Some impressive skills

Landscape Architect Peter Griffiths had already spent a lot of holidays with family in the Martinborough so when he and his wife Rachel also a landscape architect, decided to get away from the pressures of Auckland the choice was obvious.  They sold up and moved here with their 4 year old daughter Charlie Mae.  For Peter, a keen golfer, Martinborough’s fine golf course was part of the attraction as was the stunning beauty of the Wairarapa.

Moving to Martinborough is becoming something of a family tradition.  Peter’s mother Margaret, his uncles Ro and Whitney and cousin Ailsa have all chosen to make their homes here.   

Martinborough’s a winner with this move too because Peter is bringing some impressive skills to town.    He’s been involved with many successful commercial and residential commissions and will continue this work, along with his Auckland-based partner Hamish Foote,  through their practice FieldLA2.   “Perhaps our greatest achievement was being selected as finalists in the competition for the redesign of the Auckland Waterfront, up against major New Zealand and international companies. Unfortunately the project itself was later canned.” 

For the last 18 years Peter’s helped guide the training of future landscape architects as Programme Director of the undergraduate course at UNITEC.  He’s also a founding Editor of Xsection, an annual journal for the profession, featuring contributions from practitioners, academics and students.  

With a CV like this it’s no surprise  that Holmes Construction’s Infinite Landscapes and Victoria University have already shoulder tapped him.   Rachael’s also been snapped up, by Perception Planning.

I asked Peter for his professional take on Martinborough’s landscape architecture.  “Martinborough is so lucky to have The Square.  It is the key to public life in the Village.  It’s well connected to the area around it and not overdesigned.   There is a friendly chaos to the way the cafes and bars spill out over the footpath on weekends.   The new Waihinga Centre will add another vibrant element to the mix.”

My last question to Peter was one you might be asking too.  “What does a landscape architect actually do that is different from, say, a landscape designer? “Obviously our work has to meet the practical requirements of the client but we take a much broader approach than just that”,  says Peter  “We look for what is special or unique about a place, reflect that in our design and ensure we enhance not only the site and the user’s experience but the wider environment as well.  Broadly, it’s about creating places where people and the rest of the natural world can thrive.”  

We look forward to seeing what Peter’s expertise can add to the beautiful landscapes that we are all privileged to enjoy here in the South Wairarapa.

Chris Cassels