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The Marsden Wine Citadel

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The Marsden Wine Citadel- Location Plan

100m

Contents 4. i 8. ii 12. iii 16. iv 24. v 28. epilogue

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i.

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Moments of burgundy suede breathed life into the cold steel of the racy train capsule. The train rocks violently with each turn.“Exterior” tunnel lights blur. A voice speaks “ Next stop The Marsden Wine Citadel” As the train slows down, the oaky barrels of Marsden wines are deftly seen through apertures within the concrete tunnels. These instruments are caged within thickened glazing and elegant spotlights. The train stalls to a static manner. The doors slide outwards. my legs, stiff from the velvety seats, are now beginning to motor through the crowds.

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Lights and signs guide to the labyrinth and junctions of escalators which directs pedestrians higher and higher into reality. The cold stone tiling refracts the underground light. The underground passages enduces distortion with the urban proximity. Where are we going? up, for all I know.

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The frosted glass masks the street level. Sight, sounds and smells are neutralised wthin the space, as the boulevards activity is blurred within opaque frosted glazing. The building itself is a further apparatus to the existing Britomart Transport Centre. The underground junction connects with this new building, thus removing the previous concourse.

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ii.

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Stepping out of the transport centre became an instantaneous immersion into the primary boulevard. Here, the stories of families, couples and individuals are crafted in this intimate, yet large space. The warmth and joy of a characteristically picturesque Auckland summer’s day radiates through the space, and is received by both the architecture and the people. The greenery of native trees give life with light floral scents collaborating with wine essences, perfumes the interior threshold of the parade. The bright red of the pohutukawa blossoms are daytime beacons of the raw naturality of Auckland’s environment. The flooring is a marble checker tile which seductively extends from the classicist exterior of the boutiques.

Tall glazed walls reveal the internal life of the winery and accompanying stores. The trusses of reclaimed timber construction are astute, however they are braced by matte blackened steel. The rustic timber speaks of personal stories which are then glorified by the activity of the space. The mezzanine walkways provide an additional level of intimacy with the people on the ground plane and the higher end retail boutiques.

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The arcade houses a myriad of redeveloped boutiques. These intimate stores develops an anachronistic relationship with the surrounding metropolis. Small stores of imported foods and coffee houses lie on the piazza level to seduce the pedestrians. The smoky pungent of the butcher’s cured porks mingling with the freshest espresso roasts boasts a leathery fragrance which floats through the boulevard. The interior creamy bricks and flamboyant heights of these stores displays subdued architectural undercurrents, which play with the refracted light of the crystal glazing.

The alley descends toward the harbour and the ferry terminus. The fermentation tanks and the cellars of the winery sequentially reveal through apertures however, the shades of crimson glazing subdues and withholds the intricacies of production. Only deft shapes can be determined from within the brewery.

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A generous sloped lawn, opens outwards to the Waitemata harbour. The grungy old square has been reinvigorated with activity. The sloping grass mingles with screens of vines plantations. A lush atmosphere reveals moments of privacy amongst the openness of a generic public square.

Families and couples are picnicking with the sights of freshly cut sandwiches, garden salads and rotisserie meats vigorously reminds one of the retrospective comforts of sunday lunches at home.

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iii.

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The newly opened Auckland City markets span through the Queen Street and Quay Street boulevards. It is bustling and lively with the sounds of conversations and street performers. The streets are repaved into a uniform level with the dominance of a brooding granite stone panelling of rigid textures. Vegetation lines the streets which provides an intimate environment with its shading.

Through the course of the street the smell of fried fish batters, savoury hot dogs, fresh-out-of-the-oven baked pies and kumara chips instantly forces the mouth to water. The fresh colours of local produce creates crowds towards the stands. A man is roaming the vicinity selling colourful balloons, which attract young children. The youth are unabashedly loitering with friends. Families are pacing through this dense atmosphere. Tourists charge in from the wharfs to discover Auckland and her possibilities.

Above, the high rise vineyard becomes an intense 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 extensive foliage with an earthy mystique, in an otherwise concrete environment 13

The Marsden Citadel vendor is selling glasses of unconventional chilled mulled wine. The ladle dips into a wooden drum with lemon rinds rising to the surface. The cup is filled to the brim and exchanged. The colour is a deep crimson at first glance, however it loses its viscosity under the light and pales. The texture is consistent in concentration. The taste is initially elegant, but develops complexities as flavours of stone fruit (nectarine and peaches) accent the intial taste with a crisp zest (lemon skin rind and blanched lemon flesh). A floral and a romantic smell, especially with the added cinnamon. An odd variation of wine that reveals exploratory sequences of fruity layers with each passing sip. A very active and intriguing wine that is the perfect companion under the Auckland heat. The beverage hits all the right notes, under the context of the weather and the crowds of people.

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iv.

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“Alas! The harvest is here! Vehicles enter from land, air and sea to herald the new harvest. Dainty violet particles swarmed out with the intensity of greyhounds. The conveyor belts are filled by fresh grapes from the seasonal harvest. The workers are holding back from trying to sneak a few grapes to eat.�

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A physically entrancing underground facility, heralded with vintage oak maceration and cobalt drill presses which summoned the technological wine procedures seen in the chateaus of Europe. The workers are themselves machines, tirelessly crushing grapes, yet retaining the passion of wine craftery . Pulverized grapes become deep and viscous. It is becoming more and more of a syrup than a juice through rigorous stirring. Here, the grape pressing, pumpdown, chaptalizaion and must removal occurs.

