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RMM was engaged by the Ashburton District Council in 2020 to lead the landscape and public realm design for the town’s new Civic Centre precinct. An ambitious redevelopment anchored by the rejuvenation of Baring Square East and the iconic Ashburton clocktower.
The masterplan, developed in collaboration with Athfield Architects, sought to reimagine the civic heart of Ashburton as a unified and welcoming public domain. From the outset, the project was shaped by a strong desire to reflect the unique identity of the Mid Canterbury region – its expansive landscapes, braided rivers, and deep cultural roots – while also delivering a robust, future-focused urban environment for the local community.
The design focused on four key areas: the active civic frontage of the church, the library courtyard, a redefined streetscape, and the central green of Baring Square itself. These spaces were stitched together through a cohesive design language that prioritised social activation, urban functionality, and connectivity between the whenua and mana whenua of the region.
RMM worked closely with Council staff, community stakeholders, and mana whenua across all phases of the project. From early conceptual sketching and design workshops through to detailed design and construction completion in 2023. An open and transparent design process was critical to ensuring that the project outcomes were resilient, practicable, and embraced by the wider community.
Today, Baring Square East is a lively civic gathering area; hosting community events, markets, and social gatherings throughout the year. It stands as a celebration of place and people, and RMM is proud to have played a part in shaping a meaningful and enduring public space for the Ashburton community.
The masterplan, developed in collaboration with Athfield Architects, sought to reimagine the civic heart of Ashburton as a unified and welcoming public domain. From the outset, the project was shaped by a strong desire to reflect the unique identity of the Mid Canterbury region – its expansive landscapes, braided rivers, and deep cultural roots – while also delivering a robust, future-focused urban environment for the local community.
The design focused on four key areas: the active civic frontage of the church, the library courtyard, a redefined streetscape, and the central green of Baring Square itself. These spaces were stitched together through a cohesive design language that prioritised social activation, urban functionality, and connectivity between the whenua and mana whenua of the region.
RMM worked closely with Council staff, community stakeholders, and mana whenua across all phases of the project. From early conceptual sketching and design workshops through to detailed design and construction completion in 2023. An open and transparent design process was critical to ensuring that the project outcomes were resilient, practicable, and embraced by the wider community.
Today, Baring Square East is a lively civic gathering area; hosting community events, markets, and social gatherings throughout the year. It stands as a celebration of place and people, and RMM is proud to have played a part in shaping a meaningful and enduring public space for the Ashburton community.
Materials, planting palettes, and spatial arrangements were carefully curated to evoke the distinctive environmental character of the region; from the geological dynamism of the Rakaia and Rangitata rivers, to the seasonal rhythm of the Canterbury Plains. These narratives of place are subtly embedded within the landscape design, offering moments of meaning and memory for residents and visitors alike.
