Book2 yukchipang archdes700

VINICULTURE AND THE CITY AN URBAN WINERY BY: YUK CHI PANG ARCHDES 700- SEMESTER ONE 2014 SUPERVISORS: CHRIS BARTON, RAPHAELA ROSE, LUDO CAMPBELL- REID, PIP CHESHIRE AND NAT CHESHIRE

THE SITE (PERSONAL EXPERIENCE): My notes taken from March 8- 12 at 11- 19 Customs Street, Auckland City. This was a genuinely pivotal and intriguing space within the confines of Auckland’s Central Business District. Complex sequences alter the subjectivity and question the true identity of the space. I came out of the space, itching to incorporate the recollected images from the site, into a piece of architecture, with a plate of fragrant pasta, pinot noir, a notebook and a fresh rotring.

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Site Aura: adjoins to four skyscrapers horde the given site. (HSBC House, Zurich House, PwC Tower and AMP Centre.) These

towers neglect the site by stripping day lighting and allowing the space to be prone to heavy breeze.

Intensity: Varies throughout specific moments in time. Throughout the day, space is particularly mundane yet the pedestrians • provide an unmatched vitality. During the night, space is characteristically barren, unless the nightlife becomes activated. With the activation, space becomes a vivacious central rendezvous for the masses.

Population: A diverse and expansive series of spaces allow the people to invariably define through fixed times. Primarily, worka• day people cross the site in order to satisfy their personal repertoire, usually without hesitation or pause. With the hordes of characters , the spaces sustains an immediate poise, without being overwhelming.

• Regionality: A myriad of buildings with a focus on defining youthfulness. Heritage buildings have taken a more background role, with newer buildings boldly disconnecting with the old whilst others beginning to hybrid and retrofit the old. A dense and robust formal lexicon within the terroir • Attractions: Site offers a focal point for impromptu performers and vendors. Crowds form and variegate the space, filling it with life and stalling time. Stores vary between high end clothing and fine dining throughout the precinct. These places have facades replicating the past, with a youthful abundance internally. One must vividly enter each space to appreciate the ways transition is communicated • Connectivity: Invariable links to buses, trains, taxi and ferry services. The fleets of ground level transport instantaneously pollutes the colour, sights and smell of the space whereas subterranean alternatives conceal and hides this pollution. The armada of naval transport provides grace and delicacy in an otherwise uncompromising environment • Proximity: Despite the clutter of vehicles and buildings, there is potential to utilise the Waitemata harbour view and newer attractions (Silo Park, Vector Arena, Takutai Square, Britomart Precinct). The smell of fine dining lingers throughout the Britomart space, noticeably fresh cuisine (noticeably seafood and crusted fries) and stewing coffee. These smells then intertwine with the staleness and potentially toxic whiffs of transport. Apertures to the picturesque sea are created through the inter-junction of people, vehicles, streets and buildings. A full on walking experience throughout the space reveals an abundance of profound senses and allows for enigmatic voyages in space and time.

Diagram outlining the proximity between the site, and the built environment. An awareness into the built environment and nearby views and overarching atmosphere within the site.

VARIOUS SKETCHBOOK NOTES FROM SITE VISIT 21/03/2014, WITH GYLES BENDALL. - How can we, as designers utilise the space?

-Creation of public areas, that sensibly deal with property owners - Understanding the challenges of the parameters of bus. Weight? length? frequency?

-Shared spaces decrease motorist numbers, activates pedestrian circulation and promotes economic growth with businesses in the vicinity - Whilst building shared spaces, it may take periods between 6-8 months.

Ensuring business are still operational is critical -Ensure positive conditions through hospitality, retail environment that compliments shared spaces. There needs a pull that is not noisy -North South stitch is being considered to attach the city to the waterfront.

A gateway to the waterfront, which will become more pedestrian friendly -How can we relocate previous bus stops, whilst still maintaining efficiency?

-The image of the city to promote and sustain a pedestrian friendly environment, rather than the current car dominated city. This is to be conducted in constructional phases -The cruise ship is likened to fuel. It provides a commodity and growth of the city. It is a major economic benefit -Queens Wharf is a temporary location. Over time it will develop. Council has plans to open it up and allow people to “touch” the harbour (physical/ mental?)

-Utilise strong boulevards, taking precedence from Britomart precinct -Queen Elizabeth Square has a weak identity of space. Poor environment (shaded, cold, barren) -Need to understand how buses circulate. Currently Queen Street ends at Customs Street. How can we extend Queen Street into the harbour?

-How can we propose a strong edge?

How will intervention respond and deal with existing buildings -Lower Albert Street: Aim to become bus only lanes -Utilise the great views of the harbour, but be wary of compromising Upper Albert Street views -How can we integrate the ferry terminus into a human scale, and make cohesion with the city?

