LIFEFORCE
During the Covid19 pandemic, the whole world is locked down, and later, people found that the environment is bouncing back within a short time. Without human’s interruption, the life force can heal nature quickly; however, the over-development of urban space is dragging it down. The site of Grey Avenue links Myers Park and the aihorotiu tream was once flowing through it; I can only imagine how ecological lush it was, yet, right now, the site is nothing but a car park next to the Civic car park.
Location
Year
Auckland, NZ
2021
Client
Ngāti Whātua
Ōrākei
Status
Design
In Maori Mythology, Rata and the tree, the children of Tane (birds and insects) are trying to remind Rata to value and respect nature by rebuilding the tree he chopped down. The site is in a similar scenario, and I believe it is an excellent opportunity to honour nature by recovering its ecological function and restoring the Waihorotiu Stream. Eventually, creating a natural corridor in the Auckland CBD start from the site to the Waitemata Harbour.
The ground level associates with the restored Waihorotiu Stream to form an urban wetland park; natural habitats are established at each level for creating a welcome space for the wild species. Thus, reducing the negative effects of urbaniation and enhancing the urban bio-diversity at the same time.
The restored tree in the myth inspires the design; the envelope is a reappearance of leaves inhaling and exhaling, the interior structure is a simulation of branches spread and across, and the living units inside are an imitation of the nest. The design uses only a few space percentages for human residence, and the rest are constructing a natural environment. It is not only a vertical papakainga (village) for humans but also for the children of Tane.
