The landscape design for the Mt Pleasant Community Centre balances resilience, functionality, and cultural identity. Positioned within a flood-prone area, the site required thoughtful planning to respond to its estuarine environment. Rip rap rock was incorporated along the edge of the site to provide essential flood protection for the architecturally crafted building, while also blending seamlessly with the natural setting.

Generous timber decks offer flexible outdoor spaces that support a wide range of community activities, including café seating, pilates and yoga classes, weddings, and children’s programmes. The expansive entrance plaza features paving patterns inspired by the tuatua kaimoana (shellfish) native to the nearby estuary, embedding a subtle cultural narrative into the heart of the space.

The planting palette includes a mix of native pōhutukawa and flowering cherry trees, creating seasonal interest while also acknowledging the site’s connection to its War Memorial significance. The landscape not only supports everyday use but also transforms to accommodate weekend farmers’ markets, making it a true community hub.

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