding dwellings) are crucial in affording potential meeting between different environments.
INTENSIVE STUDY METHODOLOGY Four of the six streams chosen previously have been intensively studied giving the ability to go down to a level of detail that was tangible. The studying of these stream environments included:
MAPPING KEY (FOR SECTION 3.0)
Different scales of space in one environment.
Walking --
Walking the lengths of chosen streams and the environments that surround them in order to understand the sites at a level that is based from on the ground.
Two separate spaces in one environment.
Mapping ---
Creating large scale aerial maps that allow the landscape to be interpreted at a larger scale, which is more inclusive of the surrounding environment. Creating an assemblage of photos, sketches, aerials and notes to further understand the affects of the sites.
Defining Typologies/Reaches --
Understanding the sites in terms of typologies along the length of the streams - identifying points of change in environments in order to begin to understand the makeup of the landscape and its affect on a person.
Breakdown of Space --
12
Breaking down these typological reaches in order to understand and graphically explain the findings about the affects of the stream environments.
Two interrelated symbiotic spaces in one environment.
SUPPORTING THEORY + DISCUSSION
The complexity that comes with the issue of designing stream based landscapes spreads to every corner of the social, political and designedly worlds, and therefore the research potentials are extremely vast. Below is the beginnings of important theoretical that relate to these studies. Inequality Recently Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett created a collation of research discussing why equity is better for everyone. ‘The Spirit Level’ questions modern social issues in developed countries with astounding and irrefutable conclusions. Wilkinson and Pickett point out the pernicious effects and relationships that inequality has on societies, ranging from poor health through to lack of community life (Wilkinson and Pickett). This collation of hard statistics has shifted thoughts throughout the world, highlighting the huge effect inequality has on entire populations. “According to Wilkinson and Pickett, unequal societies with large wealth disparities are bad, not just for the impact poverty has on the poor, but for the well-off as well” (Lewis) In relation to this is the study of spatial inequality, a concept that is bridging sociologies pervasive interest in social inequality with concerns of uneven spatial development throughout nations (Lobao, Hooks and Tickamyer 3). It is about appreciating the spatial components of inequality and their consequences; understanding that there is a direct lack of development and resources dedicated to areas of poorer people, which has a harmful effect on the equality between adjoining societies. New Zealand is far from exempt to these issues, proven not only in the ‘Spirit Level’, but also in the obvious disparities between immediately neighbouring suburbs throughout the country. It is important to recognise New Zealand does not know how to spatially integrate low-income housing and infrastructures into society. We must learn how to work with these situations, the different people that reside within them, and the lack of money there is to achieve change. Streams hold a certain power in their environments, as they pass through entire suburbs, they create potential to improve poorer areas through their embedded structure. Public Territories, Well-being and Communities Physical, mental and cultural activities of human beings require amongst other things spaces for breathing and being inspired, spaces to linger, to amble, to dream, to play, to meet by intention or by chance (Council of Europe 4). These areas are seen as a vital factor for the well-being of individuals and the community. Therefore spaces without considered public spatial environments (like many of the neighbourhood areas based around Wellington’s streams) have little to build community on.