-City Rail Link joins up to Mayoral Drive and to proposed Aotea station.

Underground trenching, estimated to span 5-6 years of construction -Internal Politics: any ideas you come up with, “multiple fun of specialists” and “always a compromise” -Public stakeholders (public sector). Everybody uses the city. It is their desires, their property, and their livelihood. Design for their needs.

-Politicians require internal consensus. They are over-arching figures and influences in development.

After the exhaustion of sitting at the viaduct waterfront, under the glaring Auckland sun for a late Friday afternoon studio session, I decided to trek back towards the site to find further direction for my design. To my surprise, I noticed a small wine store located opposite the DFS Galleria store. I immediately knew I had to converse with the shopkeeper, to find a clearer relationship between wine and the city. This had to be done to understand the relationship from a professional, rather than that of an observer. During the weekend, I deliberated a few key questions and on the following Monday, I visited the store, equipped with a new black pigment pen, a sturdy notebook and an optimistic mind set.

I stepped inside and was completely surprised by the two giant chandeliers within the store. The shelved walls, organised by the diverse wine types took me completely by surprise. These wines were largely products of New Zealand, with sensitivities of Australian and European blends. Interested, I introduced myself and told the shopkeeper about my design proposal for a winery and immediately, she became keen, but very cautious on answering a few questions, as she probably felt I had questionable motives, especially at around 11am (Al Dente’s opening time) In retrospect, I feel like there may be communication errors within the interview, however, I am very confident that these comments are interpreted correctly.

Initially I asked when was Al Dente Wines established, and to tell me a little history of about the store. It had been a small business that was transferred through generations. The shopkeeper however has only been working for the last two years.

Moving forward, I asked the shopkeeper of Al Dente Wines, with the current proposals to add a city rail link, and the conversion of the Downtown shopping mall into a 41- storey tower block? She looked in surprise, and seemed taken aback by that huge proposition. I had to quickly reiterate that this was part of my design project, and that I wasn’t going to shut down her store, for safety measures. It seems it wasn’t needed as she felt that it would definitely boost the image of the boutique and also Auckland as a whole. It would be a great “opportunity” to get people into the heart of Auckland and build upon Auckland’s image.

The next question I asked was which demographic of people does this shop sell to? She simply replied “mainly tourists.” Al Dente was increasingly becoming a tourist exclusive destination, without intention. She explained that the primary sellers are foreigners. Predominantly Asian tourists and seafarers, that came in during Fridays and Saturdays, especially during cruise and summer seasons.

I thanked her for her co-operation, shook her hand and left with a myriad of thoughts. I felt wine was an increasingly universal language, as it connects the many people of the world, through the distribution and transaction of the product. It is in a way, like art. The various types and diverse flavours create subjectivity within the masses of consumers.

Furthermore, I felt that to further my project I needed to delve into the initiatives that Auckland and New Zealand has set in respect to the tourist industry. I primarily wanted to understand the ambitions of the tourism scene. The directional change should provide an added richness, and a stronger reason as to the urbanisation of a winery.

I wanted to pose an architectural tangent, from a single use urbanised winery from the first presentation to a multi-use space (with the focus still being a wine production facility) and look at reviving the tourism scene, through an architectural intervention, and the urban additions outlined from the City Centre Masterplan 2012 document from the Auckland Council

“The Waterfront”

“The Engine Room”

SITE (IN ACCORDANCE TO CITY CENTRE MASTERPLAN 2012): In accordance to the City Centre Masterplan 2012 document by the Auckland City Council, 11- 19 Customs Street is located in the threshold between ‘The Engine Room’ and ‘The Waterfront.’

The Engine Room: Vital and viable core for Auckland City’s, especially with the reactivation of the Britomart precinct through transport, business and accommodation developments. Significance is created through the investment and regeneration of heritage buildings within the vicinity. The aim of this place is utilise its resources to make it an urban 24/7 attraction The Waterfront: Redeveloping the waterfront to provide a physical link to Waitemata. Want to activate with an emphasis on improving of mixed use and operation of marine industry (fishing, biotechnology, research) Currently, it serves as a high end promenade that caters to luxury boats, dining and retail with historical elements (heritage, reclaimation of land) intact.

CHALLENGES FOR AUCKLAND CITY MOVING FORWARD FROM LECTURE BY LUDO CAMPBELL-REID AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH CITY CENTRE MASTERPLAN 2012 DOCUMENT:

Planning for growth Affordable living is difficult in city centre regions Children and Elderly need to be included in urban developments Genius Loci of Auckland is the “Engine Room” sector. Because of this, newer establishments could get hollowed out Auckland does not stay up at night. This means as soon as office workers/ students leave, they don’t stay around within the city

Weak Connectivity to Suburbs Ponsonby, Devonport, Freemans Bay and Parnell are dispositioned from city centre, in topography, vehicle access and pedestrian access.

