Te Pae Christchurch Convention & Exhibition Centre is a key anchor project in the Christchurch rebuild and has provided huge economic and cultural benefits to the city. The design was a collaboration between Woods Bagot, Warren and Mahoney, and Kamo Marsh Landscape Architects. The landscape design is strongly influenced by the Ngāi Tahu cultural narrative and the traditional forms of the kowhaiwhai patterning. The curvilinear spine walls, seating elements and paving pattern inform are directly informed by the kowhaiwhai design and create a series of spaces for occupation and encourage access to the nearby Avon River. The landscaping forms the threshold between the surrounding public realm (Victoria Square, ARP, Cathedral Sq, Colombo St) and the more private Convention Centre and aims to blur the boundaries between the two, encouraging the public to occupy the spaces and create a seamless integration into the urban fabric.
Key Elements
- Creating spaces for varying volumes of pedestrian use
- Incorporating the new with the existing established landscape
- Cultural design integration
- Taking cues from site history
Project Data
Landscape Architecture: Kamo Marsh
Other designers involved in the design of landscape: Matapopare, Woods Bagot, Fayne Robinson
Design year: 2017 – 2019
Year Built: 2020 – 2021
Photographer: Lightforge Photography
Manufacturer of urban equipment: Bully Boy, Walkspace
