Heard Park ParnellDesigned by the Isthmus Group, supplied by Horizon International, approximately 650m2 of Stonevue 1000 * 300 module paving, with a blend of three colours. Stonevue as the core product was used for a mixture of paving, wall cladding and steps, Paving the way for Parnell's Heard Park
Providing a mini oasis in the centre of Parnell village, the recently redeveloped Heard Park sits on the corner of Parnell Road and Ruskin Street. An important part of Parnell's history, the park was originally donated to the city in 1953 by the Heard family, the owners of Heards Candy. Previously lacking in character and with little connection to the main road, Heard Park has recently been redesigned. The result is a high-quality urban space that provides a town centre and attractive outdoor focal point for the local community, as well as a relaxing refuge for visitors to Parnell. This revamp of Heard Park is the first major project undertaken in Parnell since the 2002 streetscape upgrade. Auckland City landscape designer Nichola Vague devised the concept for the new park with the aim of rectifying some of the space's shortcomings, and making it more useable and appealing. One of the main priorities was to reduce the clutter around the park's boundaries and provide a connection with the streetscape, allowing better access into and through the park. Safety and security issues have also been resolved with the new design, as has the need for a visual link with adjacent buildings, in particular the nearby old Heards Factory. The park's simple new layout incorporates a formal geometry that complements the lines of the street. Large, open paved areas ensure easy circulation and mean individuals and groups can use the park year-round, regardless of the weather. This hard landscaping is balanced by generous lawns to create a more informal and inviting environment. The park incorporates materials and elements that are part of the character and heritage feel of Parnell village. Recycled brick has been used in some areas to provide a link to brick buildings in the area, while beds of carpet roses reflect the abundance of roses throughout Parnell, which is well known for its beautiful Parnell Rose Gardens. Carefully selected planting, such as hedges of native griselinias, is used to soften the park's boundaries, while a pin oak-lined plaza provides a shaded seating area. In order to meet the long-term needs of an urban environment and minimise maintenance requirements, durable, high-quality materials were essential. The hard landscaping incorporates granite steps and large expanses of Stonevue pavers. Landscape architect Grant Bailey from Isthmus carried out the detailing on the project and says Stonevue pavers were specified as a contemporary, visually appealing and cost-effective paving solution. ‘The site is predominantly flat so it was appropriate to use large-format pavers,' says Grant. ‘The long, linear form of these 1000 x 300 pavers complements the rectangular shape of the park.' Stonevue pavers are used on the steps, and as cladding on feature walls around the park. Horizon International supplied the Stonevue pavers in three blue-grey shades - Langwarren Blue, Dunnstown Blue and Dromana Grey - from the Urbanvue range. ‘This colour scheme fits the Auckland City Council's desire to use shades in keeping with the bluestone used elsewhere in the city,' says Grant. ‘The bluey-grey tones give a subtle banding effect, almost like the weave of a fabric, with bands of brick and granite providing contrast.' Nathan Roper from Horizon International says the Australian-made Stonevue pavers are a relatively new product to New Zealand and are suitable for civic, commercial and residential projects. ‘One of the special features of these pavers is that they are manufactured using the hydraulic press process,' he says. ‘As a result, they're very dense, which gives an intensity of colour and raises the abrasion resistance, allowing tougher cleaning without damaging the surface.' What's more, because every paver is made from the same mould, they're also extremely uniform, making them easier to lay to tight tolerances. With each paver having identical dimensions, they can be laid in sand rather than mortar - resulting in obvious time and cost savings. To lay the large Stonevue pavers at Heard Park, Horizon International supplied contractor Peter Robertson with a Probst Vacuum Slab Laying unit. This machine is capable of lifting up to 200kg and allows exact positioning of the slabs thanks to a smooth-running pillar swing crane with a very low dead weight. As a result the pavers could be laid quickly and safely. Stonevue pavers come in six standard formats: 1000x300, 600x600, 750x500, 800x400, 400x400 and 300x300 in a slip-resistant shot-blast or honed finish. There are three natural colour ranges incorporating a total of 15 shades.
Project Details Location: Heard Park, Parnell, Auckland Landscape architect: Nichola Vague, Auckland City Council Landscape detailing: Grant Bailey, Isthmus Paving supplier: Horizon International Paving product: Stonevue pavers Paving installer: Peter Robertson Contractors
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