Research Refinement
Natural Environments The overwhelming positive effects a natural environment has on people of all cultural backgrounds is often tossed aside or maybe not completely understood. As we increasingly go urban, societies have become more disconnected to nature than ever before, with the effects of this not totally understood. The Ottawa Character for Health Promotion identified the importance of environments supportive of health – stating that the inextricable links between people and their environment are the basis for a socio-ecological approach to health (World Health Organisation). The central theme was the promotion of health by maximising the health values of everyday settings (Maller, Townsend and Pryor). These ideas have huge implications on landscape architecture and the substantial amount of research linking contact with natural environments to biological, mental, social and economic outcomes prove this concept of socio-ecology has a strong latent potential that needs to be considered. Streams have an enormous potential when related to this, they are existing dormant infrastructures throughout NZ suburbs waiting to be tapped into. Understanding Landscapes: Affordance and Thresholds The complexities embedded within a site are often generalised as the discipline seeks refuge in understanding landscapes as simplified processes, systems and performances. Understandings that do little to further the conception of how these spaces effect a person. Two concepts will be discussed below; affordance and the concept of landscape thresholds in the public-private realm. Conceptualising the link between the environment and the actor is at the heart of affordance. This idea understands that a landscape is a functioning dynamic space, realising that there is a reciprocal relationship between people and their environment. We shape a landscape so that it affords us something different, therefore a design needs to understand its affectual relationship with people. Zeleke discusses mounting evidence within studies of the human environment interaction, showing that the way people perceive and react to their environments is fundamentally the same for people of all cultures, thus ensuring a degree of validity to the idea (Zeleke 12). Hertzberger speaks of space and the territorial boundaries between public and private space, interpreting these concepts in the spatial terms of ‘collective’ and ‘individual’ realms (Hertzberger). Private space near surrounding residents is therefore seen as an extra dimension given to a public territory. Hertzberger claims this threshold provides the key to the transition and connection between areas, creating the spatial conditions for the meeting and dialogue between alternate areas (Hertzberger 32). Accepting this premise provides the conditions for privacy, while maintaining social contacts with others – ideas that provide building components of community. Hertzberger’s ideas of public/private environments are very relevant to stream-scapes and should constantly be explored.
13
Research Refinement
PRECEDENT STUDIES
Raised Sidewalk, Buneos Aires. Apollo School, Amsterdam. Saint Peters Square, Rome
Family Housing, The Hague By MVRDV
These examples explore how simple shifts in an environment can create a social space open to interpretation through organisation. In Buenos Aires this raised sidewalk becomes a place propagated for meeting, becoming an audience of the activity of the street, a wall to kick a ball against and so on... Similar environments are further seen at Apollo School and Saint Peters Square.
MVRDV has created a social housing project which avoids the propensity to default to a typical rowed prefab unit housing typology. Cutting and splitting these bars of prefabs created a shift into a more open garden-like environment, “It increased social diversity” (MVRDV). The project aimed to create an enormous series of crossviews that increase communication, open areas and social opportunities (MVRDV). In its economic restriction it seems as though a minimization of the infrastructure has led to a pedestrianised and social environment. Low, light hedges are used to divide properties while clusters form for larger plots that allow an ‘escape from the overwhelming density” (MVRDV). This project is an excellent example of low income housing that wishes to go beyond the front door - its internal structure and soft transitions between spaces seems to provide the ground for a social collective community. Although MVRDV has taken positive steps within this project, this project seems to be in isolation to the outside world, and questions may be asked about the ability for the community to create their own identity within such a distinctively characterised space.
SIT
SHELTER
14
BALANCE
PLAY
STRUCTURAL ORGANISATION OPEN TO PERSONAL/CULTURAL INTERPRETATION
Figures 1, 2, 3 (Hertzberger)
Figures 4, 5 (Houzz), 6 (Reinier de Jong)
Private Public
Soft boundaries allow for public-private relationships
Public Alternating placement and density of housing creates collective spaces for people to move to
Research Refinement
PRECEDENT STUDIES
Public Water Channel in Germany
Stream Daylighting Project in New Zealand
Public Water Channel in Peru
Stream in Japan
Canal in the Netherlands
Stream in the USA
Public Water Channel in India
Silverstream - Christchurch This project shows a typical design of a New Zealand housing-stream environment, the monotony of the landscape is obtrusive leaving little open to become responsive. There are certain positive aspects in relation to this design such as the orientation of streets - opening to the stream. In contrast to this the overall internal structure of the housing and the stream environment are so simple and singularly levelled, that they leave little to the imagination of the people within them.
