Plans for Stadium’s environment unveiled

17 November 2006

Plans for Stadium’s environment unveiled

A 100 metre by 40 metre green park on the western side of the Stadium of New Zealand and a beach across its entire northern side are two key developments announced by the design team today.

“The result will be a public space which incorporates a stadium rather than a stadium imposing itself on a public space,” said Warren and Mahoney director Andrew Barclay.

“The park and the city beach will be a unique experience at the point where Auckland meets the sea, a landscaped meeting space in the centre of the city for CBD workers and visitors to Auckland alike.”

Key heritage elements, the Admiralty Steps and the Red Fence will be preserved within this environment.

Adding to the space and accessibility is the building’s transparency, giving a direct visual connection from the outside in, and the inside out.

Mr Barclay said the focus of the design team to date had, by necessity, been primarily on the structure.

“As the urban design options are being refined and the opportunities identified, it’s clear that the Stadium precinct will be a major point of connection between Auckland and the water.

“Like the Sydney Opera House, the Stadium will give public access right around the building, and will be a means of drawing people to the water’s edge.

“But unlike Sydney, there is also the opportunity for a large green park to the water’s edge, and a beach giving the public direct access to the water.”

This connection will be a continuation of the public promenade that is evolving from Westhaven Marina to Mission Bay.

Mr Barclay said the urban design for the Stadium precinct was being developed with ‘public activity generation’ as its number one objective.

Key to encouraging people to make full use of the waterfront and the Stadium’s facilities was a means of getting to and from the facility with ease.

“Auckland has a world class transport inter-change at its heart. It makes sense, therefore, to have world class facilities to encourage people to make full use of the area and to make full advantage of the investment in Britomart.”

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ENDS

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