‘The Stack’ is a Nohonga 2022 finalist

The Nohonga design competition asks teams of landscape architects to design and build a seat for use in the public realm.

Along with meeting requirements of buildability, safety and manoeuverability, the concepts needed to respond to the 2022 theme of Te Ao Hurihanga – Climate Resilience.

A team comprised of Auckland-based landscape architects Monica Bainbridge, Alex Smith and Nicole Tune presented The Stack.

Their design was inspired by the ideas of permanence and impermanence; and the philosophical concepts of lasting versus flux. On a practical level, The Stack needed to ensure strength and stability while encouraging decay and disruption.

“Initial concepts leaned towards utilising the simplest construction form — the brick,” says Alex Smith. “However, as it became clear that an appropriately sized Nohonga was going to be too heavy, the team explored alternative materials and construction methods.”

The interlocking nature of the brick, and a palette of simple building materials led the team to use a combination of salvaged, reclaimed, and foraged timbers. With the use of a variety of timber species and grades a design which reflects both permanence and impermanence could be realised.

The careful placement and stacking of hardwood beams amongst less durable timbers creates a sturdy framework which will remain as a strong contrast while other members decompose.

“This material selection was also a kinder, lower carbon option for the project,” explains Monica Bainbridge. “The age-old form vs function balance ensued as the structure required an accessible surface to sit on while illustrating a sense of decomposition from day one.”

Two adjacent sides of The Stack are neatly interlocked timber beams, similar to a Jenga puzzle; while the opposite two sides are a more disassembled pattern — appearing as if the structure is decaying over time. And, as the salvaged and foraged timbers continue to break down at varying speeds, they will provide nourishment and habitat for invertebrates and native wildlife.

“We wanted to evoke a sense of the impact of a millennia of crashing waves on cliffs, or the slow decay of a fallen tree,” says Nicole Tune. “It may take several years before the first naturally-occurring gaps in the form are presented. We think of it as slow-moving performance art where nature is the performer. ”

The team will receive support from Nohonga sponsors Brick Bay and Resene as they move to the construction phase. The completed designs will be installed in Britomart in time for the 2022 NZILA Conference.

Read more
From concept to production: the Nohonga Design Challenge
Success for Boffa Miskell at the Nohonga Design Challenge
Nohonga take their place in Britomart Square

For further information
Please contact Monica Bainbridge or Alex Smith.