Needs upgrade of urban infrastructure and public transport to accommodate the growth of the city, especially from these peripheral sectors

Disconnected Waterfront Quay Street and Fanshawe Street are wide, often congested yet pivotal to the circulation of Auckland’s CBD especially to the Engine Room.

These roads restrict the connectivity between the harbour and the city, and will need tinkering

Restricted Transport Network The prominent mode of transport throughout the Auckland region is the use of the automobile. This results in a hegemonic relationship over the pedestrian. City streets become inefficient, inconvenient and dangerous. City Rail link is seen as a primary change as Auckland lacks the resources to further develop vehicle needs

A need for connectivity in public transport The foundation for city links are set, but there are faults (especially in efficiency and frequency to and from CBD)

Development of open spaces within city, especially with pedestrian priorities Dislocation of open spaces within the city has a lack of connectivity between one another. This is insufficient to create an open space network layer within the city

Dislocation of city amenities Poor infrastructure and design rationale for the pedestrian discourages pedestrians from engaging with city amenities, which are often scattered throughout Auckland.

Inability to salvage Heritage Architecture Heritage infrastructure should be considered in the growth of Auckland City. Auckland’s rich heritage, dating back to Maori settlers is part of Auckland’s history.

Social Infrastrucutre Requirements Support current and future residents by providing social amenities. Improving the minimum standards of living and amenities for the most disadvantaged

Environmental Sustainability A focus on green growth in the city. Integration of low carbon, energy resilient solutions. Auckland requires opportunities that look into sustainable resource usage, implementation of green growth (eco-economy), reduction in fossil fuels through energy efficient public transport alternatives and quality construction methods such as building retrofitting, localised energy production methods.

City Centre as a Distinctive Genius Loci Although Auckland is dispersed into separate regions, the City is a centralising environment in the midst of these regions. The city to be more culturally significant and entertaining to cater for the visitor.

The Princes and Queens Wharf, and its position and visibility in relation to the site.

AUCKLAND CRUISE SHIP INDUSTRY:

The New Zealand Cruise Industry Long term growth of cruise industry is expected to continue, especially since the last eight years, as the frequency of cruise voyages and passenger arrivals have increased. The annual terms of cruise arrivals start in early October and continue until May. Regional dispersal of visitors is substantial, as there is an average of 5-6 port calls, per voyage.

Research conducted by New Zealand tourism agency shows that cruise created $310 million during the 2012-13 annual report and 40% of cruise visitors willing to return to New Zealand at a later date.

To accommodate the growth of tourist populations arriving from cruises, incentives are required to improve their stay. To expand Auckland as an exchange hub and to push for Oceanic destinations to become integrated within the Asian travelling circuits. These objectives by Tourism 2025 mutually correlate with the ideas presented by Ludo Campbell-Reid, in regards to the Auckland City Centre Masterplan 2012.

To cater for sea faring visitors, there needs to be a responsive need to create better human scale experiences and desirable facilities. This is to generate a perceptive catalyst to attract increased staying and spending influence. Currently, fly and cruise visitors spend around $1100 per visit.

As cruise lines increase, especially in Auckland, so too does the rate of air travel increase. Research conducted by Tourism 2025 shows that 32% of cruise visitors travelled in and out of New Zeland during their 2012-13 annual reports.

Ports of Auckland Association An internal group that supervises the heritage, resources, communication and operations of the Auckland ports. They are responsible for freighting and cruise line timetables, but not public or private transport in the ports (i.e. ferries, personal yachts). In a sense, they facilitate the docking procedures of international fleets (cargoes, crane, delivery), whilst keeping an environmentally engaging relationship with the Auckland waterfront.

The benefits of New Zealand’s cruise industry -Increasing source of visitor value and direct expenditure.

-Excellent seasonal and regional disperser. The many tourists have the freedom to roam New Zealand, during the spectrum of climates she has to offer.

Evaluation The Tourism 2025 proposal questions how can we create greater cohesion to capitalise on the growth of the worldwide cruise scene, especially in a way where it can meet the requirements outlined in the Tourism 2025 manifesto? With the need of higher standard environments to attract visitors, what are some potential interventions Auckland City (in collaboration with the assistance of numerous proposals from the City Centre Masterplan 2012 and the Ports of Auckland association) can achieve to tailor the city to the sea faring passenger?

The City Rail Link, Quay Street and Queen Street Developments play a complimentary, yet pivotal role in activating my propsed design. The proximity and repertoire of these developments can make the proposed urban winery a better public experience, as well as assisting city centre masterplan ideals.

