King Edward Barracks

King Edward Barracks is a collaboration between Kamo Marsh Landscape Architects, Warren and Mahoney and Ngāi Tahu artist Prisclla Cowie, for Ngāi Tahu Property Ltd. Our role in this project included concept design, detailed design, and documentation that focused on the internal urban park, to be known as Ngā Māra a Te Wera (The Gardens of Te Wera). The client brief required the development to reflect the values of Ngāi Tahu and to make visible the rich layers of history that relate to Ngāi Tahu and European use of the site. These themes were reflected in the space through elegantly designed furniture, paving, integrated artwork and story boards that combine to provide a ‘people place’ sheltered from the wind and orientated to capture the sun. The urban park will be well used by the occupants of the buildings as well as the wider public as it has been carefully integrated into the wider fabric of the city.