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The wharf is a very popular feature of Beach Haven Subscribe to our free newsletter Your personal information will not be sold, given away or shared with anyone else. View previous newsletters Accredited member (Landscape Design) of The Landscape Industries Association of New Zealand (Landscaping New Zealand)			HEART OF BEACH HAVEN PROJECT JULY 2011 We are finally seeing some action on the ground in Beach Haven. The contract for the Rangatira Road gateway project has been let to local contractor North Harbour Paving and Construction.  It has started this week, and we hope to see it completed in 5 weeks time. Neil Coleman's sketch plan for the Rangatira Road gateway The first mural has been completed. Local graphic artist Neil Coleman, from ASAP, took on the project management of the mural, and has learnt a whole new set of skills as a result! He's now keen to create several more murals in the area. The feedback from the community has been fantastic. Images from the completed mural FEBRUARY 2011 Part of the Heart of Beach Haven placemaking project involves painting murals on blank walls within the shopping centre. Neil Coleman, from ASAP, has prepared the sketch below for the first mural, to be placed on the chemist's wall on the left as you enter Beach Haven along Rangatira Road. This image reflects the theme of the wharf and recreation. We expect to see this mural taking shape within the next few weeks. NOVEMBER 2010 LandscapeWorks has been engaged to prepare the working drawings for the Rangatira Gateway to Beach Haven. The first thing they pointed out was that our conceptual ideas would come in well over the budget allocated by North Shore City Council! We rapidly had to rethink our priorities for this project.  Latest Draft Plan for the Beach Haven Rangatira Rd Gateway, prepared by LandscapeWorks This plan references the wharf theme with the use of a timber boardwalk and timber bollards close to the road-edge, alerting drivers to the fact that they are approaching a pedestrian zone. The blue and sand-coloured road treatment represents water and beach around the wharf. Movable street furniture and sculptures will be carved from old wharf piles, sourced from Westhaven and Birkenhead Wharf. We are still finalising details, but feel confident that the essence of the design has been retained in this latest proposal. JULY 2010 The Beach Haven Community Project, now named the Heart of Beach Haven Project, is moving forward rapidly with strong support from the local community. Three key areas were highlighted for development by the original February workshops: · Entranceways or gateways to the shopping centre · A central square or gathering place · Enhancement of a key roundabout The initial funding will only cover a small part of this vision, one gateway being selected for this purpose. The working group has developed a detailed concept plan for this aspect of the proposal, with significant input from Neil Coleman of ASAP, one of our members who also happens to be one of Auckland's best architectural sketch and perspective artists! Neil Coleman's sketch of the proposed Beach Haven gateway, copyright Neil Coleman Landscape architects experienced in working with council projects have now been appointed to draw up the plans for consent applications and pricing, and the Community Board have given their approval. We have also taken our proposals for the overall project to the Community Board, who have made the recommendation that the project should be implemented and funded. The whole process of consulting with the community, council and mana whenua has been a wonderful experience. MARCH 2010 I moved into a new home in the coastal suburb of Beach Haven in the spring of 2009, and am really enjoying living in this community. Last month the North Shore City Council invited residents of Beach Haven to attend an ideas and project planning workshop for a project to enhance the area. This workshop was facilitated by David Engwicht, an Australian philosopher, artist and sculptor who has a strong interest in place making, building community and the reclaiming of streets by local residents. David is also the inventor of the Walking School Bus. This 2 day workshop was well attended by a mix of residents and business owners, myself included. I found the approach to urban design used by David to be quite an eye-opener, giving the community a real sense of ownership. The attendees came up with a shared vision for Beach Haven, which played on the seaside location and the very popular wharf. I have agreed to be part of the working group which will move forward with this project in association with the City Council. I look forward to seeing this vision become a reality in the next few months, and will keep you informed on the progress.
P: 09 483 5621 M: 021 480 562 E: robyn@LLDesign.co.nz © Copyright Laurenson Landscape Design 2011