Nature by design.
Design by nature.

Takoto is a landscape design studio bringing together landscape architects, urban designers and planting specialists with a shared focus on thoughtful, enduring outdoor spaces. Combining creativity, practical experience and a refined design approach, we collaborate closely with a trusted network of artisans, craftspeople and growers to create landscapes with quiet elegance and lasting connection to place.

Services

From concept to completion, Takoto delivers considered landscape design and installation for new builds, renovations and lifestyle properties.

Working alongside clients, architects and builders from the earliest stages, we create landscapes that feel seamlessly connected to the home and surrounding environment. Early involvement allows every element to be carefully resolved through planning, consent and construction.

Our services span both hardscape and softscape design, including planting, lighting, water features, retaining walls, pools, pergolas, outdoor living spaces and bespoke detailing. Detailed presentation plans and construction documentation ensure clarity through every stage of the project.

From sourcing and planting through to coordinating trusted contractors and craftspeople, Takoto oversees delivery with a hands-on, collaborative approach.

  • Residential
    Commercial
    Public
    Detail documentation
    Construction administration

  • Land development
    Subdivisions
    Land management
    Ecological management

  • Assessments
    Resource consent
    Structure plans
    Mitigation plans

Gerard O’Connell
Director | Landscape Architect

Gerard O’Connell is the founder of Takoto Landscape Architects, bringing a thoughtful, site-led approach shaped by experience across both Europe and New Zealand.

After spending seven years overseas, including five and a half years living and working in Copenhagen, Gerard returned to Wānaka in 2020, where he led the local studio for national Landscape Architecture firm. During this time, he worked across a wide range of projects throughout Central Otago and beyond, with a strong focus on high-end residential landscapes integrated carefully into the surrounding environment.

His work spans private residences, rural estates, hospitality spaces, public landscapes and large-scale masterplanning projects, combining strong conceptual thinking with a practical understanding of how landscapes are built and experienced over time. Gerard has extensive experience guiding projects from early design direction through detailed documentation and on-site implementation.

Prior to returning home, Gerard completed a Master’s degree in Landscape Architecture at the University of Copenhagen and worked with leading Danish landscape architecture studios on projects ranging from memorials and civic spaces to parks, cycle infrastructure and urban renewal projects. This experience continues to influence his approach, balancing restraint, materiality and ecological sensitivity with a strong connection to place.

At Takoto, Gerard’s work is grounded in creating landscapes that feel enduring, natural and deeply connected to the architecture and environment around them. His approach prioritises clarity, atmosphere and long-term stewardship, designing outdoor spaces that become more meaningful with time.

Outside the studio, Gerard is most at home in the mountains or near the water, drawing inspiration from the landscapes of Aotearoa and the lifestyle of Central Otago. A proud dad, family life continues to shape his approach to residential design, creating spaces that foster connection, adaptability and a lasting sense of belonging.