6.6 Princes Wharf - Hilton Hotel Observation Deck

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1 6.6 Princes Wharf - Hilton Hotel Observation Deck Fig 9. View West from Hilton Hotel Observation Deck The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

2 The Hilton Hotel Observation Deck sits to the west of Queens Wharf. The image was taken from the front of the ground floor lobby and bar area. In this closer vantage point, Queens Wharf is best identified in view by the long undulating elevation of The Cloud and the Northern public open space. The northern public open space delineates where the proposed Lighthouse will sit. The trees of the northern public open space will provide visual relief between both buildings. The Lighthouse will sit centrally within the vantage point beyond the northern public open space of the The Cloud. From this angle, it highlights the differing scales of both The Lighthouse and The Cloud. Again, greater detail of the model home will contrast appropriately against its foreign environment in particularly the undulating form of The Cloud. It is possible when viewed by day that the simplicity and strength of the neutral box like form, reminiscent of a home or house will be conveyed. By night, a glowing beacon, a warm welcome light or lighthouse will be evident with the added value of an identifiable profile of a home beyond the glow of the chandeliers. Due to the differing light effects of The Cloud and The lighthouse along this Eastern elevation it is arguable that a potential clash may occur. However, it is recognized that the light effects of The lighthouse are static as opposed to the dynamic light effects of the The Cloud. The effect upon Waitemata Harbour and the wider viewing audience is high and is a positive contributor to the harbourscape. It is anticipated that it will fulfill all of its intended functions of welcoming visitors on cruise ships to New Zealand as they approach from the North, drawing visitors along the 375m wharf thus encouraging unhindered public access and views across the Waitemata harbour and capturing the eye of the viewer invoking curiosity. The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

3 6.7 Queen Street - Auckland Ferry Terminal Fig 10. View North along the central access spine The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

4 The Auckland Ferry Terminal is an additional vantage point chosen to test the intended function of the proposed lighthouse as a draw to visitors from the South along the 375m wharf thus encouraging un hindered public access and views across the Waitemata Harbour. The image was taken just beyond the red iron gates of Queens Wharf. Queens Wharf is best described in this view as a functional wharf and as identified in the existing conditions, again it highlights the need of an urban magnet at the northern tip of the wharf to provide greater pedestrian activity and activate the inactive edges of The Cloud and Shed 10 when they are not in use reinforcing the certainty of its laid claim as the peoples wharf. Whilst partly obscured by a series of small trees, The Lighthouse will sit to the East of the access spine within the vantage point. This vantage point highlights that the The Lighthouse will be slowly revealed reiterating that around each corner a different experience is gained by the viewer. Greater detail of the model house will contrast appropriately against its foreign environment of the hard concrete base of the wharf structure and the undulating form of The Cloud and Shed 10. It is possible when viewed by day that the simplicity and strength of the neutral box like form, reminiscent of a home or house will be conveyed. By night, a glowing beacon, a warm welcome light or lighthouse will be evident with the added value of an identifiable profile of a home beyond the glow of the chandeliers. On approach the welcoming steps of the proposed viewing platform and plinth will also be evident invoking curiosity and encouraging the people to engage directly with it. The effect upon Waitemata Harbour, the Queen Street axis and the wider viewing audience is high and is a positive contributor to the harbourscape as well as enhancing the visual connectivity of the city to the water. It is anticipated that it will fulfill all of its intended functions of welcoming visitors on cruise ships to New Zealand as they approach from the North, drawing visitors along the 375m wharf thus encouraging un hindered public access and views across the Waitemata harbour and capturing the eye of the viewer invoking curiosity. The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

5 6.8 Silo Park Fig 11. View East from Silo Park The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

6 The Silo Park is the final vantage point. The image was taken from the northern most point of the Wynyard Quarter Development. Another public viewing area of the Waitemata Harbour. In this vantage point, Queens Wharf is only just revealed beyond the Hilton Hotel. It will be best identified in view by the distinguishable form of The Cloud and the The Lighthouse. The Lighthouse will sit centrally within the vantage point. It will be discernable due to the contrasting colours of the The Lighthouse that is light in colour and that of the darker container wharf beyond. It is possible when viewed by day that the simplicity and strength of the neutral box like form, reminiscent of a home or house will be conveyed. By night, a glowing beacon, a warm welcome light or lighthouse will be evident with the added value of an identifiable profile of a home beyond the glow of the chandeliers. Whilst there are differing light effects of The Cloud and The lighthouse along this Eastern elevation, it will be proportionate due to the Hilton Hotel obscuring much of The Cloud. The effect upon Waitemata Harbour and the wider viewing audience is high and is a positive contributor to the harbourscape. It is anticipated that it will fulfill all of its intended functions of welcoming visitors on cruise ships to New Zealand as they approach from the North, drawing visitors along the 375m wharf thus encouraging unhindered public access and views across the Waitemata harbour and capturing the eye of the viewer invoking curiosity. The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