European approach - keeping the living/private environment separate from the public space. Divided into two entities
Track connecting point to people Single focus point The stream environment is considered as a series/or a single destination point, disregarding the potentials of the rest of the landscape
REPETITIVE STREAM SECTIONS - SUPPRESSES CHARACTER
PRIVATE
PUBLIC
Figures 7, 8, 9 (Silverstream Estate)
Figures 13, 14 (Lisas Town) 15 (Construction and Council) 16 (Travel Blog), 17 (Kazetabi) 18 (Paradise in the World), 19 (Architizer), 20 (ABC News)
15
3.0
INTENSIVE STUDIES
16
17
BLACK CREEK 路 SITUATION + CONTEXT
Intensive Studies
Typology B
Typology C
2.0 km
Typology A
1.0 km
Pedestrian Crossing
0.5 km 0.0 km
Wa in
uio m
ata Roa d
Major Vehicle Crossing
18
BLACK CREEK 路 TYPOLOGIES
Intensive Studies
Main Road Bridge 344 Upper Fitzherbert Street Norfolk Street Bridge
0.0 km
0.5 km
Wainuiomata River
19
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY A Location: Northern reach of the stream between Norfolk Street bridge and Upper Fitzherbert Street. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:100 @ A3, 1:200 @ A4
288 Wellington Road
Section Cut
20
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Isolated space due to lack of access across water gives safety from trespassers and the potential for this area to become part of the adjacent property. Allowing the private to begin to manipulate the public space.
Relationship between the stream and surrounding landscape shows a severe gap in scale, where the intimacy of the stream is overpowered by its surrounding landscape.
PRIVATE REALM
PUBLIC REALM
PUBLIC REALM
Steep grade divides a link between east and west and access to stream.
Solid Fences divide links between private and public realms
Repetition of monotonous environment creates a lost sense of character that the public has no influence on
21
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY B Location: Northern reach of the stream between Norfolk Street bridge and Main Road Bridge. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:200 @ A3, 1:400 @ A4
12 Hyde Street
Section Cut
22
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Vegetation adds or removes privacy relationships between public and private environs.
PRIVATE REALM
Intensive Studies
ACCESS Access to the area are defined by parks or alley ways left between plots.
Space is enclosed by surrounding fences and dense vegetation.
1. PUBLIC REALM
PRIVATE REALM
2. Walkway Space 3. Lower Terrace
The contextual (mountains) aspects of the landscape become the main focus of the walkway environment, due to loss of interest in the foreground landscape and sheer scale. SCALES OF SPACE This area generally has three scales of space 1. Collective public realm of the stream/ creek corridor 2. The walkway space 3. Lower terrace environment Continued repetition of monotonous environment creates a lost sense of character that the public has no influence on
Each scale affords a different relationship with the stream environment, as well as a balance between privacy and being collectively part of the community environment.
Removed form the above walkway space, the grade and vegetation creates enclosure and a sense of privacy - thus changing the constructs and affects of the space.
23
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY C Location: Northern reach of the stream between Main Road Bridge and Wainuiomata River. Plan Scale: 1:200 @ A3, 1:400 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:100 @ A3, 1:200 @ A4
27 Stanley Street
Section Cut
24
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Public and private realms begin to inform one another and therefore the environment becomes much more diverse. Dense vegetation becomes a major informing factor for this environment. Allowing the public realm to not be dominated by surrounding private dwellings.
Private space spilling into the public realm.
PRIVATE REALM
PUBLIC - PRIVATE REALM
SCALES OF SPACE
Repetition of the landscape shifts as the private land has more influence on the landscape, creating a level of community and character within the environment.
The scale in this environment has entirely shifted in terms of its share size. The landscape has become much more intimate in this respect. This shift in size has meant the focus is turned on the immediate environment rather than the surrounding hills and the landscape ahead of a person.
25
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY C Location: Northern reach of the stream between Main Road Bridge and Wainuiomata River. Plan Scale: 1:200 @ A3, 1:400 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:100 @ A3, 1:200 @ A4
45 Stanley Street
Section Cut
26
BLACK CREEK 路 ASSEMBLAGE + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Vegetation on both sides of the stream separate the internal stream environment from external influence. Focusing all attention on the stream.
