Well-kept and attractive gardens are a key element in the aesthetic appeal of any development. A good landscape design creates an enjoyable and inviting living environment, with welcoming outdoor spaces that enhance privacy and contribute to a sense of calm and well-being.
From the outset, the landscape team at Kensington Park has worked hard to create gardens that respond to the development’s unique architectural style, add to the community feel, and complement the local area.
Mitch Burn of landscape architects Greenwood Associates says one goal of the landscaping was to respond to the seaside-style architectural theme of Kensington Park.
“Our gardens are rich with lush and brightly coloured plant species – mainly in vibrant shades of purple, red and green, which complement the seaside architectural style and, at the same time, relate to the Hibiscus Coast location. Subtropical plants such as kentia and nikau palms, bromiliads, rhododendron, loropetalum, strelitzia and cycads tolerate the seaside climate here and create a lush feel,” he says.
“One of the really lovely aspects of Kensington Park is the number of existing mature trees that have been retained. We have beautiful mature 200-year-old puriri and pohutukawa that add immeasurably to the character, as well as to a sense of this being a long-established community.
To ensure gardens are always in peak condition, Kensington Park grows the species it plans to use in its own nurseries, providing a readily available source of mature-grade plants both for new beds and to replace existing plants where needed. And, as new homes and apartments are built, the nurseries have a stock of mature plants on hand to create a seamless connection between existing and new developments.
“The landscaping needs to appear well-maintained and very tidy all the time. To do this, we have layered the planting in garden areas, with taller shrubs and trees at the back to give height, and smaller plants layered down towards footpaths so the gardens look tidy and paths are open and unimpeded for people out walking.”
Mitch Burn
Layering the gardens alongside the footpaths also helps to soften the front facades of the apartment buildings and screens basement garaging from the street.
For residents who want to take an active role in the gardening, the landscape design incorporates vegetable allotments in raised beds made from untreated hardwood. “Residents can do as much or as little as they like,” says Burn. “Some people want to be self-sufficient, others enjoy a bit of gardening, and it’s a good way to meet people and foster community spirit.”
Gardening isn’t the only way to meet other locals – community gathering spaces of varying sizes include barbecue facilities with sheltered outdoor dining tables and chairs, are spread throughout the gardens. “The generosity of these outdoor spaces makes them ideal for small or larger groups of family, friends and neighbours,” says Burn.
Other community facilities for residents include a pétanque court, putting green and swimming pool.
Open green spaces are part of the appeal, with generous lawns for residents to use, and plenty of seating nooks for anyone wanting to find a little peace and quiet or contemplate the views.
Water is a soothing element in a landscape, and Kensington Park’s lake is a key feature of the central community space. “Not only is it an attractive element in the development, but it also acts as a wetland to absorb any on-site stormwater, contributing to the resilience of Kensington Park now and in the future to cope with severe weather events.”
Keeping the neighbourhood safe is an objective of both apartment design and the landscaping. Kitchens, living areas, terraces and decks tend to face the street but are elevated, so residents’ privacy is protected from passersby. However, people walking along the road are visible from apartments. “This passive surveillance is a really effective way to create safe and friendly neighbourhoods. Privacy is protected, but you can see people on the street – and maybe invite them in for a coffee….” says Burn.
A thoughtfully designed street layout reinforces the community atmosphere – with defined entry and exit points, street lighting, roads and pathways that are consistent across the development. “These all add to the sense of community, safety and security – a feeling of belonging to a neighbourhood where everyone is looking after each other,” says Burn.
Kensington Park revolves around the residents, with streets designed to encourage cars to drive slowly, and wide paths and cycleways that make it safe for strolling pedestrians and cyclists. Easy connections to Orewa enable residents to enjoy the shops, cafes, and white-sand beach five minutes away, and the Alice Eaves Scenic Reserve on the northern boundary.
Greenwood Associates
Greenwood Associates has been part of the New Zealand landscape industry for over 25 years, successfully delivering complex projects from the Lakeside Residences at Jacks Point in Queenstown to The Helier Retirement Living and Care Residences in Auckland.
The experienced design team offers a complete landscape architectural service that covers all aspects of Resource Consent submission and master planning through to project supervision.
Greenwood can work closely with project teams for private developers and government organisations to create unified, cohesive and beautiful results, understanding that every project is unique and requires a bespoke solution.