CONNECTIVITY BETWEEN CITY CENTRE MASTERPLAN PROPOSALS AND THE SITE: The redevelopment of Quay Street, Queen Street upgrade and the City Rail Link are all proposals within the proximity of the Customs Street site. These interventions announced by the Auckland City Council are intended to energize the urban facilitation of the city. These developments will play a co-operative role and act as players in creating a seamless threshold between “The Engine Room”, “The Waterfront” and the greater Auckland region.

Quay Street harbour Edge Boulevard: The removal of cluttered vehicle roads will give way to a re-energized walkway, cycleways and integrating a light rail system. Improving the walkability will provide picturesque and attractive links to Silo Park, Naval voyages to and from the city centre and fine dining and retail opportunities. A vibrant locale, oozing with the potential of intermingling local and global lives, which plugs in to the Green link.

The urban winery will provide a transitional link that will function as a congregation space within this new arterial road. An urban piazza, which will be of greater engagement to the public realm than the current Queen Elizabeth II Square.

Queen Street Revitalisation: The weekend markets are teaming with stalls and vendors, selling their personal goods. Distinct foods like farmer’s cheeses and vegetables from personal gardens will be on display. The crowds, arriving from all over Auckland and New Zealand are yearning to see and purchase the finest local produce the city residents have to offer. The smells of freshly roasted coffee, grilled pork and toasted bread intertwine in the atmosphere. The vibrant colours of the vegetables vary from stall to stall, making selections plentiful.

The winery will provide a hub which complements the customer’s experience. The sale of wine can be done, and as the customer takes a perilous uphill walk to further vendors, the wine will keep him/ her relatively sane and calm. The vendors will allow rigorous tasting of the diverse wines New Zealand and the World has to offer.

On a regular day, Queen Street is the hub of ideas and dialogue for the people of Auckland.

Pedestrians swarm to partake in the choreography of the city. The shops are packed, the restaurants are full and the winery will provide extra provisions for high quality retail and gastronomy.

The picturesque views towards the harbour are especially satisfying as the deep sunsets, the armada of yachts, the mystical sea and the crisp pinot noir combine to create the ultimate Auckland pleasure. On top of retail provision, it can provide an entertaining destination for families (and lovers) to indulge in the intimate dialogue that is quality wine.

City Rail Link: A hidden trail that will distribute the many people of Auckland to and from the city. The trains will link from the historically grand Britomart station into the underground catacombs of the winery, and head outwards concealed under Albert Street. The distinctive link between the two will represent the dialogue between Auckland’s heritage and contemporary ideals.

The subterranean connection will guide visitors to and from the alternative city neighbourhoods to the inner city hustle and bustle, at an efficient duration and price.

THE SOCIAL LIFE OF SMALL URBAN SPACES (1988) BY WILLIAM H. WHYTE “Diversity of activity attracts people to a specific outdoor space like a piazza. The piazza should promote sociability. Groups of two and three Keep plazas at street level as pedestrian action occurs at street level. Rockefeller Centre has an ice rink. This provides an added entertainment for pedestrians and can focus pedestrians into viewing. people are prevalent, and mixed with a good number of individuals. Piazzas provide a backdrop for people to observe each other” - A place that is ideal for the attraction of crowds, and allows interperson activities.

“Let steps become mezzanines.”

Stairs are opportunities to integrate space and circulation “Use of water features within the city attracts people” -The waterfront provides a relaxing environment, yet underwhelmingly disengaging relation with the pedestrians. Currently, it serves as a main “Odd people such as vagabonds and crack whores remind passerbys of sanity.” arterial passage for vehicles and is prone to clogging and pollution (sound, air).

- The city is not only restricted to only

“Street Corners are environment for impromptu conversations. For conversation to occur, eye contact must be determined.”

-Utilisation of street corners can provide nodes that attract random interactions

“Spaces with trees, without a view towards a specific central focus are desirable spaces for the pedestrian.”

- Vegetation and centrality are pivotal aspects in the procurement of fine urban space

“Forward facing ledges provides easy spaces for people to walk, sit and wait” - Orientation of ledges provides easement for pedestrian activity. Forward facing will attract eye contact between users “The understanding of the choreography of people is the ultimate test of design.”

-(Acknowledging and respecting people’s repertoire.) Understanding their body form (shapes), movements, speeds, frequency and language are essential clues in involving the choreography of people

“Fences and walls will trap passerbys.”

-They will dictate circulation

In the unfortunate event of crime, surveillance camera will never be as concise as human eye witnesses.

- Eye contact is an imperative communication in the confines of a city

“People enjoy sunlight.”

