Motu Design was engaged by The Rodney Local Board to produce the Puhinui Warkworth Town Centre Plan. This was developed alongside a robust community engagement process and then adopted by the Local Board in November 2022. The plan is intended to guide the future direction and development of the town centre in Warkworth so that it will meet community needs, care for the river and provide a well-designed, vibrant and attractive town centre, that is resilient in relation to climate change risks.

Motu Design facilitated three community-hosted vision workshops with the people of Avondale to explore what was important to them for the future of the Avondale area. The information gathered at these workshops informed the development of the Our Future Avondale community vision document that sets a clear direction for the future. It provides a community voice for Avondale that is an area undergoing significant change and intensification. It was funded by the Whau Local Board.

2018/2019

A community workshop to upskill Avondale residents and stakeholders with urban design skills to support increased participation on decision making in the Avondale town centre planning processes – design and facilitation of workshop including presentation, design analysis and exercises based on local area

2016

Coordination of a public space design competition for the Kingsland Business Association.

2016

Design and Landscape Design - A mix of 26 terraced and standalone houses in Wai o Taiki Bay, Auckland - site layout and architectural design in collaboration with GJ Gardner; landscape design in collaboration with Calyx Design; design statement and urban design assessment reporting for Resource Consent

Urban Design Assessments of Resource Consents on behalf of Auckland Council - for Precinct Plans, Subdivision Consents, Shared Space streets and multiple medium density residential developments - services include pre-application design review guidance, urban design assessment of Resource Consents, assessment of variations to consents, and compliance with consent conditions.

Urban Design For a 107 small lot standalone dwellings at Scott Point, Hobsonville Point – design review and collaboration on lot layout, development strategy, built form, dwelling design strategies and ongoing design review and urban design assessment reporting

Urban Design - A mix of retail, commercial and residential on a 12,156m2 brownfield site in Glendene, Auckland – urban design review, design collaboration and urban design assessment report for Resource Consent.

Urban Design and Landscape Design - For a sixteen unit , three storey residential terraced house development. Concept design and collaboration with architects, landscape concept plans and urban design reporting for Resource Consent

Urban Design and Landscape Design - An 18 lot residential development with a mix of terrace, duplex and standalone units on a triangular-shaped site adjacent to two reserves within a new subdivision in Flat Bush – urban design review and assessment report, and landscape concept plans.

Urban Design and Landscape Design - A mixed use, residential apartment building of 64 apartments and 511 m2 of retail space and an upgrade of adjoining laneways on a 5400 m2 brownfield site in Browns Bay - design review and collaboration, site layout strategy, landscape concepts, laneway upgrade proposal

Urban Design - A combined land use and subdivision consent for 18 two storey houses and the retention of an existing dwelling on a 5899m2 site previously used for horticulture - design review and refinement; design statement and urban design assessment reporting for Resource Consent

A nine block, mixed use apartment development on a 15,000 m 2 brownfield site in Albany Village, North Auckland. It includes new streets, pedestrian pathways and landscaping and aims to create a distinct place and neighbourhood that provides good amenity for residents, connects with the existing Albany Village - urban design services, working collaboratively with the project team on the site layout and design.

Urban Design and Landscape Design - Two storey residential apartment development made up of studio, one bedroom and two bedroom units on a 434 m2 corner site in Point Chevalier - design review and collaboration, urban design memo for resource consent application, landscape design and shading analysis

Landscape Design - Landscape design services for a two-lot subdivision in St Helliers with a focus on outdoor living spaces, planting and boundary treatments

Urban Design and Landscape Design for the subdivision and development of 50 dwellings on 48 lots as part of the Mill Road Development of the Ardmore Precinct in Takanini. Urban design and landscape services including site and context analysis & urban design strategy and full landscape plans to ensure the effective integration of stormwater management, urban design, street design and landscape features

Design and Landscape Design - A mix of 26 terraced and standalone houses in Wai o Taiki Bay, Auckland - site layout and architectural design in collaboration with GJ Gardner; landscape design in collaboration with Calyx Design; design statement and urban design assessment reporting for Resource Consent

Urban Design and Landscape Design - An 18 lot residential development with a mix of terrace, duplex and standalone units on a triangular-shaped site adjacent to two reserves within a new subdivision in Flat Bush – urban design review and assessment report, and landscape concept plans.

