Unique Outdoor Spaces

Experience and background

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Project Management of community 'Artscapes'

Specialising in the design, installation and project management of 'artscape' projects, including:

• Public art installations

• Collaborative community art projects

• Playgrounds and community spaces

• Sustainable landscape design and plantings

CLIENTS: Councils, Local Boards, schools, kindergartens

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I was commissioned by the Waitakere City Council and also by Project Twinstreams to run, design and organise or participate in various community art projects in parks and schools, including installations at the Henderson Creek-Opunuku cycleway, Kaurilands Domain, La Rosa Reserve (as part of the Auckland Council Stream Daylighting project), Urlich Park Ranui  and McLaren Park, Henderson.

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I'm also a permaculture designer, always bearing in mind the complex environmental and social connections with all my design work.

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Earthbuilding sculptural workshops

Initiated, designed and managed over 20 sculptural earthbuilding workshops in Australia and New Zealand , with a strong emphasis on community collaboration and cultural inclusiveness. Projects incorporated various materials and styles and included: sculptures, community seating and play areas at:

• Public seating area near famous Hunderwasser toilets, Kawakawa

• Kelston Deaf Education Centre, Kelston Auckland

• Somerville Intermediate School, Howick Auckland

• Dunnoly Primary School, NSW Australia

• Artpark at Te Puna Quarry, Tauranga

• Aio Wira Retreat Centre, Waitakere Auckland

CLIENTS: Councils, community groups, not-for-profits, schools, kindergartens

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I have experience in managing large groups with varying levels of skill and expertise, and the ability to facilitate projects with people from all walks of life, including:

teachers, Principals, school children, hearing impaired students, community groups, corporate managers and their staff, to name a few.

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Project Management of creative building projects

I've constructed 3 major buildings and various smaller ones, including the design and build of a three level in-situ adobe (a very sculptable form of earthbuilding) sustainable home, moulded into the side of a hill.  This home featured a passive solar design, curved walls, grass roof, handmade wooden/steel internal staircase, adobe walls throughout, mosaic features and hand crafted cabinetry.

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Woodwork artist

I have fine woodworking skills and experience in woodcarving.  A carving workshop with master carver and Tohunga Wallace Hetaraka inspired me to explore the medium of wood in more depth. Through this I started carving a series of freeform wooden bowls and vessels, which then led to working for a few years as an art-furniture maker creating and designing unique contemporary furniture utilising wood, steel and copper.

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I am a fully qualified electrician and have a solid understanding of plumbing and masonry work.