Process - Wayfinder

Process.

"Landscape embodies the relationship between people and place. It is the character of an area, how the area is experienced and perceived, and the meanings associated with it*.

* New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects best practice guidance Te Tangi a Te Manu, s4.20.

We recognise the fundamental connection people have with place. Where we choose to live, work and have fun is important to us, our wellbeing, and our identity. As such we all have an interest in what is happening in the landscape around us, what is changing, and we all have our own opinions on how that change affects who we are and where we choose to be.

But change isn’t necessarily bad – indeed all landscapes change all of the time. As populations grow and change, so too does the infrastructure and environment around those populations.

Our landscape adapts to how we as a community grow and change.

Our role as landscape architects is to help people understand change, and to find ways for such change to be more acceptable to those who will experience it. Sometimes, we can simply make places better, more interesting, more engaging – somewhere that the whole community can be proud of. But often, our role is to determine how we can best accommodate a certain activity, and then clearly articulate and visualise how (and to what extent) this will change the values of the landscape around us.

It’ll therefore be no surprise that we like to get involved with projects at the early stages. We work best when we can contribute to the design discussions, explore ways to make projects better, and provide early comment on potential concerns or risks. But, ultimately, we work across all aspects of landscape architecture, which can be loosely split into the following four phases:

Concept & Masterplanning

Consenting & Approvals

Detailing

MSQA

In all of our work,

our team shares the following common values:

We aim to deliver what is best for landscape – that is, what is best for an area that people associate with and experience. How can we make the project best fit with the aspects of the landscape people value?

We believe that engagement can only enhance projects. Whilst we recognise that there are often commercial sensitivities with projects, we also know that the sooner we understand the potential concerns around a project, the sooner we can consider ways to better design the project to avoid or mitigate potential effects.

We favour the use of vegetation that aligns strongest with landscape values, whilst providing biodiversity and bio-resilience. Usually this will favour the use of native species, and we would only consider exotic species where there is clear reason to do so.

We cherish working with others. Whilst we’re great at coming up with ideas, we know that the most successful outcomes come from working with others who are passionate, experienced and engaged.

We love being engaged on local projects and we are always seeking ways to contribute to our place, whether through charitable work, supporting local business networks, or promoting the work of others that meaningfully contributes to the landscape around us.

We prefer to keep things simple. Whilst we ensure the details are covered, our focus tends to be on the key strategic outcomes.

We recognise that our role is to champion landscape outcomes. Whilst we often work on controversial projects, we do so on the belief that we can influence and create better outcomes by being involved.

We’re happy to receive constructive criticism, and we always strive to build on ideas put forward by others. At the same time, we ensure to always test outcomes against the project objectives to ensure that we don’t stray too far from the target.

In the end, every project is unique. We aim to collaboratively work through its various aspects and contribute to the project development to find the right balance across outcomes, context, constraints and budget.

Explore some of our work.

Waiaroha

Partners: Hastings District Council, DesignGroup Stapleton Elliott, Stitchbird, Jacksons, Strata, Gemco

A significant and defining project for Hastings and for infrastructure - this project showcases what can be done when you truly think outside the box.

New Zealand Herald, December 2018

It is difficult to stand within Ātea a Rangi and not feel a sense of pride in Maori culture. Is it possible for inanimate objects to have mana, or perhaps it is wairua that emanates from the circle?

Community

Buddy Mikaere, Ngai Tamarawaho

I want to congratulate those who have worked on the Ahi Kaa document - it is easily the best such document I have seen and the detail and reasoning is almost beyond reproach. I really enjoyed reading through the document which is a rarity for something coming out of Council,

Project partner

Tripadvisor, August 2019

Pekapeka is a great example of what community groups can achieve to rejuvenate badly neglected, abused environments. It was a privilege to walk around this area and see flora and fauna thriving.

Community

Jeff Baker, PNCC, February 2019

With a difficult brief, Wayfinder have produced an outcome that provides clarity around future development and simplicity of management. Although this is what we set out to achieve from the beginning, the strength of their approach has been the ability to stay the course and inspire people to follow the vision.

Project Partner