Site and context

Tokoroa is a small provincial town located between Hamilton and Taupo. The existing Leith Place was a carpark with public toilets and runs an entire CBD block adjoining State Highway One.  In 2015 South Waikato District Council undertook master planning and public consultation about the CBD upgrade.  One of the outcomes of the master plan was to redevelop Leith Place with a larger public space, toilets, and upgraded car parking.  Over 20,000 vehicles on average pass through Tokoroa daily.  An independent economic report commissioned by SWDC estimated that stopping 1% of motorists had an economic impact of $1.3M per annum to the small town. The greater the number of motorists stopping, the economic benefit compounded.

Planning and constraints

While there were no regulation constraints, some imposed constraints were traffic movements through shared pedestrian zones, and the safety of the public using the space adjacent to the busy highway.

Client brief and design response

The brief was to identify opportunities for Leith Place to showcase Tokoroa’s qualities to the world, benefit the community and increase trade. The redevelopment should include 80 car parks, a space for community events, a space for artworks, a new public toilet building, and a bus stop with a shelter located off State Highway One.

The design response focused on creating two activation points – north and south. Talking pole artworks scattered throughout the town were collated into the south end acknowledging Tokoroa settlers from many cultures.  Early navigators used the star constellations, and the Southern Cross was used for bearings.  In the north, we placed the toilets in the formation of the constellation and used a unifying canopy to connect and provide shelter.

Material selection and method of construction

Tokoroa has a proud forestry and timber industry history so we felt it was appropriate to have timber feature heavily in the design solution. The cylindrical forms of the shrouds around the toilets are thermally modified timbers supported in structural steel towers.  These cylindrical toilet enclosures extend dramatically above the ground and are fitted with polished stainless discs which reflect lighting back down to the ground, emphasising the Southern Cross constellation narrative.  The canopy is a steel structure with timber soffit linings which will be eventually CNC carved to express a Maori narrative about the Awa (Waikato River) flowing through the district.

Collaborators and contribution

DCA worked closely with kaumatua and cultural advisors from local iwi, Raukawa to develop a suitable design narrative.  A curator from the Waikato Museum was consulted about the collation, layouts and orientations of the talking pole artworks.  Landscape architects Boffa Miskell worked alongside DCA to develop the public space.  This includes two triangular grassed forms, semi retained on two sides to allow for seating and space for locals to gather for events.  Sufficient clear space was required to allow for weekend farmers' markets.  A pavement pattern weaves through the site specifically referring to a Pacifica culture.  Artist Jacob Scott was involved in creating Maori specific artwork narrative to be CNC carved into the plywood timber soffits - yet to completed.

Sustainability statement

One of the primary long-term sustainability drivers for the South Waikato District Council was the operational and maintenance costs of Leith Place.  The SWDC landscaper had specific requirements of the landscape architects for plantings that were suitable for the environment, but also manageable for maintenance.  Paving designs, street furniture, energy-efficient street lighting were all analysed to achieve minimal running and maintenance costs. Thermally modified sustainably-grown Pinus Radiata is from the Kaingaroa Forest, milled and produced in Reporoa, all within 100km of the site. This product was specifically chosen for its superior in situ life and minimal maintenance requirements.  Low water usage fittings were used for the taps and toilets.

• Location - State Highway 1, Tokoroa
• Client - South Waikato District Council
• Architects - DCA Architects of Transformation
• Landscape Architect - Boffa Miskell
• Photographer - Nick Lambert
• Geotechnical, Structural and Civil Engineering - BCD
• Mechanical, Hydraulic and Electrical Engineers - Cosgroves
• Traffic Engineer - TDG