Combining interpretation, exhibition, and performance with informal public use at Te Papa's only living exhibition.
Bush City is an example of what can be achieved with New Zealand indigenous plants, providing the correct plants are selected and the right growing conditions are provided.
Boffa Miskell was part of the Te Papa design team, creating the design and documentation for the exterior landscape. By the time we became involved, the concept and siting of the museum building and environs had already been decided.
A long narrow site on the western side of the museum building was designated for part of the natural history exhibition area for development of a harbour park. The museum’s natural history specialists had developed a brief describing conceptually what they wanted this outdoor exhibition area (later called Bush City) to achieve.
The initial work involved developing, with the museum’s natural history specialists and the wider project team, a detailed brief for Bush City. Boffa Miskell produced preliminary design concepts which were then refined through a series of workshops with the project team and a preferred concept adopted.
