Reflection
I concluded semester ones research by asking myself the question, ‘how can outdoor spaces in the city be better designed to utilise the permanent and temporary aspects of site, to facilitate activities of gathering?’
I felt this question was broad and to really make traction to being able to give an answer, I needed a site to focus on. I chose Taranaki Wharf as my site, and soon decided it was in need of a hot pool. Originally I thought the hot pool would be a temporary installation during the winter months, but soon discovered the logistics of this with a pool would be challenging. My next steps took me on to design a space that re-activated the site in winter, but was still desired in summer and an overall good addition that helped to facilitate gatherings.
The hot pool provides a shared experience for locals and tourists, with features that help people cross each others paths and force thoughtfulness towards others sharing the space. There is one route that goes through the pool area, there are pockets of space in the pool where people can stop, there are hoses that spray water onto swimmers and views of scenery and jumping platform activity to draw people towards both ends. The cafe area allows people to participate in the activity there without having to swim, but still gives them a spatial connection to those who are.
I can confidently say, gathering in a city space requires intervention.
The intervention can be anything, it doesn’t have to be a hot pool, but it sure can be too. An intervention gives people something to talk about, look at, laugh at, particulate in, stop at, buy at, photograph. An intervention can be temporary or permanent, but the best ones give people a better appreciation for their surroundings and the people they share them with. An intervention allows people a chance to share a moment with others, creating memories and experiences in common, uniting them, even if just for that moment.
The Waterfront Lido is a permanent pool intervention that gives people a chance to share an experience that may be brief or longer lasting.
If I was going to continue this project, I would love to develop the cafe/changing room area more. I think it could be better integrated with the rest of the site and allow an easier flow into the lower pool space.