Selected Project
Street Corner Canopies
We were commissioned by Wellington City Council to design pedestrian shelters as part of a larger initiative to enhance the experience of travelling by public transport in inclement weather when walking from the Railway Station to the CBD. The objective of the canopies is to provide shelter from the rain, and wind driven rain, at street corners without building verandah’s This is to encourage pedestrians to wait for pedestrian crossing lights to change rather than either getting wet or risking injury crossing against the lights. The canopies are designed to have a simple recognisable form that gives preference to the sheltering roof in recognition of their primary function of providing protection from rain. It was our intention to create a form that is welcoming and has a friendly character. Material selection, detailing and colours were selected to be physically tough yet visually soft. We also felt it was appropriate for the canopies to be visually distinct from the recently installed Adshel bus shelters. The lozenge plan shape allows the canopies to sit comfortably with any corner or kerb geometry – whether it’s right angle, oblique or acute. The initial design was for the canopy with three columns and this was supplemented with a smaller single column version to fit smaller sites and/or sites with lower pedestrian numbers. The canopies have been designed as a ‘product’ rather than a ‘building’ – street furniture rather than individual, site-specific architectural objects. Consequently the canopies are generic but adaptable to suit the specifics of each location. The windscreens are capable of being positioned to address the wind direction and pedestrian flow paths. Uplights provide a brightly-lit refuge at night to ensure pedestrians feel safe. The solid fibreglass canopy provides a reflector for the up-lights at night and provides shade during the day.
- Category
- Urban Design
- Location