Topographic relationship allows movement down to the rivers edge.
1. PUBLIC REALM
3. Stream Edge
2. Walkway
SCALES OF SPACE Intimacy of the landscape continues but the relationship between the walking space and the stream shifts in terms of topography. The landscape creates three scales of space here, increasing the level of affordability within the stream environment.
27
OWHIRO STREAM 路 SITUATION + CONTEXT
Typology G
Typology F
Typology E
Typology D
Typology C
Typology B
Typology A
Hap
py V a
lley
son
Pedestrian Crossing
Rob ert
Mu
Stre
et
rch is
on
Stre
1.0 km
et
Typology H
Intensive Studies
Roa d
ad
Ro lley
y Va app
H
Ow
0.5 km
Major Vehicle Crossing
ay Pa ra d
e
0.0 km
0.25 km
Landfi ll Road
hir oB
28
OWHIRO STREAM 路 TYPOLOGIES
Intensive Studies
12 Domanski Crescent Reach Not Accessible End of Study Area
Happy Valley Road + Landfill Road Intersection Reach Not Accessible Happy Valley Road + Murchison Road Intersection
469A Owhiro Road 509 Owhiro Road 307 Happy Valley Road
0.0 km
0.25 km
23B Happy Valley Road
29
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY C Location: Between 12 Domanski Crescent and Happy Valley Road + Murchison Road Intersection. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
50 Domanski Crescent
Section Cut
30
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Steep topography and overhanging vegetation encloses the space - creating a smaller scale personal environment.
The open park space is divided from the stream due to the fence line and vegetation density. This creates the sense of privacy in below environment - but separates any connection between spaces.
PUBLIC REALM
PUBLIC REALM
SCALES OF SPACE There are two spaces within this environment. The above park and the stream below, this variety begins to add a richness that affords different potentials for people. These two spaces are not interrelated or informing one another, which creates an increased division between the spaces.
31
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
TYPOLOGY C Location: Between 12 Domanski Crescent and Happy Valley Road + Murchison Road Intersection. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
180 Happy Valley Road
Section Cut
32
Intensive Studies
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Car park puts space between the lower tier environment and the main public walkways - creating a separated individual space. Grade level difference between this space and the upper public realm forms a niche environment creating the potential for private social activities.
1. PUBLIC REALM
Topography allows access to the stream allowing people to interact with it.
2. Parking Space
3. Terrace
SCALES OF SPACE Although similar in typology to the previous page (32), this environment includes the stream into the larger public realm, while maintaining two scales of space.
33
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
TYPOLOGY E Location: Between Happy Valley Road + Landfill Road Intersection and 307 Happy Valley Road. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
277 Happy Valley Road
Section Cut
34
Intensive Studies
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
The stream has no physical connection to the public realm as steep banks and vegetation limits access. The stream acts as a divider of spaces that allows no fencing of the commercial property and therefore a stronger connection with the public environment.
The commercial property is open to the public realm forming a mutualistic relationship, where each realm influences one another affording potential for the adjoining environments and people to interact.
PRIVATE/COMMERCIAL REALM
PUBLIC REALM
DIFFERENT REALMS INFORMING EACH OTHER
35
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY F Location: Between 307 Happy Valley Road and 509 Owhiro Road. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:200 @ A3, 1:400 @ A4
South of 509 Ohiro Road
Section Cut
36
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Topography on either side of the spaces here is steep - pinching the landscape in the public realm giving a sense of contextual realisation (of being in a valley)
Re vegetation planting is slowly separating the public realm from the stream environment. The stream maintains no physical connection to the public realm as steep banks and vegetation limits access.
PUBLIC REALM
37
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY G Location: Between 509 Owhiro Road and 469A Owhiro Road. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
485 Ohiro Road
Section Cut
38
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Topography shift makes the stream become virtually more a part of the public environment and therefore there is not a sense of intruding on private space. Private and public realms begin to cross over affording opportunities for social meetings between spaces.
