Canopy keeps growing

Canopy is excited to welcome Kate Canny to the Nelson office. Kate has joined the team as our office manager and will be also helping out with graphic design and horticultural advice.

Having previously worked at Studio Pacific Architecture in Wellington as their office administrator and graphic designer, she is warmly welcomed to assist us in many areas of the office. 

As well as administrative work, Kate is an enthusiastic gardener and designer and is looking forward to bringing fresh ideas and sound solutions to landscape plans. She has a passion for creative ideas and appreciates clever and compelling design.

Kate loves the balance she gets from working in a creative and collaborative workplace and her family life with her husband and their 16 month old son. In her spare time Kate likes to explore Nelson’s growing artistic region. Her favourite local artist is Jamie Brown from Twigg who works with willow, grape vines and other natural mediums to produce timeless handcrafted outdoor sculptures. You can check out his work on a collaborative project Canopy did with Jamie here.

Job Opportunity

Landscape Architect / Draughtsperson with 2+ years experience to join our Nelson based team.

Canopy are a small team of landscape architects and landscape planners with an impressive level of experience in landscape architecture, landscape planning, master planning and Greenfield developments.  We enjoy a range of work and have some interesting projects in the pipeline.  Based in Nelson we have work in Tasman and Marlborough and collaborate and support for our Christchurch office when required. We believe in creating exceptional spaces and require someone who is both skilled and passionate about their work to become an important member of the team.

The role is for a talented landscape architect or draftsperson who will work with our team with a focus on the preparation of 3D modelling and draughting. Remuneration for this role will be negotiated with the successful candidate and be relative to their skills and experience.

You will ideally have:

·       excellent drafting skills;

·       competency in Vectorworks and/or AutoCad, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office;

·       3D modelling skills;

·       experience in the preparation of detailed design and construction documentation and project management;

·       the necessary Landscape Architectural or Draughting qualifications;

·       good time management skills and a motivated attitude towards project work;

·       a friendly manner and able to communicate well with staff, clients and the public.

Working with us will allow you to grow in a challenging but fun environment. We are a social and open office who enjoy the outdoors and making the most of life in sunny Nelson. We believe in a collaborative and supportive approach with a focus on helping you to develop a wide range of skills.

If you think you will fit right in, we would love to talk. Please email us including your CV and portfolio to

 info@canopy.co.nz or ring on (03) 5488551. 

TREEMENDOUS!

Treemendous School Makeovers is a joint initiative between the Mazda Foundation and Project Crimson.  The project teaches children about the importance of caring for the environment through the development of outdoor classrooms.  Canopy was recently involved in providing help with a concept and developing the Plan that was successful in receiving a $10, 000 grant for Central School.  This is a big deal considering 100 schools applied and only 5 receive a grant.

In the words of Lynley Walters – Central Schools Enviro leader, teacher and securer of school makeover: 

“Our vision is to create an area where the children can play and learn amongst the fauna and flora whilst also providing a natural home and ecosystem for local bird and animal life. Our school is part of a biodiversity corridor that connects local reserves and parks to the city. We are currently working in partnership with the Waimaori stream care project to develop and maintain the corridor, and the children have adopted a nearby stream to support this. We see this not only as a responsibility and also a taoanga.

The physical properties of the prospective area are based on the concept of a sensory garden. Each area within the design has been carefully thought through to stimulate each of the five senses. This stimulation occurs courtesy of the plants and materials used. These areas engage sight, smell, touch, taste and sound. Sensory gardens are becoming popular for both adults and children internationally, and are beneficial for all children particularly those with processing and sensory disorders.

When consulting with the children it was very apparent that they dreamed of a new magical and mysterious play area. School playgrounds can be somewhat one dimensional and not always stimulating or exciting for children. If not happily engaged in play, disputes and conflicts can occur.” 

The Tremendous site in Central School.  The wildness of the site was a great inspiration.

I am particularly keen on the planned quiet hammock space and am hoping to take my high energy kids here at the weekend once its up and ready.  Lying back and watching the leaves sway in the wind sounds like an ideal weekend activity with the kids! but knowing my luck they will be more attracted to the noisy activities.... 

Eco kids ready for action!

http://treemendous.org.nz/