-During Whytes findings, there is a correlation between the position of sunlight and the gathering positions of people. Sun is important in nippy areas as the warmth will thermally protect users from wind. The absence of light is detrimental to the activation of a space. The dark nature of a space will draw users away as they can sense potential danger. To distribute light, one option is to clad buildings with materials that possess a reflective, refractive and transparent qualities.

“People also love water.”

“Plazas work within their own set of specific parameters. The size of the piazza is important in attracting people, in addition to the quantity of -Water is a wonderful yet precious amenity within the city. The sounds are relaxing and the noise can deafen the hustle of the city. Let sit-able spaces. People tend to sit where there are specific places to sit, whether it be a chair, bench or oversized stair.”

- People want to sit, at specified furniture.

Small benches are socially awkward as they can be seen as a last resort.

-An inhuman substitution for a chair

people interact and use the water. By making water accessible, the space becomes fun for users

“Vegetation within the city creates a microclimate.”

-The shade of the trees prevents glare and has cooling benefits, especially in hot days. Trees grown in clusters create an added organic circulation and interactions within the city.

“Moveable chairs let people decide where they want to sit, whereas immovable chairs force people to sit at a constant position. Immovable seating are unstable seating options as they do not meet many social demands as they can be positioned too close, which creates uncomforting interac- “People are also attracted to food. Spontaneous food joints such as hot dog vendors in New York provides quick satisfaction for hunger craving.” tion” - A variety of immovable and movable furniture can manipulate the behaviour of users

-Food causes impulsive buying, through smell and visual delight.

“Closed spaces are used to escape the street life. It is a refuge, more than an escape.”

“Cafes are a shrewd utilisation of space.”

“Small steps draws people into a space.”

“Something different in the city creates an intrigue to a specific space.”

-Whyte determined through observation, that approximately 50% of passer-by’s will look at it and smile. It provides a visual enjoyment, as well Café spaces are compressed. This can result in a high probability to meet people, as people tend to “weave around to achieve personal space.” Cafes create a communal space and results in social opportunities. as a spatial enjoyment.

-People will connect with other people on a human scale and reciprocal gestures where people will imitate each other’s movements.

-A sculpture or public art exhibit is ideal as curiosity of physical objects draws people

“Buskers draw people in/ out of a space.”

“Put urban spaces in a centralised area”.

-The activity creates crowds and intrigue. Activates a space

-This will make the town congregate and create a “unified space.”

“Mega structures alone draw people away from streets.”

“Good urban space should be a place where one partakes, rather than escape”

-Without a link to the pedestrian scale/ level building is often detached and eventually neglected over time.

-A place where one celebrates fine wine, from New Zealand and abroad.

International Tourism

Retail Operation

Market Operation

Hotel Operation

Cruise Season

Wine Harvest Season

Wine Production

Annual occupancy schedule of the urban winery. The schedule takes into accoun the services of the city, and relates with wine growth parameters. Overlap of programs represent higher occurence of activities and thus occupancy within the proposal

The world’s love of New Zealand: Why does New Zealand pull so many visitors?

Natural Scenery: The floralities and breath taking views creates escapism for the foreign soul. New Zealand’s natural environment leaves desirable lasting notes and untapped scents over time for the tourist. Recommended scenes include Southern Alpines and sea views.

Indigenous Cultures: The diverse range of cultures intermingle and project intriguing moments and fusions of raw lifestyles and emotion.

Sport: Extreme sports provides out-of-the-box experiences one may never try in respective homelands. With the natural synthesis of the New Zealand landscape, the experiences of these sports transcends time, and lasts for eternity. Notable activities include White water rafting, Bungee jumping, cycle trails and scenic hikes Quality of wine: The wide spectrums of colours, aromatics, textures and flavours of New Zealand’s finest wines are all of high quality and potency, which leads to lasting impressions and potentially argumentative experiences at airport customs.

Recommended New Zealand wines include Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noir

People: The friendly, enticing, relaxed and quirky characteristics of New Zealanders provides a lasting social bond that bodes well in time. Delightful without overpowering traits emphasizes New Zealand as the perfect tourist host.

TOURISM 2025: Intention of Tourism 2025: A shared vision to increase revenue from New Zealand tourism agencies from $24 Billion to $41 Billion within the next 11 years. In order to achieve this, international tourism growth rates must increase by at least 6% and domestic tourism growth rates must increase by at least 4%. An emphasis on focusing and growing on tourist values rather than volumes.

Motivating factors: -

Slide in Tourism: revenue: 10 years ago, tourist spending was approximately $3000, currently, it has decreased by $1000

Current affairs have seen the image of New Zealand decline: Events such as the 2011 Christchurch earthquakes, global pandemics (SARS, Avian Bird Flu), increase in terrorism and the global financial crisis have made New Zealand become a difficult destination for tourists. The tourism industy is unfortunately dictated by changing world events, and needs to act better in contingent circumstances.