Stream becomes an accessible part of the public realm.
PUBLIC REALM
Private dwelling is set back into the hill - no fences make the building nonintrusive, but adds to the public space rather than focusing in on itself. PRIVATE REALM
SEMI-PRIVATE REALM
39
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY H Location: Between 469A Owhiro Road and the end of study area. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
378 Owhiro Road
Section Cut
40
OWHIRO STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
The relationship of the stream and the public space is completely separated by a main road - no longer affording potential to create new levels of space and interactions.
PUBLIC REALM
41
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 SITUATION + CONTEXT
Typology D
Typology C
Typology B
Typology A
0.5 km
1.0 km
Typology E
Intensive Studies
Major Vehicle Crossing
0.0 km
0.25 km
Pedestrian Crossing
42
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 TYPOLOGIES
Intensive Studies End of Study Area Near 101 Waikowhai Street
Trelissick Park Entrance Near 71 Kaiwharawhara Road 17 School Road
Hutt Road + School Road Intersection
0.0 km
0.25 km
Wellington Urban Motorway Not Accessible
43
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
TYPOLOGY A Location: Between Wellington Urban Motorway and Hutt Road + School Road Intersection. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
110 Hutt Road
Section Cut
44
Intensive Studies
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Stream environment is surrounded by parking areas. This creates a difficult environment for people to interact with the stream beyond a visual basis.
PUBLIC REALM
Parking acts as a dead space. This typology of activity excludes the stream from the public space.
45
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY B Location: Between Hutt Road + School Road Intersection and 17 School Road. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
7 Kaiwharawhara Road
Section Cut
46
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Native vegetation visually pull you towards the stream edge but vertical walls prevent physical access.
Stream environment enclosed by the adjacent hill and commercial buildings. Shifting the focus in on the immediate landscape.
PUBLIC REALM
47
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
TYPOLOGY B Location: Between Hutt Road + School Road Intersection and 17 School Road. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
17 School Road
Section Cut
48
Intensive Studies
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
The stream landscape is completely focused in on itself due to surrounding topography and large commercial buildings at its perimeters.
1. PUBLIC REALM
2. Walkway 3. Stream Edge
Steps create a new level of space that affords smaller scale relationships within the stream environment.
SCALES OF SPACE Two scales of spaces are created by the landscape, adding diversity to interactions possible with the environment.
49
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
TYPOLOGY C Location: Between 17 School Road and Trelissick Park Entrance (near 71 Kaiwharawhara Road). Plan Scale: 1:500 @ A3, 1:1000 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4
69 Kaiwharawhara Road
Section Cut
50
Intensive Studies
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Commercial space opens up to the public environment creating opportunities for the adjoining environments to interact and create richness.
Public space is broad and focuses a lot on its context due to a lack of smaller scaled spaces.
PUBLIC REALM
PRIVATE-COMMERCIAL REALM
51
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY D Location: Between Trelissick Park Entrance (Near 71 Kaiwharawhara Road) and the end of the study area (near 101 Waikowhai Street). Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
107 Ngaio Gorge Road
Section Cut
52
KAIWHARAWHARA STREAM · ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Public space focuses on both it’s context and the immediate landscape. The level of this focus is dependant on vegetation density, and topography and it’s relationship to the main open/ public space. 1. PUBLIC REALM
Difficult access makes the environment significantly more private and excluded from the above space.
2. Walkway
3. Lower Terrace
SCALES OF SPACE Topographic shifts and varying stream water levels create different scales of spaces.
