St Paul’s Streetscape
From Concept to Concrete: A Collaborative Urban Design Project
Client: JFC and Auckland Council
Location: Auckland CBD
Project Cost: $0 - $250K
Completion Date: October 2024
Jagas was engaged by JFC for a project presented to them by Auckland Council, involving the creation of four unique concrete seats featuring artwork designed by AUT students.
The seats were part of a design inspired by the Rangipuke ridgeline and were a collaboration between AUT’s Masters of Spatial Design students from the TMDO (Tāmaki Makaurau Design One) and Material Imaginaries Research Collective. The project was also part of the Tactical Urbanism Initiative (TUI), which aimed to give students real-world experience working on urban development projects.
Initially, the seats were to be constructed from multiple smaller pieces, which would have required several moulds. Jagas took a unique approach by using larger, custom-designed moulds to streamline production. This not only reduced the number of pieces needed but also ensured the integrity and design accuracy of the final product. By avoiding cut-offs between pieces, we were able to achieve a seamless finish that met the high standards set by Auckland Council.
One of the key challenges was replicating the Rangipuke ridgeline in the concrete benches. The fast-drying nature of concrete made it difficult to form the intricate lines necessary for the design. Throughout the production process, the Auckland Council team provided feedback and shared their vision for the final look.
Jagas worked through several trials, refining the process until we successfully captured the detailed mountain ridgeline that the council envisioned.
Jagas’s involvement in the St Paul’s Streetscape project demonstrated our ability to collaborate on complex urban design projects while delivering practical solutions that enhance public spaces. This project not only improved the streetscape but also created a lasting space for community interaction, perfectly aligning with Auckland Council’s vision for the area.
Testimonial: Jessica Juno | Masters of Spatial Design Student | AUT
“Jagas was able to craft the benches in a way that ensured the integrity of the design remained intact, while further emphasising it through their methods of construction. The process behind how the line surface detailing on the exterior faces of the benches were crafted, was different to how I initially imagined it would be done, but both the process and outcome really exceeded my expectations and has inspired new possibilities of how making can be explored.
The line surface detailing on the benches speaks not only to the initial sketches done by the team, but also to the hands of jagas who brought them to life. At the end of the day this project was/is about people, connecting with the site and with each other. In working with Jagas, they’ve crafted benches that speak of people. So, this project has been a real special and personal one, as in all aspects it speaks of all the people that had influence on it, from concept drawings and designs through to the process of manufacturing and installation.”