Fragmented relations within agencies: to achieve better tourism outlook in New Zealand. The lack of cohesion between parties is “unnatural” resulting in parochial mind set Declination: Gross Domestic Product value (GDP) in New Zealand as tourism is no longer New Zealand’s top export earner.

Global competition: Tourist agencies around the world including Australia and USA have initiated “aggressive global campaigns” China: Chinese visitor market is strengthening. Within five years, it is projected to double from $670 million to $1.2 billion. With a focus on attracting higher value visitors can become a cornerstone for greater value growth in the future. Better understanding the needs of Chinese visitors (New Zealand’s food and wine products, simplified visa processing) should garner greater returns.

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Processes in achieving the aim: -

Improve global and economic connections through air travel: as 99% of international visitors come by

air. The travel industry in New Zealand is fragile Improve visitor experience: With the diversity of visitors arriving into New Zealand, relational expectations will vary. This requires the experience of New Zealand to be better equipped to suit visitor needs. Currently, visitors value the personalities, rather than the service itself.

Quality over Quantity, when it comes to value: Visitors pick quality destinations, and New Zealand needs to have a more acquired focus on tourist experience quality. This can lead to travellers spreading word around New Zealand’s attractions, and bring in more customers.

Co-operation between businesses with mutual interests: Businesses need to be more proactive in collaborating with each other to achieve rapid growth. We need to share knowledge and experience. An example of this is when New Zealand ski fields, Tourism NZ, domestic airports and tourist groups collaborated to provide for Australian skiing visitors, which resulted in rapid growth Improvement in tourism productivity: Ensuring visitors still arrive annually in New Zealand, whether it is “peak season” or not. This will potentially improve and attract capital investments Responsive attitude to feedback/ criticism: Tourist agencies should embrace and change according to tourist feedback and experiences, rather than being “defensive.”

Aspirations to return to rates of growth: New Zealand’s tourism is recovering with arrivals from US and Germany up 13.4 and 9.5 per cent. The biggest target is to accommodate Asian economies due to their economic emergence. In particular, Chinese visitor population rose 16.2% and is projected to double within the next five years.

Pulling tourists to stay longer and essentially spend more money: Key wants visitors to have quality experience of New Zealand, resulting in a longer duration of stay. Chinese visitors average a stay of up to four nights and spend $3500, British visitors average a stay of up to twenty nights and also spend $3500 Target the Australian market: Australians make up 45% of incoming visitors, however, they spend the least money and stay the least time, compared to Chinese and British visitors.

COLLABORATION POTENTIALS BETWEEN ATEED AND THE WINERY: A goal outlined from the Tourism 2025 outlook suggested a collaborative project with beneficiaries. I believe the winery can improve its global outreach with the assistance from services by ATEED. ATEED (Auckland Tourism Events and Economic Development) is a council affiliate that promotes the business and tourism scene of Auckland. They work in tandem with local businesses to promote the image of the city, especially for foreign investment opportunities.

With the intervention of a winery, aimed at the tourist audience, I believe that co-operation with the tourism sector of ATEED can boost Auckland into a must-visit location.

ATEED can provide their services to the winery by continually promoting the facilities as an integral experience of Auckland city. To promote the winery, ATEED may be able to globally advertise, assist in booking schedules and host events (such as wine auctions, tastings, festivals) for the winery. This can bring in more tourists (domestically and internationally) into the city. These events can be intermingled with the current inhabitants of Auckland and can create events that increase Auckland’s revenue and provides entertainment for the people.

On a more economic perspective, ATEED can search for foreign investment into the winery complex. This can boost the wine industry of New Zealand by having exclusive networks for exportation. Additionally, the city will benefit by having an influx of revenue, also from exporting transaction. It can really advertise New Zealand’s quality and attention to fine wine products to a global scale.

The co-operation between ATEED and the urbanised winery can create a genuinely exciting destination to cater for the many tourists entering Auckland and New Zealand. With New Zealand’s attention to fine wine products, The New Zealand wine industry, ATEED and architectural intervention can assist and providing a physical catalyst that boosts the international and local tourism scene. Overall, ATEED can enhance the winery’s business capability, exportation, research and development with the developing NZ wine industry.

Red Obsession: A Synopsis “Remember to dig the well, long before you get thirsty” Red Obssession is a film about the love affair between the relentless Chinese wealth and the cultivation, production and transactions of fine Bordeaux wines. Overarching themes between the Chinese love for quality and at times exotic wines and Tourism 2025 projections regarding the Eastern market were driving forces behind the investigation of this particular film.

The Chinese love wine. It is seen as art, however its pleasure is temporal and brief. “A transient moment, with a indelible impression.” It is increasingly becoming a story of anti- orientalism.

