HOBSON WHARF ACTIVATIONS
Conceived as an ‘Urban Island’ Hobson Wharf is surrounded by water, providing a unique place for public occupation and activity, celebrating and revealing connections to the wider harbour landscape.
The Resource Consent for the 36th Americas Cup (AC36) requires Bases C-G on Wynyard Point, the end of Halsey Wharf, and Hobson Wharf extension to remain available for use for Marine Events until 2028. This requires Panuku Development to determine uses for these spaces that are permanently flexible for the duration of the consent.
Activation was achieved through the development of set of cohesive, modular and moveable urban furniture elements, that can be redeployed across the waterfront.
Family of bespoke & modular peacemaking elements included:
Bleachers
Modular bleacher and lookout structure that provides different modes of occupation for activations and events. Provide elevated outlook to the harbour and city, housing storage and services below.
Platform
Modular platform system, flexible and adaptable to different configurations for seating, and as a performance stage. Symbiotic with the bleachers.
Flag Forest
A ‘flag forest’ of vertical markers, creates a playful user experience, seen from afar, experienced up close and walked through. Adaptive and interchangeable to support seasonal artwork or events.
Mounds
An ‘urban dune’ element that is playful, sculptural, and can be occupied. The mound is multi-directional offering an outlook to the harbour or city.
See Saws
Supersized, urban play elements that are re-deployable across the waterfront. Incorporates kinetic sound, lighting, and haptic feedback activated by the users.
Canopy Modules
A new shade canopy consisting of 4x deployable modules provides an architectural element and scale on the wharf, as well as placemaking, seating and shade opportunities.
Details
2024
Date
Hobson Wharf, Tāmaki Makaurau - Auckland
Location
Eke Panuku Development Auckland
Client
Budget
$2M
Collaborators
Design Production