TRANSFORMATIVE + TRANSITIONAL APPROACH

The Plan recognises that the civic area will likely be developed in stages. Those stages result in a range of transformational opportunities and transitional needs to:

• ensure that the area is not seen as negative - peoples’ experience of the place can negatively affect a wide area around the site - this affects business activity

• consider interfaces of different spaces around the site for different responses - what will work to make the Court relationship feel positive may be different than the bus stopping area for example.

• introduce temporary and dynamic activities to the area to both excite and inspire interest and enthusiasm for this significant community project.

• enable reuse of existing structures (for example if the old library frame is to be retained and made structurally sound) or new temporary structures to support a range of activities in this area. These could be

‘working’ spaces where crafts people can make or produce products, or could be set up to allow for elements of the new buildings to be constructed on site, making a connection between the community and their future building and giving work opportunities for artists and others.

• Use the spaces created temporarily to allow for trialling new ways of arranging library and community hub activities. Some of these could be carried through into the new structure too - making transformative space that can be adapted and changed to try new interpretations of experiences that can be had.

• be deliberately programmed (and budgeted) to happen with a champion (potentially contacted by Council) to choreograph the spaces and temporary or transformative uses. Using local artists and events programming capability should be considered.

FIGURE 67: PERFORMING Spaces can be left relatively empty to inspire impromptu performance. The Dance-o-Mat in Christchurch allowed public to plug their devices in and play music out loud to bring energy into the central city.

FIGURE 70: EVENTS Empty spaces provide great opportunity freely accessible art exhibitions. Light boxes are a way of providing a safe space by bringing light and activity to otherwise dark and unused spaces. opportunity for economy - pop up stalls, markets, craft activities can all occur within transitional spaces that allow new enterprises to try out. Re-used materials can be both fun, local identity, and reflect sustainable practice.

FIGURE 73: CRAFTING THE BUILDING The construction of a large building takes years and in elements of it could be fabricated on site, or elements of interior could be made in spaces at the site to demonstrate craft and showcase the craft process

FIGURE 68: GROWING

The temporary Griffiths Gardens were placed at the future site of Auckland’s Aotea Station as a shared vision between Awhina Mai Tatou Katoa and For the Love of Bees, hosting gardening classes in the city.

FIGURE 71: ECONOMY

FIGURE 74: DIY Allowing people to make their own space configuration with moveable elements, tools on site and with some guidance.

FIGURE 69: PLAYING

Temporary play spaces in city centres provide inclusivity for younger people in places which are not typically designed for them.

FIGURE 72: REUSE

FIGURE 75: CHANGING PERCEPTIONS Empty shop fronts on Auckland’s High Street which were causing anti-social behaviour used window decals from the Te Paparahi, Toi Māori publication along with chairs to activate the space.