Wetlandscape is a walkway experience, evolving a deep conversation between mind, body and the earth.  A sense of wanderlust is evoked as the path weaves throughout the land. The walkway explores a rich landscape of regenerating native wetlands and vibrant vines at Rarangi vineyard, Blenheim. Industry partner Wither Hills procured my help to envision their goal to showcase these wetlands to the public through a walkway designed with sustainability, accessibility and wine tourism in mind. As A spatial designer I engage in the realms of landscape architecture, architecture and design to navigate the field of space making in the landscape. Through out this journey I challenge the norm with respect to the ways of designing for the land in New Zealand, particularly the ways of design practised by the Department of Conservation urging the importance of design when constructing in the landscape.

 

The poetic journey through the landscape evolved from intensive site studies and the identification of eight specific ‘nodes’ or sites of inspiration that are seminal to the formation of the master plan. Eight Follies emerged to occupy these nodes as spaces of movement and event that have a strong dialog with their environment. The follies are all characters within the same story integrated into the pathway to frame moments and elevate the walker in the landscape. To entice a heightened experience of the site this project positions the sensate body as an important figure in enabling unique experiences utilising the ubiquitous quality of architecture to generate mood and atmosphere. This is explored through sensitive selection and treatment of materials and space through comprehensive testing via model making and material sampling. The vision for the realisation of this project is one of encounters of growth and movement, water seeping, materials breaking down, insects bouncing on grasses, bird sound, the heat of the sun or bite of the winters winds, the effects of the seasons, the fall of light at different times of day and the different temperatures within each folly. This journey is as much about lasting resonance as it is about the immediate experience. The intent is that, at the end of the journey, the walker will have an enhanced appreciation of wetland aspiring the further protection and restoration of these last vestiges of wetlands that occupy the Wairau plain