Landscape Architecture students develop concepts for Otari-Wilton’s Bush nursery
Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture has partnered with the Wellington City Council to develop concept designs that will influence the future of the nursery at Otari-Wilton’s Bush.
In July, a group of third year Landscape Architecture students held a community workshop where members of the public and Wellington City Council shared ideas and identified opportunities for the future potential of the nursery. Eleven concepts have been designed based on this feedback.
The concepts are on display in the Central Library until Sunday 23 September and people are invited to vote on their favourite concept.
The three concept design goals were to integrate the nursery into the Otari visitor experience, rearrange the nursery layout to better enable efficiency and safety, and upgrade the nursery infrastructure and equipment.
The nursery at Otari-Wilton’s Bush plays an important role for conservation and the community. Plants are grown there for both gardens and forest, including the cultivation of threatened species for restoration projects in the Wellington region and beyond. These projects are often in partnership with government and charitable organisations. The nursery is also used by schools and community groups for education and training.
“Partnering with local government creates opportunities for civic engagement,” says Carles Martinez-Almonya Gual, the students’ lecturer. “It’s an opportunity for our students to work with real projects that effect real people using a participatory process. Students are able to learn different approaches to design, getting input from people who’ll be using these spaces.”
“The Landscape Architecture programme has been collaborating with Otari-Wilton’s Bush for many years. In early 2017 we partnered with Wellington City Council for the design and implementation of a temporary project on Tory Street. The majority of the plants used in that project came from Otari. This new project is a continuation of a productive and pleasant long-term relationship.”
Rewi Elliot, the Manager of Otari Native Botanic Garden and Wilton’s Bush Reserve, says, “This is a fantastic opportunity to work alongside upcoming landscape architects. The Otari nursery is where the magic happens behind the scenes, where we grow new plants to support the native botanic garden and threatened species in the wild. These concept designs are an important step in thinking about how we might bring the activities in our nursery into our visitor experience.”
The exhibition showcasing these designs is being held on the mezzanine floor of the Central Library from 14 to 23 September. People are able to vote for their preferred concept design at the Wellington Central Library exhibition or on Facebook.