Abi Connelly’s recently-found passion for urban design has shaped both her studies and her career aspirations. As a Bachelor of Architectural Studies graduate from Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, she responded to the challenge to reimagine Te Ngākau Civic Precinct, turning an urban design project in her final year into a launchpad for future opportunities.
Feeding into Wellington City Council’s initiative to redevelop the precinct, Abi and her fellow students were tasked with developing an urban design masterplan that brought fresh ideas to this important Wellington space, also known as Civic Square.
“Urban design can be used to shape people’s ways of thinking, and you can use it to encourage people to adopt lifestyle changes that are more sustainable, healthier, and encourage a better sense of community,” explains Abi.
Her outstanding work throughout last year earned her a School of Architecture Excellence Award, while her design was exhibited in a Wellington City Council-sponsored urban design competition, alongside her fellow students in a gallery space in Manners St.
This hands-on experience gave Abi and her peers a real-world glimpse into Council decision-making, as part of a collaborative research initiative between the Council and the University. As she puts it, “Essentially, the brief was to re-design Civic Square—but with no budget limit!” Abi’s coursework doubled as her competition entry.
Asked to propose design ideas that recognised Te Ngākau as the creative, cultural and political heart of Wellington, reflected Mana Whenua values and principles and addressed climate-related challenges, Abi chose a regeneration approach for her urban design work. She said her design aimed to draw people in, using fixtures other than visual cues like signage, instead enabling them to “stumble upon and discover” different areas of a space – including the contentious City to Sea bridge, currently subject to a court challenge against its proposed demolition.
“I figured the bridge could be strengthened and extended out. Maybe there could be room for a cultural centre and provide an outdoor performance area with the sound attracting crowds into the space, also install a larger lawn, with a focus on greening of the space with more trees and plants to attract native wildlife, and generally increase the biodiversity,” says Abi.
Seeing Civic Square in its half state at the start of 2024, with buildings closed but spaces still open for people to use as a lunch stop offered Abi additional perspective into how a remodelled square could look.
And while Abi’s design was essentially theoretical, her current six-month internship with Wellington City Council means she can get insight into how such designs could be incorporated at a practical level, applying essential council processes such as cross-team collaboration and community consultation.
Abi’s studies have also come in handy, with skills in time management, presenting designs and verbally expressing her concepts to an audience were learned through the architecture studies programme. These skills are valued by her new work colleagues.
“I didn’t know what to expect from this internship, but they’ve given me a lot of graphic design work, with my input as a designer taken quite seriously, and I really appreciate that.”
Her time with the council has also helped clarify her thoughts about the discipline.
“I’m generally interested in investigating the concept of regenerative design, [whether it be] architecture or landscape, where the aim is to not only replenish any natural land or resources that have had to be removed but also make it better than it was before.”
Abi, a Cuban/American who lived in Florida prior to her family’s move to Taranaki, hopes to experience urban design in other countries before embarking upon her Master of Architecture next year.
Before beginning her additional studies, she is also keen to make the most of any free time hiking and jamming with her flatmates on electric guitar, while continuing to keep in tune with her potential new profession.
“I am really looking forward to graduation, as it will be an opportunity for me to reflect on the past 3 years of study and have a real sense of accomplishment,” Abi says.
“I have learnt an incredible amount, and I am appreciative of the many different perspectives and approaches to design that the lecturers have taught my cohort. I feel like I have a good knowledge base to push my work further in my Masters, and I am excited for what the future holds.”