The new civic space site at 254 Ponsonby Road has been transferred back from Eke Panuku to Auckland Council. This enables the project to proceed once resource consent is received. BRAVO!
The Community-Led-Design Group (CLDG) has since been lobbying to quickly activate the site, starting with the removal of alcohol advertising from the building and replacing it with a display of LandLAB’s latest design images in the windows.
When the hoardings go up around the site, the CLDG is working on a co-lab to have these decorated by a mural artist, with input from the local schools. Meanwhile, council has mounted a sign panel with images of the project on-site.
On 7 February, a further workshop was held with the Waitematā Local Board, where council staff provided an update on the detailed design. The CLDG sought a briefing post the workshop and was provided with the summary below:
“Members (of the Waitematā Local Board) were happy to receive the detailed design which will be presented for approval at the next business meeting on 20 February.
"Members were issued with the 50% detailed design drawings. Also an ‘options comparison’ for the reused toilet block.
"The project is currently on budget.
"Staff have reviewed the proposed design for adaption of the reused toilet block and instructed LandLAB to continue with the timber battened look.”
The CLDG is delighted by this decision as we see the creative adaptation and upgrade of the recycled toilet block by LandLAB as an important feature of the design.
We are very much in favour of the wooden shroud which integrates the toilets into the rest of the design, softens the materiality of that area of the civic space and honours the cultural input of mana whenua.
Public toilet amenities are often reduced to barely functional necessities, attracting subsequent disrespect of them by users. By creating a beautiful toilet facility, the amenity is upgraded and the overall design of the civic space is enhanced, whilst encouraging more respectful use of the facility.
The CLDG is very appreciative of the considerable design expertise that LandLAB brings to this project. Their substantial existing work within Tāmaki Makaurau bears testament to their proficiency.
It has always been an aspiration of the community for the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road to be an exemplar of design excellence in urban amenity. And it is this aspiration that the design group and the CLDG are keeping front of mind as the final detailed decisions are made.
The CLDG presented to the Waitematā Local Board at their 20 February business meeting in support of the approval of the detailed design. We are delighted that the board unanimously and enthusiastically resolved to:
“Approve the detailed design for the new civic open space at 254 Ponsonby Road and request staff to progress the project to procurement and construction."
The board also thanked the Community-Led-Design Group for their ongoing support of this project.
THIS IS BRILLIANT!
The CLDG once again extends our thanks to the WLB for their continued advocacy and support for the new civic space at 254 Ponsonby Road, which is now well on the way to being realised. Enabling works are planned to begin this month, with the erection of site hoardings.
SO BE EXCITED!
For more information or to contact the CLDG, visit the website; 254ponsonbyrd.org.nz or see our Facebook pages; Ponsonby Park or 254 Ponsonby Road. (Jennifer Ward)
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Published: March 2024