“Mātai Moana has been at the centre of recent controversy around how it should be transformed. The aim of this project is to contribute to that discussion by proposing an inclusive design process, where different voices and interests have been considered,” he explains. “Many individuals as well as representatives from mana whenua and more than 20 different community groups have participated in a series of lectures, seminars, workshops and reviews. The goal has been to collectively design different Master Plans for the whole area, as well as a wide range of site-specific interventions to gradually transform Mātai Moana.” 

Carles says the project is contributing to the broader discussion around Mātai Moana’s future, with the aim of protecting, restoring and revealing the value of this special site. “As a univeristy, we are an institution that can bring people together, while landscape architecture is a design discipline ideally placed to connect all of the various ecological, social and cultural components that make Mātai Moana so special,” he says.

“I try to connect my teaching through socially engaged practice-based education—this involves working with communities and moving away from the idea that it’s solely the designer and manager who are in charge of the decision making. These types of projects need to be informed by the people who care about the site, so that’s why we’ve done so much work engaging with mana whenua and local residents.”

The designs are on display on 22 and 23 June at the Worser Bay Life Saving Club, 251 Marine Parade, Seatoun, and they can also be viewed online. Visitors to the exhibition will be able provide feedback on the different concepts—these views will be taken into account when producing a consensus design, which will go on public display in September.

For more information, contact Carles Martinez Almoyna Gual on 0212593245 or email carles.almoyna@vuw.ac.nz