7 7 Summary This report outlined an urban design and visual assessment by DKO Architecture NZ in support of the resource consent application by Waterfront Auckland for The Lighthouse public artwork at the tip of Queens Wharf, Auckland. DKO Architecture NZ considered the Application for Resource Consent and Assessment of Environmental effects report compiled by Tattico as well as supplied drawings as attached in the supporting appendix. The urban design and visual assessment did not seek to critique or question the public artwork and its individual merits as piece of public art. It did, however seek to deduce the simplicity and strength of the public artwork and evaluate the artworks direct effects and value upon the public realm, both spatially and visually. 7.1 Conclusion It is clear by the urban design and visual assessment that the proposed public artwork is a positive contributor to Auckland. The simplicity and strength of the public artwork clearly reinforces its intended primary functions and justifies the suitability of its location. A number of key themes that support the resource consent application have arisen from the analysis of the existing conditions, urban design and the visual assessment. They can be briefly described as follows: Waitemata Harbourscape The Lighthouse is a positive contributor to the Waitemata Harbourscape. The Lighthouse is a positive contributor at all scales and will further enhance the city of sails. When viewed at a greater distance the functions are better served as The Lighthouse for welcoming visitors on cruise ships to New Zealand as they approach from the North. When viewed closer and as you move around the proposed artwork it draws visitors along the 375m wharf encouraging un hindered public access and views across the Waitemata Harbour for the public to enjoy. The Lighthouse brings legibility and visual interest ensuring the future success of Auckland, a city defined by the water. Queen Street Wharf Queen Street Wharf is a functional wharf with a number of building uses and public spaces. The addition of The Lighthouse will reinforce its laid claim as the peoples wharf by enhancing pedestrian activity within and around it. Visitors will be drawn along the 375m wharf activating the previously seasonal, The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

8 weather and event dependent edges thus adding greater value to the existing wharf and access spine. Interfaces It is uncertain the existing interfaces of The Cloud and Shed 10 and their flexible uses along the access spine will enhance The Lighthouse when viewed from the Ferry Terminal. The need of an urban magnet at the northern tip of the wharf to provide greater pedestrian activity activating the access spine is a positive contribution to the public realm. It is envisaged that when The Cloud and Shed 10 are in use they will indeed further enhance Queens Wharf. Experiences The addition of The Lighthouse is a new experience to Queens Wharf. The Lighthouse will be experienced from a vast number of vantage points and personal experiences. From all distances and perspectives, The Lighthouse captures the eye of the viewer and invokes curiosity. Whether positive or negative, public art seeks to challenge the viewer arguably the ultimate success of any public building or artwork. Accessibility Physical accessibility is possible by a number of modes of public/private transport and by foot. Clear setbacks around the plinth and opportunities to engage directly with The Lighthouse ensures accessibility for all enhancing your personal experience at a closer scale. Value to Public Realm Although reduced in area, there is still sufficient public realm surrounding The Lighthouse. The addition of The Lighthouse could lay the foundation for further works within the public realm and may include possible permanent food and beverage opportunities that service visitors to The Lighthouse. Value of Public Art The value of public art indeed contributes to the Auckland Waterfront and recognizes the goals of Auckland Council. The simplicity and strength of The Lighthouse provides clear recognition of heritage including natural, built, cultural and maritime is encompassed within the design as well as improves the existing conditions it sits within. DKO Architecture NZ recommends the full support of the Resource Consent application by Waterfront Auckland for The Lighthouse public artwork at the tip of Queens Wharf, Auckland. The urban design and visual assessment identifies the impact of this public artwork is less than minor. The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

9 8 Appendix The Lighthouse Queens Wharf, Auckland. Urban Design and Visual Assessment REV A

10 lak e Pde e Lak rid g e Sir Pe ter B Rd 1 Bayswater d int R rb o ey P tanl Cal liop Ha rbo u S er d Vic Au tori ckl ar d and 2 Stanley Point 3 Devonport Wharf 7 Auc Site Location 4 5 Ports of Auckland Waitemata Harbour 6 klan y St e St w Fansha CBD r id ak m Ta St y Qua Quee n wa n St tor Hob so dm o 199