Design
At RMM we're passionate about working with our clients to realise their vision. Our design response begins with ensuring that the site is fully understood. From the initial concept to detailed design and project management, the design process ensures that the aspirations and vision of our clients are realised. We offer a fully integrated design service, at a variety of scales, to suit every budget.
Typically, this includes:
Site Inventory and Analysis
Assessment and analysis of the existing site conditions as well as establishing any contextual considerations. This phase is also used to establish a project brief with the client.
Preliminary Concept Design
Initial development of opportunities and ideas for the site through a series of sketches and plans.
Design Development
Further development of the initial ideas into a finalised design. This phase may also include design reports and preliminary project costing.
Detailed Design and Contract Documentation
Preparation of detailed drawings and specifications suitable for tendering and construction.
Building Consent and Tendering
In some cases, a Building or Resource Consent may be required. We can assist in obtaining the required consents.
Project Tendering
Administration of the tender process including calling for tenders and evaluating tenders.
Contract Administration During Construction
Management and observation of the project’s construction including site visits, communication with contractors, issuing contract instructions and payment certificates.
Assessment and analysis of the existing site conditions as well as establishing any contextual considerations. This phase is also used to establish a project brief with the client.
Preliminary Concept Design
Initial development of opportunities and ideas for the site through a series of sketches and plans.
Design Development
Further development of the initial ideas into a finalised design. This phase may also include design reports and preliminary project costing.
Detailed Design and Contract Documentation
Preparation of detailed drawings and specifications suitable for tendering and construction.
Building Consent and Tendering
In some cases, a Building or Resource Consent may be required. We can assist in obtaining the required consents.
Project Tendering
Administration of the tender process including calling for tenders and evaluating tenders.
Contract Administration During Construction
Management and observation of the project’s construction including site visits, communication with contractors, issuing contract instructions and payment certificates.
We work closely with our clients to establish the processes that make successful developments possible.
Master Planning
Our role as landscape architects prioritises the integrity of the environment; balancing human needs with natural processes. This includes the protection, preservation, and enhancement of the landscape cultural values and natural resources.
As landscape architects, it is vital to cooperate with other consultants such as traffic, ecology, engineering, geomorphology, recreation, archaeology, planning and architecture. RMM is also involved in community consultation and participation. This allows the creation of culturally rich, environmentally responsible, socially diverse, and economically sound communities. RMM is a signatory to the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.
Landscape Architects can add significant value to the development and site planning. Early involvement is best for optimal results.
As landscape architects, it is vital to cooperate with other consultants such as traffic, ecology, engineering, geomorphology, recreation, archaeology, planning and architecture. RMM is also involved in community consultation and participation. This allows the creation of culturally rich, environmentally responsible, socially diverse, and economically sound communities. RMM is a signatory to the New Zealand Urban Design Protocol.
Landscape Architects can add significant value to the development and site planning. Early involvement is best for optimal results.
We have the greatest chance to add value to a project by having an early involvement in the development process and site planning.
Assessment
RMM have experience working in multi-disciplinary teams, with local communities, iwi, district and regional authorities, individual, and corporate clients throughout Aotearoa New Zealand.
Our services include:
District and Regional Wide Landscape Assessments
Including the assessment of outstanding natural landscapes, amenity landscapes and natural features.
Landscape and Visual Assessments
Including input into AEE's to meet the requirements of the Resource Management Act.
Landscape Evidence and Expert Witness
Preparation and presentation of landscape evidence before the Environment Court, the Board of Inquiry, and at Council hearings.
Management Plans
This includes broad scale land-use planning, landscape management studies, and reserve management plans. These illustrate a vision for development and management.
Peer Reviews
Given our reputation and experience in landscape planning, we often provide peer reviews of assessments and evidence prepared by other consultants.
Including the assessment of outstanding natural landscapes, amenity landscapes and natural features.
Landscape and Visual Assessments
Including input into AEE's to meet the requirements of the Resource Management Act.
Landscape Evidence and Expert Witness
Preparation and presentation of landscape evidence before the Environment Court, the Board of Inquiry, and at Council hearings.
Management Plans
This includes broad scale land-use planning, landscape management studies, and reserve management plans. These illustrate a vision for development and management.
Peer Reviews
Given our reputation and experience in landscape planning, we often provide peer reviews of assessments and evidence prepared by other consultants.
Education
A number of the RMM team teach at Lincoln University's School of Landscape Architecture (SOLA) and enjoy contributing to the development of future generations of landscape architects. The RMM team has covered many aspects of the BLA degree over the years. We also partner with SOLA in undertaking research projects.
RMM are committed to continuous professional development in our studios. Many of our staff attend national and international conferences and return to the studio to share their knowledge with the team.
RMM offers internships for local and international students. Local appointments include many students from Lincoln University as well as international interns from France, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. Contact us about your internship opportunity.
