Linking arts, village life and community connection at Uxbridge Precinct
At a glance
The Uxbridge Precinct redevelopment aimed to bring Howick’s civic and cultural spaces together as a central hub for the community. The focus was on creating a place where arts, everyday village life, and community connection can coexist, while preserving the character that makes Howick distinctive. The vision was to deliver a welcoming, functional and culturally engaging environment that reflects the village’s past, supports its present and strengthens its identity for the future.
The challenge
The challenge
Initially, the precinct functioned as a collection of separate parts. The arts centre, library, Fencible Walk and Garden of Memories were all valued community amenities, but the connections between them, both physical and experiential, were limited. The challenge was to turn this dispersed arrangement into a precinct that genuinely felt unified. At the same time, Howick Village’s established character needed careful consideration.
The redevelopment had to respect and complement the area’s historic charm while introducing contemporary facilities to support a wider range of cultural and community activity. Our focus was on understanding not just how people moved through the space, but how the precinct could reinforce the village’s identity and become a true hub for local life.
Our response
Our response
We began with a thorough urban design analysis of Howick Village, immersing the team in the patterns, opportunities, and constraints that shape the local context. This insight informed the masterplan, which was later approved by Auckland Council for its potential to strengthen the precinct’s relationship with the village. During concept development, we explored multiple site options before presenting the preferred scheme to the Urban Design Panel, who endorsed its clarity and sensitivity.
A key architectural decision was to retain and celebrate the former church. While not formally listed, it holds clear historic and architectural value within the precinct. We made the church a central feature by designing the new buildings in a contemporary yet understated way, keeping the landmark visually and symbolically prominent.
At the same time, new connections were introduced to improve pedestrian movement between the village, the arts centre, the library and surrounding public spaces. Detailed design followed, with ongoing involvement during construction to bring the vision to life.
The impact
The impact
Today, the Uxbridge Precinct provides a more engaging and connected experience for the community. Strengthened pedestrian links and clearer spatial relationships create an environment that feels intuitive and welcoming, encouraging people to move naturally between cultural, civic and recreational spaces. The former church now stands prominently as a central anchor, giving visitors and residents a stronger sense of continuity and local identity. The result is a precinct that honours Howick’s past while supporting its cultural future.