Landscape Architecture

At Habitat Restorations Aotearoa, we tailor each design response to our clients' visions and aims, as well as the unique characteristics of each site. We ensure our designs are practical to implement and are well versed at collaborating with other disciplines to ensure a cohesive design outcome.

We can provide landscape design for a range of scales and budgets. Some examples of our design services include:

• Concept plans
• Detailed design
• Masterplanning
• Landscape plans
• Revegetation plans
• Graphic illustrations

Landscape design for the upgrade of the civic space Lorne Street, in the main centre of South Dunedin. The design was driven by creating a place where people can stop, meet and connect and was informed by feedback from the community, while working within site and project constraints.

Main design elements were inspired by the natural and industrial history of the site, with references to wetland birds made throughout the area, including on the repurposed steel screen and tree grates. A main feature of the area is a repurposed boiler, which takes a second life as a planter and is painted black to evoke visions of the last steam engine fabricated at the Hillside Workshop around the corner from the site.

Planting design for a subdivision in Dunedin which focused on high amenity entrance planting. Low maintenance planting was used for the steep bank below the roadside, using mass planting with several species to create interest through texture and colour, while avoiding potential shading on buildings and outdoor living areas.

The lower bank was mass planted for residents to look down on, while maintaining sight lines. Some taller species were used in strategic locations to create interest through height variation. A shared orchard on the level grass area provides a community space and a source of food.

Working collaboratively with the Dunedin City Council Parks and Recreation Team to provide a landscape design for the upgrade of the McMillan Park playground.

The design process included analysis of the existing equipment and site layout to understand project priorities to achieve the highest impact within project parameters.

The final design included a natural play area, a tower with two slides, inclusive play elements (including a carousel), swings, hammock, climbing net, seating, and new soft fall with an autumn leaf pattern.

Concept plan for the planned upgrade of the Marlow Park destination playground, used as part of the tender documents for the project. The plan was developed collaboratively with the Dunedin City Council Parks and Recreation Team and mana whenua (through Aukaha).

The concept included various climbing structures, including bespoke play equipment to reinforce the cultural narrative of navigation, a bespoke accessible net tower with several slides, a slide "hub", parkour area, planting and seating areas, and a network of accessible paths.

Landscape design for Tomahawk Beach carpark to create an attractive space, including designing the carpark layout, edge treatments (such as planting and fencing), suggested placement for proposed signage, and street furniture.

Design of the Watson Park playground upgrade in collaboration with the Dunedin City Council Parks and Recreation Team. The playground design took into consideration feedback from children at the adjacent school, who are one of the playground's main user groups.

While we couldn't include a rollercoaster, we were able to incorporate a large climbing net, a spinner, swing, climbing frames, interactive play panels, slide, trampoline, a wavy shared path, connection with the adjacent half pipe, and a new inclusive access track.

Landscape design for the Opoho playground upgrade in collaboration with the Dunedin City Council Parks and Recreation Team. The design carefully worked with the existing trees and focused on natural play equipment. The result was an informal obstacle course where kids (and adults) can race each other along the length of the playground.

Play elements include a tower and slide, balance beams, steppers, commando net, balance rope, monkey bars, seesaw, swings, seating, and an accessible path to navigate throughout the playground.

Landscape design for the rehabilitation of a quarry, with staged works over a 10 year time period.

The design included a network of shared recreational pathways, wetland enhancement, picnic locations, natural play, educational elements (such as bird hides and interpretative signage), and a public parking area.

The vision of the design was 'Exploration and Re-Creation', with the aim to not solely restore the land to how it was but to rehabilitate the land to tell a new story, which includes its various states in the past.

Landscape design for Te Umu Kuri (Wellers Rock) to assist in the restoration of the area by including a formed boat ramp, excluding carparking on the sandbar through the careful placement of rocks, and design of an alternative parking area. 

Landscape design for various cemeteries throughout Dunedin, on behalf of the Dunedin City Council Parks and Recreation Team. Designs included new ash beams and burial layouts, ash scattering gardens, memorial walls and areas, amenity gardens, and seating.

Native planting design for Pan Pac Otago (industrial, timber mill site) to mitigate potential visual effects. The design took into consideration shading and sight line restrictions (for both rail and roads), working closely with Clutha District Council.

Planting considered other site restrictions, including overhead and underground services, and fluctuating water levels in swales and ponds.

The selected native planting reflects the natural character of the area, creating an aesthetically pleasing landscape, providing visual interest, and enhancing the biodiversity of the site.