Some of the world’s most innovative and exciting architects have said ‘yes’ to an invitation from Wellington Waterfront Ltd to compete for the opportunity to design four new buildings proposed for Waitangi Park.

A design brief has been prepared for competitors by the Waterfront Development Sub-committee’s (WDSC) Technical Advisory Group (TAG), comprising senior Wellington architecture and urban design academics and practitioners.   

The draft design brief has been published on the Council’s website and the public has the opportunity to comment on it at the WDSC’s next meeting on 20 June and during the four week consultation period that follows. 

“It’s New Zealand’s Year of the Built Environment and this cluster of four, relatively small, building sites offers Wellington the opportunity to demonstrate to the world that it embraces and fosters real innovation and creativity and is not scared of stepping ‘outside the square’,” says Wellington Waterfront Chair Fran Wilde. 

“We’re very excited about the calibre of international and New Zealand architects who have already indicated their interest in accepting the challenge to create something really special for the waterfront and the city,” Ms Wilde said. 

Twenty one architects, including four from New Zealand, were invited to take part in the competition.  Four of the New Zealand architects and seven of the overseas firms have indicated an interest in submitting an entry. 

The competition will be judged by a panel comprising Wellington Waterfront Ltd Chair Fran Wilde, Te Papa Board Chair Dr Roderick Deane, three notable New Zealand architects and one respected Wellingtonian, yet to be invited. 

The judging criteria will take into account (in no particular order):

• Estimated costs and feasibility of design and construction
• Fit with the Wellington Waterfront Framework
• Creativity and Imagination
• Contribution to the critical debate on architecture and urbanism
• Expression of contemporary culture
• Public feedback
• Functionality
• Compatibility with neighbouring Waitangi Park, Overseas Terminal, Chaffers Dock and Te Papa
• Impacts on the local neighbourhood.

The selection process will involve several stages: 

• Approved design brief sent to architects
• Five designs short listed by TAG, Te Papa and Wellington Waterfront Ltd
• Concept designs prepared and submitted
• Public consultation and detailed analysis of short listed concepts by TAG and Wellington Waterfront Ltd
• Summary reports prepared for judging panel
• Judging panel chooses the competition winner
• Winning concept design presented to Wellington Waterfront Board, Te Papa Board and the Subcommittee for approval.
   

The public will have the opportunity to participate throughout the process:

• When the design brief is presented to the Subcommittee for approval to consult
• During the consultation process on the design brief
• When the short listed designs are presented for public consultation
• When the winning design is presented to the Subcommittee for approval to proceed
• With public interest groups, such as neighbouring residents associations, businesses, disability groups etc, during preparation of developed designs
• When the developed design is presented to the Subcommittee for approval to seek Resource Consent
• When Resource Consents are sought.
   

Says Ms Wilde, “We want this process to be as transparent as possible and hope that Wellingtonians will get behind this opportunity to show to the world what a cultured, modern and fun city we really are.”

Ends…

For further information contact:

Barbara Bercic
Communication Manager
Wellington Waterfront Ltd

Ph 495-7820

barbara.bercic@wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz