Located in the Auckland Domain Wintergardens, GRADIENCE is a temporary installation of planters displaying exotic perennials that bloom throughout the seasons, while also providing seating for visitors to relax, and spectate the courtyard’s happenings.
The curved designs of the planters gives a variation of movement within the courtyard, where some may be running around the space, and others are stagnant, standing or sitting in one spot. I am manipulating movement in the courtyard by arranging the planters in a way that one has to maneuver through levels and curves, emphasising that every individual’s movement is unique, and never straightforward.
Programs used: Rhino 3D, Autodesk Revit, Blender, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom.
The Wintergardens is a heritage landmark in New Zealand, marking a significant piece of history since 1921. It’s inspiration dates back to 1851, when the Crystal Palace was completed. The Crystal Palace is an inspiration to the Wintergarden’s glasshouses, which are home to a vibrancy of colourful and exotic plants, bringing life into the Wintergardens. Now in present day, I am using the Wintergardens as a place of temporary exhibition, a place to reflect on its history, and educate visitors through conceptual design.
I am using colour contrast for my design to focus on the warm and cold tones that are synonymous to both colour shades, and temperatures, reflecting the physical environment of the glasshouses. I was inspired by Gertrude Jekyll's interpretation of colours as a “blur of colours.” Therefore, Gradience is to enhance the smooth transition of these gradients. I am using the courtyard's symmetry as a transitional space to serve as the threshold between the contrasts, emphasising the transition between the glasshouses.
