The Stack: A reflection on climate resilience through art and nature

13 Aug 2024

A team of young landscape architects from Boffa Miskell – Nicole Tune, Monica Bainbridge and Alex Smith – embarked on a creative journey to design a unique Nohonga (seat or dwelling place) for the last Nohonga design competition. Hosted by the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects (NZILA) and Brick Bay, the competition aimed to highlight the theme of Climate Resilience.

The result was ‘The Stack,’ an intriguing installation that beautifully juxtaposes permanence and impermanence.

The Stack’s design narrative is divided into two contrasting themes. On one side, meticulously interlocked timber beams create a sturdy, puzzle-like structure reminiscent of a lightweight crib wall. This aspect of the design speaks to the concepts of permanence and durability. The precise arrangement of the beams suggests a methodical and considered approach, evoking a sense of stability and resilience.

In stark contrast, the other side of The Stack represents impermanence and chaos. Here, beams appear disassembled, crumbling and on the verge of collapse. This side of the Nohonga conjures images of West Coast waves relentlessly battering cliffs or the gradual decay of a fallen tree. It’s a visual metaphor for the transient and ever-changing nature of the environment.

This side of The Stack is painted in Resene Juicy, Resene Jordy Blue, Resene Float and Resene Anchor. The shape and hues represent the rugged and everchanging West Coast. The timber is finished in Resene Furniture and Decking Oil for a natural look finish.

The notion of impermanence is further explored through the encouragement of natural decay. Untreated macrocarpa beams, with their knots and imperfections, were chosen to foster the collection of leaf litter, absorption of moisture, and the gradual process of transformation. This design choice invites nature to reclaim parts of The Stack, providing nourishment and habitat for local invertebrates and wildlife. Over time, the Nohonga will blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings, embodying the essence of impermanence.

The precise arrangement of the beams on the other side of The Stack suggests a methodical and considered approach, evoking a sense of stability and resilience.

The colour scheme of The Stack is also inspired by the vibrant hues found in New Zealand’s native fungi. The orange shade of Resene Juicy represents the Orange Pore Fungus (Favolaschia calocera), while the blue tones, Resene Jordy Blue, Resene Float, and Resene Anchor, celebrate the striking colours of the Werewere-Kōkako mushroom (Entoloma hochstetteri), which also graces New Zealand's 50-dollar note.

These colours are strategically placed to enhance the visual narrative of chaos, decay and impermanence. Initially, the deep honey tones of the new timber contrast sharply with the blue hues. As the timber weathers, the singular orange will become more prominent, highlighting the passage of time and the natural aging process.

Creating The Stack required extensive experimentation with various materials, shapes and forms to accurately capture the competition’s theme while adhering to technical constraints such as transportability, weight and safety. The process involved numerous digital and physical models, meticulous planning and collaboration with contractors to ensure precise cutting and assembly of the timber. Interestingly, the seat was constructed upside down and only turned upright upon completion.

Designers of The Stack: (from left) Nicole Tune, Monica Bainbridge and Alex Smith from Boffa Miskell.

To preserve the natural timber finishes, Resene Furniture and Decking Oil and Resene TimberLock were applied, extending the seat's lifespan and maintaining its appearance during the initial installation phase. Resene Lustacryl semi-gloss waterborne enamel was chosen for the coloured highlights due to its compatibility with timber and wide range of colour options, which perfectly suited the project’s needs.

The Stack is more than just a seating installation, it’s a powerful commentary on the delicate balance between permanence and impermanence in our natural world. By embracing both stability and decay, these landscape architects have created a thought-provoking piece that not only addresses the theme of climate resilience but also invites nature to become an integral part of its story. As The Stack weathers and transforms over time, it will continue to inspire reflections on the ever-changing interplay between human creations and the natural environment.

design Nicole Tune, Monica Bainbridge and Alex Smith from Boffa Miskell

build Streetscape

images Vanessa le Grand Jacob

Published: 13 Aug 2024