DAMIAN POWLEY
INTERVIEW
Where or what is your first memory of place?
I grew up in West Auckland, and I immediately think of those iconic beaches, and Waitakere Ranges – so defining of the area. But if I really think back around my first memory of place, I am drawn to my marae Torere nui a rua – in the Bay of Plenty. Those memories of place are really alive with people – fishing, gardening, and just being and living in ‘place’.
What do you think of the term ‘placemaking’?
I think the term allows wider inclusion of ‘people’ into the mix. It is not just something imparted on the landscape and that’s it, but the ongoing evolution of landscape and people that really make a place. It is always interesting when something is designed with a certain intention, yet gets reinterpreted by those who use it (I immediately think of playgrounds or playspaces often designed by people older than the intended user…..) it is the people defining the place.
When thinking of place, how do you approach the process of design?
Collaboratively – again its about people – and often a whole range of people all with good ideas – but different perspectives. ‘Collaboratively’ is not to be confused with ‘design by committee’ – in reality is there a difference? Yes – collaboratively still needs a leader – and Landscape Architects...
What do landscape architects need to understand about New Zealand to practice here?
I cant say I have ‘worked’ overseas to specify any difference – but- understand that landscape is very much a part of who we are – that’s all New Zealanders.
Place is not always urban or within a cityscape. At what scale does placemaking begin?
Where there people, we are constantly shaping our environment. Even the most untouched areas are designated so.
Does community consultation fit into your design process and where does the weight sit… client, user, design process or intuition.Pie chart perhaps?
Absolutely – we generally build it for the ‘people’. It is important that people feel like they have a say, that they feel involved, and feel a part of something that may impact on the lives. This used to be a part of our role as Landscape Architects that I used to fear – but it is actually one of the most rewarding. When people use a space that they feel like they have had some say on, or invested something of themselves into – then you have that buy in. Taking them on the journey through that process, making sure they understand certain decisions even if they may not agree with them, or the majority disagrees, that is often the only way to push the boundaries.
Do you need consensus to make design decisions?
Not at all. Sometimes the majority don’t quite know what they want. If I look back at some of the more ‘controversial’ projects I have had the pleasure to be involved with, they never would have gotten off the ground (or into the ground so to speak) but have become some of the most successful. Sometimes the majority needs to get pushed outside of the box.
It’s simple to focus on supporting or easy to sway stakeholders to generate input to satisfy a client’s desired outcome. How do you target consultation?
I don’t know if that can be summarised easily in a few sentences. What I would say – it needs to be relevant, specific and concise. As I mentioned earlier, taking people on the journey to a desired outcome is truly a collaborative process. There is no point asking questions or engaging in consultation just for the sake of it. Eg; ‘tell us what you like?’ – is to open ended and will often lead people to tell you want they don’t like – and that might not be that helpful… Be more specific; ‘do you think kids will prefer the octopus swing or the rocket slide?’
Do you analyse or critique past projects as to how well they function for people and create a sense of place or identity? Is this objective or subjective?
I think this is a critical part of the design process that we could do much better, and more often. It is very important to have some objectivity or third part opinion – otherwise it is not as honest.
How do we make a contemporary sense of place?
If I think back to the playground example – how ‘place’ often gets used in unexpected ways – sometimes different to those intended. It is important to remember that those are what keeps it fresh. Get ‘people’ involved in the place making process – don’t just consult but engage.
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