Critics

 Claire O'Shaughnessy

Associate Principal - Senior Landscape Architect Landscape Architecture Jasmax 

BArch (Hons) - University of Auckland BAS - University of Auckland MLA - Unitec Member, New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Auckland Permaculture Certificate 

Claire’s core experience as a landscape architect centres on high profile, large scale public projects which integrate streetscapes, plazas, parks and podium decks with architectural developments. 

Claire has worked in architecture and landscape architecture in both New Zealand and the UK. Her background in architecture and current role as a landscape architect has provided a platform to contribute well-resolved detail to her projects and a practiced understanding of the role of landscape and architecture in the urban environment. Her contributions to the creative and technical design of these projects has proven invaluable to the success of many integrated Jasmax projects. Working in these multidisciplinary teams has meant she has had the rare ability as a landscape architect to see many projects at Jasmax through from inception to completion.

Claire’s approach to her work is theoretical, experimental and social at heart, giving her projects a distinctive richness. Her graphic abilities are strong, giving her the ability to communicate effectively through visual content. Key project examples include the award-winning VXV Plaza associated to Fonterra’s global headquarters in Auckland’s Wynyard Quarter, City Rail Link public realm reference designs for Aotea Station and Victoria St Linear Park, and the Gilbert Islands Coastwatcher’s Memorial and Plaza associated to NZ Post’s headquarters in Wellington.

Claire is extremely passionate about making places for people, and draws together specialist teams in order to deliver high quality, socially responsible urban landscapes.

Benoit COPPENS

Benoit has a  Master degree in Landscape Architecture, he has collaborated with Coloco office & Gilles Clement for 5 years in landscape projects & studies, and  4Sight in Auckland. He is now working  as a Landscape Architect consultant for Suzanne Turley

Ben van Bruggen Principal - Senior Urban Designer Urban Design Jasmax

BA (Hons) Town & Country Planning - Oxford Brookes University PGDip Urban Planning - University of Westminister  Master of Urban Design (Maud) - University of Westminister 

Committee Member, New Zealand Urban Design Forum Founding Member, Placemaking Aotearoa 

Ben has over 20 years’ urban design experience with a proven track record of city-shaping infrastructure, urban regeneration and housing projects in New Zealand, his native London, and in Europe and China. Currently a Principal and Senior Urban Designer in Jasmax, Ben thrives on using design thinking to solve complex urban problems. The results are places that are inviting, stand the test of time and reflect the client and community’s identity.

Ben’s understanding of the connection between design policy and projects makes him an exceptional advocate for clients. His background in the UK’s Commission for Architecture and Built Environment, extensive design review experience and as Auckland Council’s strategic design lead, enable a deep understanding of the elements that need to interact and align to create exciting, thriving cities. His skillset and passion lie in aligning diverse stakeholders, including iwi, central and local government, planners and architects to realise infrastructure, housing and urban regeneration projects that unlock value. These include social, health, wellbeing, cultural, and environmental benefits as well as commercial value.

In leading and designing large scale and transformational projects, Ben distinguishes himself. He has worked on several in New Zealand already, including Auckland’s City Centre Masterplan, the Light Rail proposal, the Let’s Get Wellington Moving initiative and several spatial planning projects. He brings insights and proven technical know-how in design review, design codes, master plans and frameworks, townscape assessments and design strategy to the table to enhance value for clients and communities.

JANE Park 

Jane is a multidisciplinary designer with qualifications in classical music, graphic design, spatial design, and landscape architecture.She brings insight from 10 years of experience in the creative industry having co-directed a cultural community space on Karangahape road, managing a high-end glass design studio and currently working as a Designer in the Urban design & Masterplanning team at Eke Panuku.She is involved in several regenerative urban design projects across Tāmaki including Henderson, Takapuna, Avondale, and the Auckland Waterfront. Her special interests include the urban soundscape and innovative collaboration between disciplines to find new solutions and ways of thinking. 

Richard Mann

Landscape Architect of Ngāti Kahugnunu, Ngāi Tūhoe and Tongan descent.  I have worked in private and public sector organisations in the field of public open space planning, design and development.  My range of completed works include various coastal public walkway & foreshore developments, beach upgrade programmes, cemetery design & planning, wahī tapu & heritage site planning, green & brown field development and residential design.  I have coordinated and taught onto the Bachelor of Landscape Architecture programme at Unitec and represent Nga Aho on the Auckland Urban Design Panel.