From the people who brought you the rocking central-city pump track, basketball court and forest of hammocks comes another two super-cool projects – a Tool Lendery and a pair of giant swings that double as a photo frame.
The projects, a collab between Fletcher Living and Gap Filler, aim to build central-city communities – and the Tool Lendery is nailing it (geddit!). Since it opened in August at 178 Cashel Street, local residents have been dropping in to hire tools they would otherwise have to buy, and while there they are sharing skills, learning new ones, and making friends.
The Lendery is a sweet bonus for those who have made the move to living in higher-density inner-city neighbourhoods such as Fletcher Living’s One Central development. It’s cool living so close to all that the central city has to offer but with that does come less space than ‘downsizers’ may have had previously to store tools or set up a workshop. By borrowing tools, people can save money, free up space at home, and be more sustainable.
The Tool Lendery is open Wednesdays 4 – 6pm and Saturdays 1 – 3pm.
The #chchswing project grew out of conversations between Gap Filler and several youth organisations. The call from the kids was for places to just hang out, and the swings have definitely provided that, as well as giving them a very Insta-friendly backdrop. When you stand in a certain place to take a photo, the frames of the swings line up to make what looks like a giant photo frame.
The swing was designed by Pippin Wright-Stow of F3 Design, the creative force behind several of Christchurch’s quirky post-quake projects, including Gap Filler’s Super Street Arcade and the Dance-O-Mat.
The Tool Lendery and #chchswing are among a suite of temporary projects under the banner of Placemaking at One Central. The projects span the five blocks between the Margaret Mahy Playground and Lichfield Street.