53
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 SITUATION + CONTEXT
Typology B
Typology C
Typology D
Typology E
Typology F
2.0 km
Typology A
Intensive Studies
0.0 km
0.5 km
1.0 km
Major Vehicle Crossing
54
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 TYPOLOGIES
Intensive Studies
Hamerton Street Bridge 14 Hamerton Street
Bell Road Bridge Near 1-9 Bell Road South
Foci Shift in Typology 50 Wyndrum Ave
50 Waddington Drive
Waiwhetu Stream Mouth
0.5 km
41 Riverside Drive
0.0 km
Seaview Road Bridge Near 5 Port Road
55
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY A Location: Between Waiwhetu Stream Mouth and Seaview Road Bridge (near 5 Port Road). Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:200 @ A3, 1:400 @ A4
53 Port Road
Section Cut
56
WAIWHETU STREAM · ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Fences block smaller scaled relationships with the stream.
The industrial landscape diminishes the presence of variety in the landscape. Its spatial construct is narrowed down to one scale of space.
PUBLIC REALM
Monotonous texture and scale of space makes the stream difficult to relate to at a ‘human’ scale other than a visual one.
57
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
TYPOLOGY B Location: Between Seaview Road Bridge (near 5 Port Road) and Bell Road Bridge (near 1-9 Bell Road South). Plan Scale: 1:500 @ A3, 1:1000 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4
5 Quadrant Drive
Section Cut
58
Intensive Studies
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
The landscape opens up but the scale of space is still very singular and large. This creates an environment that concentrates on its surroundings.
PUBLIC REALM
Stream edges make it difficult to move to the stream edge and interact at a smaller scale.
Large grassed areas have diverse affordance value.
59
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY C Location: Between Bell Road Bridge (near 1-9 Bell Road South) and 41 Riverside Drive. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
11A Riverside Drive
Section Cut
60
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Space is divided from exterior environments due to the stop bank and vegetation.
PUBLIC REALM
PUBLIC REALM Long grass and boggy ground prevents certain relationships between people and the stream.
61
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY D Location: Between 41 Riverside Drive and 14 Hamerton Street. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
85 Riverside drive
Section Cut
62
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
1. PUBLIC REALM
2. Stream Bank 3. Edge
3. Edge
2. Stream Bank
SCALES OF SPACE Proportions and relationships between different landscape elements affords potentials for interaction at different scales.
Presence of wildlife and access to waters edge creates a new smaller scale of interaction.
63
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY D Location: Between 41 Riverside Drive and 14 Hamerton Street. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
45 Wyndrum Avenue
Section Cut
64
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Public space has a visual only relationship with the stream. The environment is open on one side to public space and the private realm on the other creating a sense of community through a comfortable balance between the two realms.
Intensive Studies
PRIVATE REALM
PUBLIC REALM
Sense of community is created by private space opening to the public environment.
65
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY E Location: Between Hamerton Street Bridge (near 14 Hamerton Street) and 50 Waddington Drive. Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
4 Balgownie Grove
Section Cut
66
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
Dense vegetation allows the space to become collective as a balance between public and private space is created. Ability for neighbours too see over fence creates a level of security. PUBLIC REALM
PRIVATE REALM
A sense of community is created in the public space due to an overlooking of the public space by a private realm.
67
WAIWHETU STREAM 路 ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
TYPOLOGY F Location: Between 50 Waddington Drive and the end of the study area (near 232 Naenae Road). Plan Scale: 1:400 @ A3, 1:800 @ A4 Section Scale: 1:150 @ A3, 1:300 @ A4
33 Shearer Crescent
Section Cut
68
WAIWHETU STREAM · ASSEMBLAGES + CONDITIONS OF SPACE
Intensive Studies
PUBLIC REALM The public and private interface is blocked by fences. These don’t allow environments to interact or influence one another. Stifling opportunities for new scales of space.
PRIVATE REALM
Concrete channel creates an environment for people to move along and interact with both the stream and other walkers.
