May 2023 Newsletter

Looking to the horizon

The weather events over the recent months have shown the need for resilient and sustainable development. These events have caused a huge amount of flooding and land subsidence in our region. As a result of this, our survey team have been called upon on numerous projects to survey the landslips and surrounding terrain and infrastructure. We have then been able to provide critical information to engineers and other consultants to enable suitable design for the remediation of this land.

Our staff spot light this month is Caitlin Wallace a valued member of the team. Caitlin has been working in the Mangawhai area for three years since graduating and is an experience Landscape Architect. She is also known to be a keen Big Game fisher.

Staff profile: Caitlin Wallace – Landscape Architect

Caitlin holds a Bachelor of Architecture Studies in Landscape Architecture and a Postgraduate Diploma in Landscape Architecture. Caitlin works alongside our clients to undertake Landscape and Visual Assessments, providing mitigation measures for subdivisions. Cailtin also creates Landscape Planting and Management Plans, Landscape Plans for addressing subdivision and building consent requirements as well as Residential landscape designs.

Project focus: Kahu Drive

This coastal residential project is located in Mangawhai Village and is one which was managed throughout the entire consenting and building process working closely alongside the Owner. The involvement in this project included the preparation of a Land Use Resource Consent Application, planting design and layout to mitigate the building to boundary setback infringements, and managing the landscape component of the project through to completion.

The intent of the planting design was to mitigate the visual effects resulting from the building setback infringement from the property boundary, providing visual softening of the deck and water tanks, and maximising street appeal. The planting design process included thorough site analysis and research, iterative design concepts, a final landscape plan and species palette, and a conceptual visual render of how the planting might look after completion.

The plant selection was carefully considered to ensure a low maintenance garden which reflects the modern coastal theme of the new build, while also considering the heights and density of the planting to ensure the expectations of the local Council were met without interfering with the views towards Mangawhai Harbour. The design outcome has been successfully achieved with the planting now establishing well after eight months of growth.