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Designing a dam that reduces flood risk and prevents environmental degradation of the Heathcote River in Christchurch

Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
Offices
Client
  • Christchurch City Council
Architect
Kamo Marsh (landscape)
Award
Stormwater Paper of the Year, Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference Awards, 2024

Cashmere Valley Dam

Facing environmental challenges can be a long game. We¡¯re doing what we can now to prevent future issues¡ªthat¡¯s our aim with the Cashmere Valley Dam, a four-metre-high flood detention structure with the fundamental goal of reducing flooding during heavy rainfall events for roads and properties along the Heathcote River.

Since developing the resource consent application, our team has undertaken preliminary and detailed design for the dam, covering all landscape, civil, geotechnical, and electrical aspects. So far, our work on this ongoing project has also consisted of providing services such as building consent, procurement, and construction. The community is the foundation for our work, but we¡¯ve got the environment in mind with our design. By enhancing sediment filtration, the dam helps to reduce the degradation of the Heathcote River. Our team looked to reduce disruption where possible¡ªfor example, the 200,000-cubic-metre stormwater storage was thoughtfully integrated into public amenity spaces through extensive native planting.

Our dams are built to serve their communities, present and future. In Cashmere Valley, we¡¯re implementing our design to help support the safety of residents and strengthen the natural environment around them.

Location
Christchurch, New Zealand
Offices
Client
  • Christchurch City Council
Architect
Kamo Marsh (landscape)
Award
Stormwater Paper of the Year, Water New Zealand Stormwater Conference Awards, 2024

Meet Our Team

Kirstie Thorpe, Senior Principal Landscape Architect & Urban Design/Team Lead, Landscape & Urban Design

I weave threads of landscape together and incorporate their values into infrastructure projects.
Kirstie Thorpe Senior Principal Landscape Architect & Urban Design/Team Lead, Landscape & Urban Design Read More

Chris Baddock, Electrical Discipline Leader

With innovative engineering, we can upgrade our water infrastructure to turn waste into resources and achieve better outcomes for everyone.

Louise Hamilton, Senior Landscape Architect

Landscape architecture is seeing and understanding all the layers in the environment, then enriching that place through thoughtful design.

Kirstie Thorpe

Senior Principal Landscape Architect & Urban Design/Team Lead, Landscape & Urban Design

Chris Baddock

Electrical Discipline Leader

Louise Hamilton

Senior Landscape Architect

We¡¯re better together

  • Become a client

    Partner with us today to change how tomorrow looks. You¡¯re exactly what¡¯s needed to help us make it happen in your community.

  • Design your career

    Work with passionate people who are experts in their field. Our teams love what they do and are driven by how their work makes an impact on the communities they serve.

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