China’s staggering wealth (approximately 600 billionaires reside in China) stems from China’s economic growth rate. It is unparalleled throughout man’s history. Because of this growth, China exports the most Bordeaux wines in the world. Initially, there were fears of resource straining within the wine industry of France, as the French were unsure about the Chinese market. The rapid growth and the mass population were main factors of this fear In China, the importation of exotic wines is a new phenomenon. The Europeans’s excitement of wine has dwindled throughout generations. Nowadays, the consumption and production of wines has become a regular staple of their culture. The Chinese relationship with wine is considered fun, friendly, exotic and exclusive. Auctions, promotional events, tastings have become embedded into the lifestyle of the Chinese billionaires, which has opened up great potentials for the marketability of wine.

Due to the importation of European wines, the pricing of wine has become heavily inflated, to the point where most traditional wine connoisseurs are unable to afford.

Mao’s Cultural Revolution created political and social changes, which made China’s development regress during the 20th century. China was restricted into a singular class. After Mao’s reign, the Chinese government lifted restrictions regarding private ownership and wealth. The government desired a slow transition towards the world economic market, however, the Chinese people achieved this within a short span of time. The people, after the oppression of Mao, became more individualised and a new energy and mind-set was formed. Their nothing-to-lose attitude and willingness to return made the Chinese people desperate to become players in the global markets. The creation of many radical ventures, ideas and entrepreneurism of the Chinese people eventually overpowered the markets of the western world within 25-30 years and re-enabled social hierarchy.

With the uprising of Chinese wealth, they viewed towards western influences to achieve modernity and power. Especially with luxury consumption, the fine wines of Bordeaux become players within this vision. With the limited production strains of the Bordeaux wines (nature, climate, harvest populations), they have become luxurious items and thus necessities for the affluent Chinese consumer. They are seen as a status defining product that signify ones sophistication and understanding of the ideals of the west. As a result, China has used the wine culture to connect with the western world and they now swallows the advances of Western civilisation.

Issues of excessive demand, counterfeiting combined with instability in the economic bubble have now arisen as for the international wine industry. There is an increasing thirst that has arisen from the heavy consumption of the affluent Chinese. As wine becomes increasingly popular in China, the Chinese market competes viciously against each other in pursuit of wine. Auctions with bids that trickle into the millions of dollars, are becoming the norm. On top of this, businessmen have secretly purchased many of Bordeaux’s exotic wines during trips. Europeans winemakers have begun to restrict the sales of their personal cellars, because they do not want to be left dry.

As a consequence, the world is increasingly unable to satisfy the thirst of the Chinese. China has acted and is now developing their own wines, especially in their barren landscape and is projected to be the largest manufacturer of wines within the next decade. The Chinese wine industry, although at an infant age in comparison with the French, they have begun receiving critical acclaim. The strange fluctuations in climate and weather in China has produced unique wines that have increased the exclusive spectrum of fine wines.

Evaluation In response to this film, I was fascinated with the extent of exclusiveness that wine, as a physical product was becoming. You hear stories of China’s wealth through the media, but within Red Obsession, the sheer extent of their wealth creates a sense of fear, not just in the wine industry, but in the entire global scale. It has become a lucrative commodity in a rebirthed culture, whereas in our local context, wine is seen as a mere food-side companion. The obsession is not mutual. Or is it?

I had to ponder within New Zealand’s wine industry. We are renowned for distributing award winning wines, due to our unique climates, our dedicated production and cultivation methods, our interpersonal relations and of course our craft. Additionally, our industry is a smaller scale than that of France. The French winemakers interviewed in the film had already devised ways of holding on their wines. With a huge paycheck under their nose, it creates a lucrative temptation that could potentially destroy their personal lifetime craft. What would happen if they became marketable in the Chinese sector? Sure, we already export wine to China, but what would happen if the overly affluent got their hands on our product? We have to take a cautious stance, despite the obvious financial benefits.

Sure, wine brings people (even the ludicrously affluent) towards a single product, but the New Zeland wine industry must remain vigilant, especially with the regressive state of the European wine industry, wine culture/ tradition and their economic situation. The rhetoric of the film creates an profound argument for budding winemakers to choose. The Wealth? Or the Wine?

A winery in itself is a series of environments which require their own distinct characteristics, it was merely a point of departure that only benefitted the burgeoning wine scene of New Zealand. However, through politically motivated investigations, I now feel that a winery is an insufficient use of space and has plentiful opportunities that can be further refined.