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The viscous burgundy syrup was filtered through into the fermentation drums. Intense curiosity embraced my conscience over the happenings within the container. Deep instruments displays the essence of coldness within the reflective qualities of the steel.

Despite the frigidity of the steel, the opulent aromas teases unctuous florality throughout the passage thus, enticing a life within the wine. The timber framework caresses the fermentation with a deep natural essence inside the subterranean atmosphere.

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Barriques are stacked over a neutral white background. The monastery walls unraveled the barrels as a pure art installation at a boutique gallery . The refractions of the suspended lights and barrels was like clear honey , reflected on a lazy summer morning.

The collective barriques evoked a lively personality within the milky soutirage. The fine grain timber of the barrels were seamed and crafted as an authentic and pure sculpture.

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The staircase leads to a wispy lowered exhibition gallery which leads to the enclosed tasting rooms. Deep burgundy curtains unravel. There lies a refurbished timber platform, a black tie waiter, delicate plates of antipasto that are all cradled by the extensive wine bottle archives, stored and appreciative of classic harvests. The corridor is an accumulation of ethereal white coated bricks which provides a neutral expression of the traditional solid terracotta brick. A further suspended stair route guides one into a gentle space where a secret cinema projects Francois Truffaut’s classic film The 400 Blows.

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Complex tones of red and purple inhabit the streets of filtration. Their confined flowing and ebbing provides life in an otherwise silent room. Seas of crystal green bottles voyage into a wooden clad reservoir destination. Once packaged into crates, wines are then distributed to restaurants, bars and direct to consumer via straight purchase, the waiting trucks and the private auctions.

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v.

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The promenade glistens with suspended lights. Light bulbs are lodged into emptied wine glasses. Waves of fairy lights create bubbly and angelic notes which coalesce with the pitched roof. A dreamy atmosphere which leads one to the shopping precinct after the winery. The coffee shops and street level boutiques are closing up for the night, but the tower is still lit, heading into the evening. The path is still being roamed, where the aroma of the restaurants on higher levels circulates across the promenade and the rufous dusk light 24

The stores inside the towers sell a series of clothing tastes. Modern trends are displayed in the ground floors, with sophisticated fashion rising on higher levels. The smell of the shoemakers leather warms the spaces with a rustic essence that is consistent on each passing level. The stacking of fashion stores create a grandeur paradise for every level of the contemporary sartorialist..

The higher levels link towards rustic bars and restaurants as lead by the aroma of sizzing steak and lively conversations.

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The steakhouse restaurant gazes towards the harbour, overlooking the vessels docking into Auckland city. The interior of the restaurant is a direct architectural play on the idea of chiaroscuro. Pearly interior, with darkened seats immediately catches the eye.The restaurant tables are of rectangular shape and made from a classic darkened oak. One immediately delves into nostalgia, and the large dining platform sets the tone of those days. The aroma of prime porterhouse steak, accompanied with the freshest herbs and spices. The earthy fragrances linger throughout the establishment. Steak is grilled perfectly, with the prime pigment of carnation.

The deep pinot noir arrives. Vivid ruby, with floral and hints of exoticism. A wild, but not overbearing taste. Good line of acidity to subtley defean the steak. The length is plump and pompous, without heavy alcohol overtones.

I am left gazing towards the lit harbour in my leather throne. My oh my. How Auckland has finally changed.

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epilogue

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Allocated Site

Glass Box, growing grapes

Removal of Downtown Mall

Activation of the corner

Expansion of Site slope into park

City Centre Proposals

Redirection of Bus system

Cruise Links

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Establishing links to and from concept

Cruise Links

Creating passages

Vertical grape field

Rooftop garden and potential form, overlooking harbour

Altered grape field, growing in x, y z directions

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Vegetation, Reinforcement of City Centre Masterplan and Food Provisions

F

Assembly of potential volumes (Hotel and Winery)

W

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Quay Street

Existing HSBC Tower

Tower (Retail, Gastronomy, Offices, Hotel)

Albert Street

Public Transport Centre

Green Piazza

Grape super-structure

Fermentation Cellar

Vestibule

Reception

Existing Zurich Tower

Queen Street

Britomart Transport Centre

Grape selection

Grape arrival

Customs Street

Quay Street (Activated Pedestrian and Tram space, in conjuction with City Centre Masterplan)

Existing HSBC Building

Retail Provision

Public Park

Transport Hub (Facilitation of Bus routes and City Rail Link, outlined in City Centre Masterplan)

Boutique Albert Street (Redirected route of buses)

Queen Street (Activated Pedestrian Space, in conjunction with City Centre Masterplan)

Boutique Offices

Boutique

Existing Zurich Tower

Wine Vendor Reception Security Vestibule Rendezous

Grape Picking

Grape Selection

Delivery

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Quay Street (Activated Pedestrian and Tram space, in conjuction with City Centre Masterplan)

Existing HSBC Building

Retail Provision

Public Park Transport Hub (Facilitation of Bus routes and City Rail Link, outlined in City Centre Masterplan)

Albert Street (Redirected route of buses)

Queen Street (Activated Pedestrian Space, in conjunction with City Centre Masterplan) Existing Zurich Tower

Fermentation Cellar

Tank Storage

Maceration Space

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Private Cellar

Barrique Cellar

Bottle Storage Gallery Bottling

Tasting Corridor Kitchen Barrel Cleaning

Laboratory

Tasting Rooms

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