KingslanD
funky, vibrant urban village’ was our starting point for designing what we view to be an effective public space, which will be used regularly by workers, residents, and visitors to Kingsland.
Defining the character of Kingsland as a ‘
New North
Road
O C S L A
1:100
N
Precast Concrete Seating
Planting and vegetation
Dark Tinted / Patterned Concrete
Light Tinted / Patterned Concrete
Map showing “Bookend” concept, including present and future Heritage walk sites.
Initial concept sketch.
Potential Western Bookend
Existing Heritage Sites
New North Road
Eastern Bookend
serves the community
This site was inspired by two strands of local heritage:
Ngā Ana Wai, or ‘the watery caves’, the volcanic rivers which ran underneath Kingsland. First are the
These ancient lava caverns were created 30,000 years ago during the eruption of Mt Albert and Mt Eden (Ōwairaka and Maungawhau) and formed the basis of the flowing curves of the seating. Second is the transport heritage that runs through Kingsland’s past, present and future. Notably trains but also referencing trams. Kingsland originally developed
a meeting and business point, linking to other areas of the
as burgeoning city through commerce and retail.
Today the train station and Eden Park and is a pivotal transit point; this pocket park is intended to reference that connection with its directional flow and detailing, for example the use of lines defined by coloured and textured concrete moving throughout the site. The site is not necessarily a destination in itself but by treating it truthfully
attention to detail,
and with this design is intended to play on the transit of pedestrians through, into and past the site by the careful placement of the
bench structures which guide and
‘book end’
Another way in which this site is intended to work is as a , framing or holding Kingsland as part of a matching pair, welcoming and defining the
centre
start of Kingsland’s main business
and bringing Alsco firmly into that community in both a visual way and a practical way through giving their employees an area for rest. Another, future phase of development could be a similar treatment on the west side of Kingsland’s business area (next to Mixd retail outlet). Another link may be to include a QR code and add the park to the
suggest the movement of individuals and their interaction with the two sites. It is intended as a point of through-travel, pause, and rest.
heritage walk. Scan Me
Vertical scale of street furniture, 200-450mm, 1:50
The shape of seating has taken into account the footprint of the existing grass/kerb to keep to budget, and also acts to frame the line of sight for pedestrians when approaching along the pavement in either direction,
Foot traffic tends to be casual and intermittent along New North Road as people move into and out of Kingsland’s main commercial and residential areas, apart from when Eden Park is being used and mass transit needs to be factored in. The
guiding
design is intended to
them
into
and
View at seat-level, looking East, from the smaller park.
through
the
park.
Careful coordination of street art in relation to the design can further define this space as a visual anchor for
Kingsland’s main street.
deal with the flow of large groups of people and also provide for solitary engagement.
View at seat-level, looking East, from the larger park.
Elevation looking West, from the larger park.
Hebden
Landscape Architecture
KingslanD
View of larger park from across New North Road.
Two night scenes showing lighting options.
Evening scene facing West along smaller park.
This space is designed to reflect and interpret the modern urban landscape of Kingsland today. The combination of organic shapes yet solid material, influenced by Kingsland’s ancient underground river, is intended to reflect the nature of contemporary Kingsland; the hard and the soft, the old and the new, the past and the future.
View of larger park from seat level, facing West.
Hebden
Landscape Architecture