A full restoration of the historic Cathedral of St Patrick and St Joseph (1907) was completed in 2007. This, combined with the Auckland CBD Streetscape Upgrade Programme provided the opportunity to significantly enhance the existing Square and complement the newly restored Cathedral.
Boffa Miskell was engaged as lead design consultant under a Partnering Agreement with Auckland City Council and delivered the complete range of project services from Site Analysis to Contract Administration. Extensive engagement and consultation with local residents, businesses and users of the Square resulted in a clear set of overarching project objectives. These included: celebrate the Square’s heritage, religious and cultural significance and its relationship to the Cathedral; retain and enhance the Square as an ‘urban oasis’ where people can relax, meet and socialise; create a safe, comfortable and enjoyable day and night-time environment, and use high quality materials befitting the unique nature of the place.
The primary aim was to ‘let the Cathedral breathe’. Reducing all clutter and vegetation from the edges of the building, and placing a border of grass and trees to the outer edge of the space, allowed for a feeling of prominence, yet respect toward the Cathedral.
The heritage of the site is also reflected in the ground-plane, with hexagonal forms alluding to ceremonial architecture surrounding the Cathedral, simultaneously providing a non-directional paved canvas on which both pedestrians and vehicles are able to traverse.
Inclusion of water as a fundamental design element was a strong theme in initial public consultation. It is used to form a physical connection between the Cathedral, Upper Lawn, Terraces and Lower Square. It is a source of life, baptism and energy: in reference to the baptismal font within the North Transept of the Cathedral the water figuratively flows from within the Cathedral and emerges with its energizing, soothing and healing qualities.
Boffa Miskell worked collaboratively with artists Steve Woodward and Mary-Louise Brown to create two distinctive artworks within the Square.
