Designing our district: Fraser’s got it covered
Designing our district: Fraser's got it covered
6 June 2017
Have you ever wondered how we come up with the landscaping we have around the district? A lot of it is probably attributable to our landscape architect, Fraser Scott.
Fraser has been with the council for 12 years and, in that time, designed the Taupo water treatment plant platform, the new and improved Heuheu Street, the town centre intersections currently receiving makeovers, and the recently finished Wharewaka lakefront redevelopment.
Of course he hasn't acted alone - they have been created in conjunction with a whole host of experts, from engineers and town planners to external agencies and the community. But he's the man behind the visual look and feel.
"It's a great challenge coming together with people with different world views and working with the community who are going to see the outcome of the project every day," he said.
Fraser got into landscape architecture because he saw it as a creative way to earn a living.
"I like to be involved with the change that's created and have a positive influence on it," he said. "Development is always going to happen and to be a part of that is amazing. We want to do it the best we can and make sure our patch looks spectacular."
Fraser's input begins in the concept planning stages, where options are put forward to councillors and staff for consideration of projects. From there he creates detailed graphic designs that show how to build, create and manage the site.
He said it can be quite surreal seeing his designs coming to life around the district, and found the water treatment plant platform a particularly rewarding project.
"There was a time there when that was going to be a simple tin roof," he said. "Now hundreds of people stop there every day to admire the view and take a break. It's so cool to see that area come to life."