Urban Design and Landscape Design - Residential development of eight, two-storey duplex units on a long narrow site of 1624m2 – design review, landscape concept plans and urban design reporting for Resource Consent

Urban Design Assessments on behalf of Auckland Council for Resource Consents - Multiple pre-application proposals and Resource Consents, over a 10+ year period – including various built projects, such as the Rose Gardens Apartments, the Northern Recreation Centre, Kaipiho Lane Hotel and Apartment developments, the Oteha Valley Road large format and convenience Retails sites, Mitre 10 head office, and unbuilt projects such as Stage 2 Westfield Mall, Progressive Enterprise’s supermarket and main street retail development

Urban design assessments, on behalf of Auckland Council, of Resource Consents for the new village centre in the greenfield development area of Long Bay. Including new streets and public spaces, retail and residential - precinct plan assessment, pre-application design review guidance, assessment of Resource Consent, assessment of variations to existing consents, and compliance with conditions

Urban Design services for The Groves, that includes a mix of retail, commercial and residential activities on what was a 12,156 m2 brownfield site in Glendene, Auckland. Motu Design provided urban design analysis, design collaboration and urban design assessment report for Resource Consent.

A three level temporary car park and retail development in the heart of the Auckland CBD – design review and collaboration and urban design assessment report for Resource Consent

A Private Plan Change by Southern Cross Hospitals to enable the extension of their existing Brightside Road Hospital in Epsom, Auckland to provide additional health care services. Motu Design provided urban design analysis and evidence to support the proposed rezoning of three properties on Gilles Ave from residential with a Special Character Overlay, to introduce the Special Purpose - Healthcare Facility and Hospital Zone. It included a site specific development plan with bespoke provisions to protect mature trees and limit height to fit with the sensitive special character context of the area.

The Plan Change was granted by the Auckland Council appointed Hearings Panel, but appealed by the Eden Epson Society. The Environment Court overturned council’s decision to grant the plan change. This decision was challenged in the High Court. In May 2023 the High Court found in favour of Southern Cross and has referred the case back to the Environment Court for reconsideration.

2019 - 2021

Urban design services to assist rezoning of part of Pukekohe Park from Special Purpose to General Business Zone, for Counties Manukau Racing Club. (PPC 30 to Auckland Unitary Plan). This enables the development of land that is currently surplus to horse racing requirements.

Motu Design provided the contextual analysis, urban design assessment of options, feasibility studies and a detailed urban design report in support of the Plan Change.

2019/2020

Auckland Central Area - Learning Quarter plan change to enable more development potential for the University of Auckland, and Auckland University of Technology whilst ensuring protection of heritage features and and a distinctive urban form.

Motu Design provided urban design analysis, testing of built form options, consultation with key stakeholders, review and assessment of university propositions, and collaboration with Boffa Miskell on the development of plan change provisions. Including a report in response to submissions.

2011

We provided expert urban design evidence in support Auckland Council’s proposition to include Design Statements as and information requirement in the Auckland Unitary Plan.

This included a review of submissions made on the topic, recommendations on wording and content for the AUP, preparation and presentation of Expert Evidence to the Independent Hearings Panel.

2016/2017

Assessment of Urban Design and Landscape Mitigation Plans on behalf of Auckland Council. These included the St Mary’s Bay Footbridge and walkways, negotiation on the relocation of the Rob Roy Hotel to its original location, the forecourt plaza design, various works with Victoria Park - design review, assistance on the management of approval processes to ensure optimal design outcomes, and assessment of multiple public spaces

Urban Design and Landscape - A residential shared space street vested with Auckland Transport and 29 new dwellings, including a mix of terraced, duplex and stand alone houses - site layout and street design; assistance with Auckland Transport approvals; design review; landscape concept plans in collaboration with Calyx Design; urban design assessment for Resource Consent

Urban Design and Landscape Design/ A competition entry for the community-led design of a new community park in the heart of Ponsonby. Motu Design were awarded 3rd place - initial concept design and spatial layout intended for further development in partnership with community