Reinvigorating Christchurch’s Sydenham suburb with character

In the heart of Sydenham lies Pod Park. Developed as part of Christchurch City Council's Suburban Centres programme, it’s a space to relax and enjoy.

Pod Park imagines Sydenham through various points in its history. Densely planted native flax and wetland planting reflects the swampy land that would have been there before European settlement. Pallet boardwalks symbolise the grid of streets that were imposed over the natural environment to structure Christchurch’s original development. Sydenham’s industrial mix of factories, railway workshops and warehouses is portrayed through structural forms, like sawtooth style workshop roof forms and upright steel girders.

Set within the foundations of the historic Beverley’s Building at 406 Colombo Street, which was damaged beyond repair by the 2011 earthquake, it’s a reminder of the significant upheaval that occurred.

Its central feature is the vibrant red ‘shelter’ element, adapted from our award-winning Ellerslie Flower Show garden ‘Max’s Pipe Dream’. As Pod Park complements adjacent sites, like a pop-up coffee cart and putting green, it’s become a space to play, relax, sit and reflect.

To bring Pod Park to life, we led the project from concept through to detailed design. Alongside local builders and volunteers from Council, local businesses and the community, we also got our hands dirty building, painting and planting the park.

Find out more about how we're helping create a vibrant future for Christchurch: www.beca.com/vibrantfuture

Award:

2015 Resene NZILA Pride of Place Awards Landscape Architecture Awards – finalist, Community Design Award