Architecture students to turn Britomart into playful pop-up village

On 30 and 31 October, Britomart’s Takutai Square will transform into a pop-up village of interactive architecture as part of Urban Art Village, an annual event showcasing large-scale installations in public spaces.

Directed by Matthew Liggins from the School of Architecture and Planning, the event gives architecture students the chance to design, build and exhibit their work.

Now in its tenth year, Urban Art Village has opened its doors to students and graduates from AUT, Unitec and Victoria University of Wellington, joining the University of Auckland cohort for the first time.

"I’ve always thought that we need to come together as different schools," says Liggins.

"Instead of competing in student design awards, why don’t we just hang out and enjoy each other’s company… It doesn’t need to be a competition."

He says the theme this year is about bringing people together to create something bigger than themselves.

"It’s a village - a group of people, all different, contributing something unique. I normally say, ‘What are you frustrated about or what ideas would you like to share with the public?’ and we go from there."

Two of Liggins’ thesis students are exhibiting this year - James Holyoake and Madison Edgecombe - whose works show very different approaches.

More Than a Roof Over Your Head

Holyoake’s installation, More Than a Roof Over Your Head, draws on his thesis exploring backcountry huts. The structure breaks a hut into five interactive elements — chimney, table and chairs, drying room, bed, and kitchen area — designed to be portable and adaptable. Visitors can interact with the furniture and document their experiences, creating a "memory bank" of engagement.

"James has made like 400 models or something, he’s just obsessed with making stuff based on the idea of extreme architecture — the idea of huts and how they’re designed and what they mean to people and their experiences in extreme conditions," says Liggins.

What Hides Behind the Curtain? And what's that music?

Edgecombe’s installation, What Hides Behind the Curtain? And what’s that music?, is a miniature, performative “parasitic” box hidden within the Urban Art Village.

Passersby will see only pleated red theatre curtains and a small flag, with music drifting out, and curiosity will draw them in. Inside, performances play for minutes at a time before the curtains close, abruptly ending the music and hiding the action. The installation also documents visitors’ engagement with a camera and remote printer, highlighting the unpredictable, stop-and-start nature of urban interaction.

"Madi’s kind of punk and she’s interested in the idea that the cities have lost their energy since the St James Theatre has closed down," says Liggins.

"So her site is the St James and she’s done an activation to bring back this kind of ad-hoc punk activism, where students are getting frustrated that the city’s becoming privatised and there’s no space or place for them to come together and do things."

The two-day event concludes with a Halloween celebration on Friday night, featuring a live jazz band and plenty of nearby food options.