Urban Design Urban Design

Opposite: Portage sculpture setting.

Right, below: Street furniture and planting details. Active edges: New Lynn town centre Words & Photographs Nick Robinson, landscape architect An overview of changes to the local urban landscape as New Lynn receives significant upgrades to its public spaces, providing context for upcoming infrastructural development.

brick and ceramics industries and Murray and his protégés. He also contained by a matrix of dark brown the domestic garden character of the developed motifs from the riparian clay paving strips that links with the surrounding residential areas.” vegetation of the Whau River to create existing clay paving. The strongly The design themes for both unique metal work for the railings and contrasting clay paving identifies the sculpture and landscape celebrate tree surrounds. Maui’s bench seats edge of the pedestrian area, where three significant elements of New are popular with the Saturday morning it meets the kerb, vehicle crossings Lynn’s history: the waka portage Tai Chi and meditation group that has and building frontages. This strip route across the isthmus from the adopted the new plaza for its activity. of small unit pavers also helps to Manukau Harbour to the Whau River, There are three main streetscape accommodate the water meters and the brick and ceramics industry that types: other service covers, the variety of once thrived on the clay deposits so 1. Large public spaces of Todd signposts and street furniture. common in the area, and the garden Triangle and Memorial Corner. Prominent locations such as history. Catherine developed a concept These form major elements in the seating niches are marked with semi- design for the larger urban park fabric of the town centre both for circular hubs and radiating rays of based on these themes. Further site pedestrians and, in a visual role, for terrazzo or honed concrete paving design and detailing were developed passing vehicle traffic. that echo the art deco sun motif. The by project landscape architect Nick 2. Small pedestrian spaces that radial alignment provides a geometric Robinson, drawing on diverse sources form nodes and incidents within order that organises the locations and ranging from the forms, colours the footpath along the street layouts of the spaces and elements and textures typical of local ceramic industry to the cosmic patterns that connected time, tide and travel “Once somewhat scruffy, small town centres, through the watery landscapes of the set in a wide suburban hinterland ... are fast Auckland isthmus. becoming intensive urban nodes.” Thanks to these inspirations, ‘New Lynn’s New Landscape’ has THE CHARACTER OF WEST sophisticated architecture, better Urban landscape recently completed so far escaped the current formula landscape. These include a that form the new spatial fabric. Auckland’s town centres is changing streetscape design and, consequently, in New Lynn Town Centre includes of grey basalt, grey concrete and proposed courtyard between the Gardens are another part of the rapidly. Once somewhat scruffy, more people in the streets. phase one of the Great North Road stainless steel. Because of the local police station and the proposed town’s heritage and this is reflected in small town centres, set in a wide New Lynn is undergoing streetscape upgrade, two urban parks community’s love of gardens and new Warden’s Office and the the formal and exotic themes found suburban hinterland they are fast notable changes due to continuing and street trees, a new market plaza and traditional civic planting, the decision Southern end of Delta Triangle. in the planting. The geometry and becoming intensive urban nodes with development of the public realm in settings for public sculpture by Warren was made to employ warm colours 3. The linear streetscape that links symmetry of art deco echoed in the an attractive public realm. The key to the town centre. Two phases of urban Viscose and Bill McKay, and a piece yet and rich, colourful planting to ensure the spaces on both sides of the choice of regular and formal planting this transformation is the increase in landscape improvements have already to be installed by Peter Lange. that the streets and spaces would street and includes occasional arrangements such as grids and arcs population density close to the town been implemented. A new community The streetscape upgrade is be good to be in – not just good to sitting places and tree planting. of fastigiate Italian cypress, arcades centres and the facilities and services centre and a new library have been informed by the contextual analysis look at in photographs. Artist Maui- The paving idiom is drawn from the of sky duster palms and formally that go along with this. Medium rise completed, and work has begun on and landscape masterplan completed ’Atalanga ‘Ofamo’oni custom designed colours and patterns of the ceramics clipped cypress hedges. Red roses apartment living and medium density the ‘transport oriented development’ by Catherine Hamilton and her a suite of street furniture as an for which New Lynn was known. It and showy succulents contrast with town housing is becoming common in of the town centre, which promises Studio of Urban Landscape staff. imaginative response to the modernist consists of simple, well-finished, cream these structural planting elements, but centres like Henderson and New Lynn a new transport interchange, new Catherine comments that “We sought style associated with the Crown Lynn in-situ concrete paving in which the a sense of sophistication is maintained and brings a more urbane character roads, cycle routes, and new retail and to reference New Lynn’s suburban ceramics industry, in particular the lines of saw cuts mimic the joints by simplicity and restraint in the use of to the streetscape, thanks to more business development. heritage in the design, especially the distinctive style of the influential Keith of large-scale slab paving. This is these garden favourites. Ground cover