RMM are committed to continuous professional development in our studios. Many of our staff attend national and international conferences and return to the studio to share their knowledge with the team.
RMM offers internships for local and international students. Local appointments include many students from Lincoln University as well as international interns from France, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden. Contact us about your internship opportunity.
Competition
Canterbury Earthquake Memorial
The RMM entry for the Canterbury Earthquake Memorial was entitled [the] EMBRACE.
The word 'Embrace' means holding, supporting, protecting, including and accepting, as a welcome or a sign of friendship, often after loss. RMM used 'Embrace' as a site metaphor for sensitively, weaving together in memory, reflection, and regeneration of the people affected by this tragedy.
RMM's entry featured a dialogue between history, culture, and natural systems woven in a series of rich, dynamic, and reflective design interventions throughout the site. A seam of stone memorising those who lost their lives provides our collective experiences with a nexus. Names are inscribed with the youngest cradled in the centre and their elders surrounding, protecting them.
Terraces engage with the river, inviting play, and prospect while offering the chance to gather in remembrance. A canopy of 17 trees, aligned to the epicentre of the February 22, 2011, earthquake, recognises the nationalities of those who have passed while embracing new life and vitality. A bridge, dedicated to those who reached out to help, reaches out to Friendship Corner and the Christchurch's heart subtly.
The RMM entry is simple yet powerful, re-connecting people with the land, their memories and future generations with the tragedy that has been. The RMM entry did not win the competition, however, they are fortunate that their offices look out on the winning entry that has since been constructed.
The word 'Embrace' means holding, supporting, protecting, including and accepting, as a welcome or a sign of friendship, often after loss. RMM used 'Embrace' as a site metaphor for sensitively, weaving together in memory, reflection, and regeneration of the people affected by this tragedy.
RMM's entry featured a dialogue between history, culture, and natural systems woven in a series of rich, dynamic, and reflective design interventions throughout the site. A seam of stone memorising those who lost their lives provides our collective experiences with a nexus. Names are inscribed with the youngest cradled in the centre and their elders surrounding, protecting them.
Terraces engage with the river, inviting play, and prospect while offering the chance to gather in remembrance. A canopy of 17 trees, aligned to the epicentre of the February 22, 2011, earthquake, recognises the nationalities of those who have passed while embracing new life and vitality. A bridge, dedicated to those who reached out to help, reaches out to Friendship Corner and the Christchurch's heart subtly.
The RMM entry is simple yet powerful, re-connecting people with the land, their memories and future generations with the tragedy that has been. The RMM entry did not win the competition, however, they are fortunate that their offices look out on the winning entry that has since been constructed.
Breathe Urban Village
RMM presented a proposal for an inner-city lifestyle block that demonstrates an innovative, comprehensive solution, to residential development of medium-high density in Christchurch, post-earthquakes. RMM led a team of consultants in design, engineering, and development to submit an entry promoting a more affordable, sustainable, and interactive way of living.
Fundamental to the RMM proposal is the innovative master plan that involves a carefully designed built form to ensure a variety of interesting outdoor spaces are formed. The landscapes serve a variety of functions including public and private circulation, storm water purification and collection, community recreation and gathering, and secluded places for rest and relaxation. The RMM proposal was ranked among the top 10 out of 90 entries. There has been no development of the winning entry and the site remains fallow.
Fundamental to the RMM proposal is the innovative master plan that involves a carefully designed built form to ensure a variety of interesting outdoor spaces are formed. The landscapes serve a variety of functions including public and private circulation, storm water purification and collection, community recreation and gathering, and secluded places for rest and relaxation. The RMM proposal was ranked among the top 10 out of 90 entries. There has been no development of the winning entry and the site remains fallow.
Ellerslie Flower Show
Collaborating with the Canterbury Horticultural Society, RMM created an avant-garde entry that challenged the norm of Ellerslie. LOVE (IN) YOUR GARDEN is a sculptural rooftop garden that tells a love story combining romance, fertility, and resilience aspects. In a regenerating post-earthquake landscape, this is told through a sculptural display of abstracted flower anatomy.
A stamen grove dances metaphorically in a romantic display of affection around the pistil. Familiar survival items fill the anthers on top of the filaments instead of the pollen typically fertilizing the pistil. This alludes to both the idea of fertility and the support that our living spaces require if we are to be self-supporting and resilient. Drifts of flowering wildflowers between crushed rubble areas represent the vibrant flower petals that provide a setting for the dance of love. A silver with distinction medal was awarded to the garden.
A stamen grove dances metaphorically in a romantic display of affection around the pistil. Familiar survival items fill the anthers on top of the filaments instead of the pollen typically fertilizing the pistil. This alludes to both the idea of fertility and the support that our living spaces require if we are to be self-supporting and resilient. Drifts of flowering wildflowers between crushed rubble areas represent the vibrant flower petals that provide a setting for the dance of love. A silver with distinction medal was awarded to the garden.
