Here Now – Reimagining New Lynn

New Lynn, a suburb of Auckland, is marked by the Whau River—once a vital transport route—and by the legacy of Crown Lynn Pottery. As part of the Auckland Heritage Festival 2013, over 120 students from the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning created more than 20 site-specific installations across New Lynn. Each project responded to the suburb’s layered history—from its role as a transport hub on the Whau River to its legacy of Crown Lynn Pottery.

Our team of six, working under the studio theme “An Empty Stage”, explored how sound could redirect attention from curated exhibits to the overlooked fabric of the building itself. We developed a series of mechanical contraptions that blended into the station’s structure. At timed intervals, they produced subtle sounds that revealed details—ducts, walls, frameworks—that usually escape notice. The installation invited visitors to become aware of their here and now through the everyday spaces around them.

The installation challenged the assumption that architecture must stand out to be noticed. By remaining “invisible” until activated, the contraptions elevated unnoticed parts of the station into moments of discovery. Our concept was tested live during a jury presentation, where the contraption drew attention to a services duct; the surprise element was highly commended, placing us among the top six groups.

We extended interaction further through a stamp-collection game, encouraging children to seek out all contraption sites in exchange for small prizes. Adults engaged with the architectural play of sound and silence, while children enjoyed the treasure-hunt format—turning the installation into a multi-layered community experience.

Our project was commended by an international jury and placed among the top six installations of the festival.

For a more detailed account on the project and the event, please click on the "open project" link at the top.