Luminosity - Aotea Quarter, Auckland, NZ

Luminosity

DINZ Best Awards 2015- Silver award in the Spatial Student Category

Mention on Auckland Council's plans: http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/planspoliciesprojects/plansstrategies/Councilstrategies/Documents/aoteaquarterframeworkch4c.pdf

This illuminated journey connects Myers Park to Aotea Square and the rest of Auckland Central as a luminous linear park and urban foodscape flowing through the valley as the Waihorotiu stream once did.

Myers Park transforms into a luminescent space that evokes magic in children and adults: movement-responsive interventions are inspired by nature and are programmed to evoke a whimsical sense of wonder as you move through the living landscape. Biomimetic lighting illuminates the space in a subtle and delightful way, which also helps with night-time security. Every step on the pixie path, activates specks of light that trail behind as you move forward: this wayfaring device leads from Karangahape Road to the proposed City Rail Link station. Emerging from natural wetland reeds are glowing polycarbonate reeds swaying subtly in the wind. Atop these installed reeds are luminous canopies with a folded pattern that provide shelter from the weather. Lights like glow-worms peek out of lines in Mayoral Drive portal’s faceted interior. Behind the theatre district is an outdoor rehearsal space with modular furniture.

Shared spaces with shade and pavements throughout Aotea Quarter make the journey more pedestrian-orientated. In front of the revitalized Civic Building are new grasslands, swing seating to play on and a bustle of people exploring the weekend markets. The renovated ground floor of the Civic Building is a double height space with a permanent marketplace, café, and open talk space. Community planting programmes cultivate boxes of salad vegetables that are placed daily into the centre of communal tables. At shared tables, you are welcome to pick your own salad to toss with dressings, or add some green goodness to a sandwich. Food businesses support the planting programme through sustainable practices such as composting food scraps. On the other side of the building is an Eden garden with a winding path to Mayoral Drive. The Aotea Centre facade is made of streaks like the wind, enveloping the void space. It provides shelter and has permeable layers to enter through. Reflective aluminium strips interweave with luminous fibreglass strips to create a façade that reflects varying colours of light.

Collaboration with Emergent Ecologies Lab, Auckland Council

myers park / night perspective

pixie pavement / path from Karangahape Road to CRL / pixie-dust-like trail of light activated by pedestrians
(concrete / LEDs / fibre optics / solar panels)