MSC Consulting Group in association with Chow Hill Architects was engaged in 2007 to survey, and prepare the concept design and detailed design for the upgrade of Kingsland town centre streetscape.
The Auckland suburb of Kingsland was established in 1882 when John McElwain subdivided his farm to produce 444 allotments. Since 1883, Kingsland has developed from a rural village into a compact yet distinctive part of the central city.
Auckland Council’s long term vision for Auckland is to have “vibrant, distinctive and connected local centres that reflect all our communities”. Kingsland town centre was identified as a priority for upgrade as it is the closest retail/entertainment centre to Eden Park and would have high visitor numbers before and after the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Part of the brief to MSC and Chow Hill was to create a high quality street environment that supported the vitality and street life of the existing retail/entertainment offering and enhance its distinctive character.
MSC’s role in the project was to identify infrastructure-related constraints on potential upgrade scenarios as well as provide both civil and structural design input to upgrading solutions.
A significant amount of local resident consultation and liaison was undertaken during development of the concept design options.
Innovative solutions included the use of catenary lighting to minimise the number of poles and signs in the streetscape and the use of local artists to display artwork on pedestrian thoroughfares.