69
4.0
STUDY CONCLUSIONS
70
71
CONCLUSIONS
KEY PRINCIPLES OF SPACE This piece of research searched for discoveries about stream environments and their relationship with the people within them, simultaneously it searched for methods to represent these environments at a detail that was at a scale of tangibility. Below are three principals of space that were discovered: Scales of Space Space is defined by scales, many stream environments become simplified down to one large scale of environment. These spatial environments are not tangible for more intimate meetings and interactions with the environment and people within them. When a space incorporates many scales of space in one environment the potential of interactions is much higher. Interacting Realms Public and private realms often are separated by hard fences or topography, when these territorial boundaries are broken down a mutualistic relationship is formed. These influence create new scales of space, a stronger character of space and a sense of communal relationships. Public-Private Balance/Harmony Both public and private realms hold certain affordance values to people in the landscape, as the dominance of one of these realms is established the space changes (e.g. privacy, sense of community etcetera). When there is an equal balance of both environments the greatest sense of being part of a community is established.
72
WORKS CITED + FURTHER READING
ABC News. “Indian heatwave continues.” June 2012. ABC News. Image. November 2014.
Watkin, Tim. “The Spirit Level reaches NZ - why freedom and equality are kin.” Pundit 2014 йил 19-11.
Architizer. “Queens Botanical Garden Visitor & Administration Center.” n.d. Architizer. Image. October 2014.
Wilkinson, Richard and Kate Pickett. The Spirit Level. London: Penguin Group, 2009.
Construction, HEB and Auckland Council. “La Rosa stream-daylighting. A first for Auckland, and future thinking.” n.d. Te Awaroa. Image. October 2014.
World Health Organisation. “The Move Towards a New Public Health.” nternational Conference on Health Promotion. World Health Organisation, Health and Welfare Canada, Canadian Public Health Association, 1986.
Council of Europe. Futuropa - For a new vision of landscape and territory. Belgium: Bietlot, 2 0 1 2.
Zeleke, Sinkneh. The Theory of Affordance as a Conceptual Tool for Landscape Design and Evaluation. Zhejiang Forestry University, n.d.
Future Learn. Exploring Play. 2014. 2014 йил 23-10. <https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/play/steps/16805/ progress>. Gibson, James J. The Ecological Approach to Visual Perception. Psychology Press, 1986. Hertzberger, Herman. Lessons for Students in Architecture. Rotterdam: Uitgeverij, 1991. Hoffman, Ben. Consequences of Inequality. n.d. 2014 йил 10-09. <http://www.closingthegap.org.nz/>. Houzz. “Dutch Architects Balance the Familiar and the Avant-Garde.” n.d. Houzz. September 2014. Huizinga, Johan. Homo Ludens. Boston: Beacon Press, 1955. Kahn, Andrea. “From the Ground Up: Programming the Urban Site.” The Havard Architectural Review (1998): 54-71. Kazetabi. “Road of Kyoto Philosophy.” n.d. Kazetabi. Image. November 2014. Lewis, David. “Greed is definitely not good.” Pundit 2009 йил 28-08. Linz Data Service. “Wellignton 0.3m Rural Aerial Photos (2012-2013).” n.d. Linz Data Service. Image. September 2014. Lisas Town. “Urban water conveyance: Freiburg Bachle.” July 2010. Lisas Town. Image. October 2014. Lobao, Linda, Gregory Hooks and Ann Tickamyer. The Sociology of Spatial Inequality. New York: State University of New York PRess, 2007. Maller, Cecily, et al. “Healthy nature healthy people: ‘contact with nature’ as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations.” Oxford Journals - Medicine and Health 21.1 (2005): 45-54. MVRDV. “Ypenburg.” n.d. MVRDV. Image. October 2014. Paradise in the World. “Amsterdam, the Heart of the Netherlands.” January 2013. Paradise in the World. Image. October 2014. Reinier de Jong. “Ypenburg.” n.d. Reinier de Jong. Image. September 2014. Silverstream Estate. n.d. Silverstream | Land for sale, Kaiapoi, Christchurch. Image. October 2014. Travel Blog. “Original Inca streets, walls, water channel.” n.d. Travel Blog. Image. October 2014.
73