I knew wine had a great international pull ranging from local experiences of wine festivals and leisurely consumption to global experiences such as lucrative wine auctions, exhibitions (Diller Scofidio and Renfro’s exhibition: How Wine Became Modern: Design + Wine 1976 to Now) and privatised sales (seen in David Roach and Warwick Ross’s 2013 film Red Obsession), wine tasting seemed to be a universal language and art form, in which the masses understood. The sensory qualities of wine are all notes of dialogue between the consumer and the winemaker.

The City Centre Masterplan provided a set of incentives, aimed at improving the urban environment of Auckland City. The council mandated interventions within the proximity of the Customs Street site were the Queen Street, City Rail Link and the Quay Street redevelopment.

I believe my proposal must integrate with these developments to provide a seamless connection between the “Engine Room” and “The Waterfront”.

After watching William H. Whyte’s film The Social Life of Urban Spaces, I needed to create an architectural proposal that can relate to the people of Auckland. The current Queen Elizabeth Square is a lingering, yet stagnant waste of a public space. It attracts vagabonds, has limited designation of relaxing furniture, is cold and dark. It is a prime of example of unfortunate circumstances within the proximity of the city.

Referring back to Whyte, the utilisation of urban vegetation creates a microclimate within the city. Spaces that incorporate vegetation completely oppose the dynamics of the city by altering the environmental perception. Within these spaces, a neutralised atmosphere would create an earthy and picturesque scene within the “Engine Room” of Auckland.

Although adding vegetation was seen as rather drastic, I felt like it could be dramatically expanded. Through observing Junya Ishigami’s Venice Biennale article in Japan Architect Volume 79, he created an environment that “blurred the boundaries of interiority and exteriority.” I wanted to distil aspects of his project onto a larger context. It was imperative for my proposed space to become a quintessential place. A place that stores and inflicts memories of reminisce and calm. By utilising the site’s slope, a gentle hill of vegetation could grow, within the confines of an ethereal glazed form. It would become a floral atmosphere, stored with a diverse range of precious and delicate sensory experiences.

Grape vines would also grow in a vertical direction, on the east and north ends of the site. The greenery of these gardens would introduce Auckland especially from a tourist, arriving from a cruise ship, docking at either Queens or Princes Wharf. An encompassing patch of urban vegetation will provide tranquillity and relaxation, especially to the visitors arriving from tiresome sea faring voyages. On ground level, the proposal is aimed as a publicly accessible botanic piazza full of florality, which circulates upwards, reminiscent of the once-glorious Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

After looking through the recently proposed Tourism 2025 framework, I pondered how can urban architecture benefit the tourism industry?

From initial findings, the universal understanding of wine would create an intriguing facility that could really give Auckland a reason for people to come. However, that alone was not enough. Through the findings of Tourism 2025, I had to create a “tourist trap” that engages not only with worldwide visitors, but with local agencies such as NZ Wine, ATEED and the Auckland City Council.

The requirement for longer durations and heavier spending of visitors’ stuck out to me as a primary objective of my proposal. Besides serving entertainment and retail provisions, there needed to be a liveability component. By having a high quality hotel premise that lay by the Auckland waterfront, it would shorten visitor trips (especially from cruise ships) towards the dislocation of Auckland hotels. An easily accessible hotel that lay by the harbour, which linked towards the retail and entertainment of the sophisticated winery would provide an instantaneous and impressive “first impression” for the tourist, which potentially can become an architectural catalyst in enhancing visitor stay, connectivity, experience and quintessentially, revenue.

Images of Diller Scofidio and Renfro’s Exhibition: How Wine Became Modern: Design + Wine 1976 to Now, Junya Ishigami’s 2008 Venice Biennale project and an artists impression of The Hanging Gardens of Babylon

Urbanised Winery with retail and dining provisions

+

High Rise Hotel Complex, within the heart of Auckland

+

Attractive Public Space, that opposes the atmosphere of the city

=

An Architecturally rich experience that facilitates the repertoire of the Auckland public and visitors

Removal of Downtown Mall

Allocated Site

City Centre Proposals

Cruise Links

Activation of the corner

Glass Box, growing grapes

Expansion of Site slope into park

Redirection of Bus system

Iterative Development of Proposal

W

Cruise Links

Vertical grape field

Altered grape field, growing in x, y z directions

H

Assembly of potential volumes (Hotel and Winery)

F

Establishing h links to andd from concept

Creating passages

Rooftop garden d andd potential form, overlooking harbour h

Iterative Development of Proposal

Vegetation, Reinforcement of City Centre Masterplan andd Foodd Provisions

The walk up Queen Street was blessed with the delicate grapes, suspended from the glass canopies. The apertures leading into the vicinity was like looking into the lense of a new pasture.

From afar, the towers were a reinterpretation of the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The contrasts between the deep purple grapes, the earthy leaves, the crisp blues created a natural flesh, in the urban heart of Auckland. An earthy mystique, in an otherwise concrete environment