12 LNZ LNZ 13 Urban Design Urban Design

the ‘water’ paving in the shallow basin The marketplace, New Lynn. below the waka and strips of tiles inlaid with paua that follow the sundial lines. This streetscape and public New Lynn – Emergence of a major spaces will soon provide the context for New Lynn’s ‘transport oriented regional centre development’, and the ‘big dig’ that NEW LYNN IS SET TO SIGNIFICANTLY EXPAND ITS ROLE AS ONE OF WAITAKERE CITY’S MAJOR REGIONAL is just beginning in the town centre is centres. The development of the amenity of this place has been a key element of Council investment since a railway trench – up to 8m deep – to the mid 1990s. take two rail lines through the town The City Council, along with the Auckland Regional Council and transport agencies are seeking to centre below ground level. It will also focus urban growth into major centres and transport corridors in order to reduce urban sprawl and support incorporate a new railway station and investments in public transport. Creating successful higher density growth centres requires investment in allow road and footpath connections the twin arms of access and amenity. above the tracks at ground level. This Over $140 million is being spent on public transport and road investments to secure major access transport work is linked to a number improvements to New Lynn. The largest part of this spend is on rail investment ensuring that New Lynn of substantial development sites in the becomes one of the best connected centres in the region. town centre, where intensive retail and Investment in urban amenity is necessary to ensure that centres can intensify and remain attractive service activities will be encouraged. places of choice to live and work. This is especially true if a place is to attract skilled workers who have These development sites, although plenty of employment options and choices as to where they live. welcome for the architectural qualities While there is still a long way to go, New Lynn is emerging as a case study of public commitment to they should bring and the increased amenity in the context of urban intensification. shopping and civic facilities, could, if Important amenity building blocks can be classified as natural, historical and modern. they are not well designed, erode the New Lynn provides access to the natural amenities of the Waitakere ranges and beaches. It is also existing parks and other greenspace. interlaced with streams and wetlands although the town generally has its back to these. Recent initiatives Good urban design, especially the to address this include the award winning restoration of the Manawa wetland, and the significant creation of active edges rather than investment in the nearby Olympic Park. Once a fill site, Olympic Park is being redeveloped to highlight its inward looking malls, and good stream access, draw visitors to this asset and enhance its ecological quality. Olympic Park was awarded architecture are essential if these the premier New Zealand Recreation Association’s (NZRA) Outstanding Park Award 2007. developments are to enhance the Importantly, the town is rich in historical amenity having been a centre for the brick and ceramics environment of the town centre. industries. These elements have been built on and referenced in landscape design, seating and public art as part of Council’s reserves and streetscape investments. The author: Nick Robinson is a Emphasis has also been placed on modern amenities such as the public library and award winning Landscape Architect in private practice community centre. Redevelopment of the bus and rail hub is underway and will further enhance the modern in Waitakere ([email protected]) architectural value of the centre. Public art is becoming a feature of New Lynn. A number of works by major

“Good urban design, especially the creation of active edges rather Memorial Square pergola, but connects the two spaces with its axial alignment NEW LYNN STREETSCAPE “While there is still a long way to go, New Lynn is emerging as than inward looking malls, and good architecture are essential if these and use of some similar materials. STAGE 1 a case study of public commitment to amenity in the context of developments are to enhance the environment of the town centre.” The corner park also includes an Client: Waitakere City Council extended terrace area for restaurants Parks and Project Services urban intensification.” and cafes on the corner of Lynn Mall. Engineers: Neil Prendiville is provided throughout to try to avoid was installed at that stage. In addition in the cyclical repetitive movements of Paving, grass and planting within and Colin Bott, Waitakere City artists have been installed or are planned. The Rewarewa art bridge, designed by Virginia King, on the north- the ubiquitous woodchip covering of to carrying the waka, themes of time the tides, the moon and the planets. the space direct people through in a Council Project Services western flank of the town centre was one of the earliest Council investments associated with the intensification planting beds, and planting is chosen (a sundial) and tides (a water feature) Elliptical, crescent shapes and comfortable way, whilst maintaining Landscape architects: Studio programme that began in the mid 1990s. Redevelopment of Olympic Park as a major recreation and arts facility to provide visual consistency during were to have been represented. vegetated, living landscape elements enough of a distance from the sculpture of Urban Landscape Ltd is well underway with many arts and play investments having already been made. the winter months. The recent landscape work offered reflect these cyclical aspects and to appreciate its scale. Seating on Project landscape While the focus for critique of urban intensification is often on central Auckland it is also important to The towering steel sculpture a chance to create a new setting for the complement the unadorned, unyielding curved wall-benches maintains the architects: Catherine observe the way in which this policy is playing out in the suburban centres. New Lynn is at the cusp of of a waka, borne aloft on leg-like sculpture that responded to the artists’ qualities of the steel sculpture with a simplicity of the layout and gives Hamilton, Nick Robinson, a major new chapter in its history. The public transport investments are designed to catalyse investment structures, occupies a strategic site original ideas, and to incorporate them more feminine, watery, even mysterious opportunities for individuals and Bruce Tupp in office and apartment developments. The way in which Council and the private sector respond to the fronting both Memorial Drive and Great in a comprehensive layout for the urban influence. The grove of skyduster palms groups to sit with various orientations Furniture design: Maui- amenity imperative in New Lynn will be an important indicator of how the region-wide intensification policy North Road. It was originally conceived park. New themes were also developed make a forest of tall, elegant vertical and permutations. They also help to ’Atalanga ‘Ofamo’oni is likely to be given expression on the ground. by Warren Viscose and Bill McKay as focusing on the contrast between the elements that echo the steel ‘legs’ that protect planting from trampling. Like the Sculptors: Bill McKay, Warren part of a larger installation that would linear and cyclical aspects of time and carry the waka. This design contrasts furniture, paving materials echo those Viscose, Peter Lange The author: Catherine Hamilton, Studio of Urban Landscape Ltd ([email protected]) also have paving, seating, a sundial expressed, respectively, in the forward, with and balances the repetitive used elsewhere in the town centre, but Contractor: P & M Paving Ltd and water, however only the waka exploratory purpose of the vessel and rectilinear layout of the adjacent include distinctive elements such as

14 LNZ LNZ 15