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St Patrick's Square upgrade

Project snapshot | The Square today | Project objectives | Concept design | Feedback from consultation | Construction information | Further information | History | Have your say

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Concept design

On 6 September 2007, the council's Urban Strategy and Governance Committee delegated authority to approve the final concept design to the CBD Board. The CBD Board approved the final concept design on 24 September.

The design's direction has been set by the project objectives. It includes new paving, street furniture, water features, planting and artworks.

• Key design features
• Site plan

Key design features

Water feature

• People told us that water needed to be a central element in the design.
• It consists of three distinct yet connected elements - connecting the cathedral, terraces and lower square.
• Water will appear and reappear in various forms through the square.
• People will be able to hear and touch it.
• The existing water features will be removed to make way for new water features.

Upper Terrace

This part of the water feature is a figurative link to the Cathedral's baptismal font on the North Transept axis. The feature will consist of a textured paved surface covered in a shallow layer of moving water to create a rippling effect. Water will start its follow from a crack in the paving nearest to the cathedral then disappear at the other end to continue its journey.

Central Terrace

Water has found its way under the lawn, gathering momentum to cascade through the central terraces. The force of the water leads to a dispersal at the edges and the creation of stepping-stones. The water is like a mountain stream, where children and adults alike can splash and play. It drops and disappears into a deep cavity that creates a hollow sound effect.

Lower Terrace

Water has continued to flow from the base of the cascade under the paving to reappear under a cut away stone slab. The water is slow moving and deeper, distributing evenly across the pool before disappearing for a final time beneath the slab.

Lighting

• The lighting aims to make people feel safe and create ambience.
• Feature lighting of:
  • St Patrick's Cathedral
  • water feature
  • art works
  • selected trees
  • main walking routes.
• Lighting on the eastern side of the square will be slightly brighter than the western side to indicate that this is the main path for safety and security at night.

Art works

Artistic elements will be incorporated into the design. The square's history and cultural significance will be reflected by both standalone artworks and elements within the landscaping.

• Step touch stone

A black granite sculpture by Auckland artist Steve Woodward will anchor the lower square and link it with St Patrick's Cathedral.

• Stone seating

Placed throughout the square, it provides for individual or group seating.

• Heritage mats

Engraving in the paving will convey the history of St Patrick's Cathedral and the Presbytery. Queen Street has successfully used this idea.

Paving

• The proposed new paving consists of a mix of high-quality stone and limestone.
• A hexagonal motif around the cathedral reflects patterns found in nature, St Patrick's Cathedral roof and nave tiling.

Parking

• There will be no parking for service and private vehicles as the square prioritises pedestrians. The exception is in the cathedral grounds, where St Patrick's parish will continue to have limited car parks for congregational use.
• Emergency, maintenance and private car park access is allowed - but vehicles need to give way to pedestrians.
• Street parking will be removed on Wyndham Street. The space will be used to widen the footpath for pedestrians.
• The loading zone will be moved further west on Wyndham Street.
• Car parking spaces from the Federal Street extension, within the square, will be removed.

Pedestrian access

• The western and eastern edges are the pedestrian direct routes between Wyndham and Swanson streets, creating space in the middle for people to gather and relax.
• The western route will be fully accessible to wheelchairs, prams and mobility scooters.
• Informal pedestrian access will also be provided through the central terraced area.

Seating and street furniture

• Formal and informal seating areas will be provided for people to sit alone or with company.
• Seats, benches and modular stone blocks are located throughout the square.
• People can sit on the low retaining walls in the central terraced area.
• Rubbish bins, a drinking fountain and bike racks will also be provided.

Plants and lawn

• Four trees will be retained in the square:
  • gum
  • acer
  • melia
  • pinnoak.
• All other vegetation is proposed to be removed and replaced with a mix of exotic and native plants.
• In the upper square, deciduous exotics will frame and give prominence to St Patrick's Cathedral.
• In the lower square, native species will create a distinctly Auckland feel.
• Increased grassed areas will be available for people to recline and relax in a tranquil environment.
• Flowering plants, including spring bulbs, will be planted.

Safety

Safety improvements include:

• Clear sight lines through the square, will restrict areas where people can hide.
• Improved lighting throughout the square.
• Smoother paving will prevent people from tripping.
• Increasing the appeal of the space will also bring more people into it, making people feel safer.

Future developments

Future developments around the square include the likely extension to Liston House and the conservation and the renovation of the Presbytery. The council has an agreement with the Roman Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Auckland to swap the public land required for these developments with other land (the current Catholic shop) which is to be used for public open space. We will continue to work with the Diocese on this project.

The draft design also considers other likely building developments adjacent to the square.

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Site plan

Key

1	Paving
	New paving proposed, in a hexagonal motif that reflects the cathedral roof form and flooring pattern and is commonly found in natural forms. The proposed material is stone and limestone. Non-directional paving pattern emphasises pedestrian priority over vehicular movement.
2	Parking
	No parking permitted in the square, vehicles enter for service and private parking only. This will ensure that the space is pedestrian focused.
3	Parking within Cathedral grounds for congregational use only - management of parking to be undertaken by St Patrick's Parish.
4	Parking removed from Wyndham Street to allow for kerb build out.
6	Removal of parking on Federal Street extension.
7	Loading zone moved west down Wyndham Street.
8	Water Features
	Three water features proposed (in the upper, middle and lower spaces) provide a connection between the Cathedral and the lower square. They offer a different experience at each of the locations and the opportunity for touch, sight and sound qualities.
9	Pedestrian Access
	East Walkway provides for direct pedestrian access between Wyndham and Swanson Streets through the Square.
10	West Walkway provides for alternative access through the square, and will allow for accessibility (wheelchairs/prams etc).
11	Kerb build out on Wyndham Street to aid pedestrian movement and give prominence to the physical form of the Cathedral.
12	Opportunity for crossing on Swanson Street will continue to be explored by Auckland City.
13	Artworks
	Specific art works proposed in the Lower Square include a sculpture and stone furniture. These reflect the history and cultural significance of the space.
	Lighting
	The key features of lighting in the space will be the Cathedral, the key pedestrian routes, water features and artworks. This will encourage people into and through the space and give the perception of a friendly, safe and inviting environment at night.
	Street Furniture
	Both formal and informal seating is provided for in the Square, to allow for a mix of activities. There will be approximately 24 seats and benches, together with low retaining walls and stone blocks which provide informal seating. Bins, drinking fountain and bike racks will also be provided.
14	Vegetation
	New native and exotic tree planting supplements existing retained trees and frame views; provided shade adds to the urban oasis sense of place.
15	New deciduous trees sit around the edge of the Cathedral Square and give prominence to the physical form of the Cathedral. Four existing trees will be retained in the Square.
16	Specific areas
	Existing lawn enlarged to provide further opportunity for reclining and relaxation in a tranquil environment.
17	The low retaining walls of the Upper Terrace provide for informal seating, create more intimate lawn terraces and allow for viewing of activities in the Lower Square.
18	The Lower Terrace 'opens up' the Square along the Wyndham Street frontage, allows clear views up to the Cathedral, provides additional north-facing seating/reclining opportunities, and informal steps provide a meandering access route up through the Square.
19	Trees, bollards and benches define the extent of outdoor dining area adjacent to buildings and provide for pedestrian circulation separated from the vehicular access route.
20	Kerb build outs, a raised speed table and crossing at Federal Street to aid pedestrian movement across Wyndham Street. This is in the concept design only and is subject to funding.
21	Other
	Proposed Liston House extension.