Queens Wharf design finalists (+poll)

Five finalists have been chosen for the Queens Wharf redevelopment design competition. The finalists, one from China and four from Auckland, were selected from 237 original design entries.

The final five designs were chosen for their ability to strike the right balance between meeting the need for a great space for the public to enjoy, the ability to act as a major celebration venue during the 2011 Rugby World Cup (and other future events), and the need for a world class cruise-ship terminal. 

The five finalists are design numbers 024 (Andrius Gedgaudas, Architect, Shanghai China), 046 (Den Aitken, Pete Griffins and Hamish Foote, Field Landscape Architecture, Auckland), 170 (David Gibbs and Aaron Sills, Construkt / SVB, Auckland), 195 (John Coop, Tasman Studio, Auckland) and 216 (Simon Williams, Williams Architects Ltd, Auckland). 

The shortlist was approved by Ministers Murray McCully and Gerry Brownlee, ARC Chairman Mike Lee and Auckland City Mayor John Banks, on the recommendation of the chief executives of the Ministry of Economic Development, Auckland Regional Council and Auckland City Council. The CEOs were assisted by expert advice from an advisory panel comprising Prof. John Hunt, Ian Athfield, Rebecca Skidmore, Jillian de Beer and Graeme McIndoe.  

In the view of the selection team, these five designs have the best potential to be further developed in Stage 2. As such, they are really a starting point for the work that will take place over the next two weeks until the end of Stage 2 of the competition, on 23 October.

In Stage 2, the finalists will develop their designs further, taking into account public feedback from over 2000 forms received and the 13 specific factors identified by the advisory panel as critical to achieving the objectives of the development.

These factors include; how to ensure a great visitor experience, considerations for how the wharf will be accessed from the sea as well as the land, how the public might enjoy elevated views from the wharf and get down to the water’s edge, options for shelter, and how to accommodate future events including RWC 2011.

The competition also invited organisations to submit expressions of interest (EOI) for design consultation services, as an alternative to presenting a particular design proposal.  Of the 25 EOIs received and reviewed, three submissions have been selected as finalists. The finalist teams are Tasman Studios, Jazmax + Architectus and the Water-shed team (attached).  It was agreed, that their submissions provided clear evidence of design capability and had carefully considered the particular challenges in delivering the Queens Wharf project when assembling their teams.  

The development of Queens Wharf is just one of a number of initiatives designed to turn the waterfront into a successful leisure destination and economic asset.  Prior to hosting celebrations for RWC, Queens Wharf will be the base for Rally New Zealand in May 2010.

The winning design will be announced in November. Visit www.queenswharf.org.nz to see more images of the finalist designs.