The results of the competition for the Outer Tee were announced today - this morning, over a very tasty breakfast, with most of the architectural and creative people in Wellington in attendance. The results are that 6 schemes were picked as first place, ie with ideas worth exploring and worth taking further. They are:

Wellington’s Urban Playground - by Michael Callahan
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With the final unveiling of the winning solutions for the Outer Tee being announced next week, at a breakfast function on 4th November, it is time that we looked at what might actually be likely to win.

There were, sadly, not many really serious solutions. Lots of lovely stuff from the children of the city, which are great on visionary talent, but low on drawing capability, and if we take the childrens’ submissions and the results of our poll to the right, then we’d have to say: build a Roller Coaster, build a Ferris Wheel, and that by and large, Girls (and boys) Just Wanna Have Fun.

But on a more serious side, what really might be worthy of winning? My guess is that anything that builds a large structure in the middle of the viewshaft will not get through. The public has fought so long and hard for those viewshafts from the city to the sea, and WWL know better than to do away with them at this stage. So, good as it may be, this one here just ain’t going to get through:

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If you wanted to see the latest Pecha Kucha night in Wellington, then : apologies, because you’ve just missed it. I presume that you know what I’m on about? If not, then go here and discover all about it. A global phenomenom by now, running periodically in 248 cities now, it was Wellington’s turn tonight (and a mix of San Jose, Maastrict, Norrkoping, Orange County, San Diego, Aalen, Columbia and Denver tomorrow night, and Beirut, Charleston, Ghent and Nelson the next night). That’s possibly the only thing that Beirut, Charleston, Ghent and Nelson have in common. Yes, they have PK in Nelson now - apparently even in Hamilton. There truly are no limits now.

But tonight was special - of course - because it was in Wellington. Pecha Kucha, known for its egaliterian treatment of all and sundry, with 20 seconds for each of 20 slides, treats every one and every image the same. The line-up tonight was Read the rest of this entry »

Disappointed! We carefully picked a selection of the most outrageous entries that we thought Auckland might go for: the official choice of 5 contestants is out, and whaddya know - they didn’t agree with any of our choice! No giant Kiwi eggs! No rugby balls! No tacky stuff at all! But at least they have made a decision…. almost. So, here are the final Auckland 5: Read the rest of this entry »

After waiting many years, Wellington Waterfront finally held the long awaited Competition for the Outer Tee. We’ve been holding our breath, waiting to hear what the results of the competition were. How many entries? Any good ideas? Was there an outright winner? Could the judges make up their minds?

But since the entry period closed, nothing but Silence.

Contrary to common opinion, silence is not golden, Read the rest of this entry »

Competition closes on 24 August. Get your 1 x A3 page down to Wellington Waterfront fast (Shed 6, North Queens Wharf).

Update: Due TODAY ! Don’t forget ! Entry details below. We’re delighted to be a conduit for you to find out more about the Competition for the Outer-T of Queens Wharf here in Wellington. It’s been noted before that it may be coming up, and here it is at last - Wellington Waterfront Ltd have now formally announced the Ideas competition, to be known as BLUE-SKY the Outer-T.

“Your Idea for the heart of Wellington Waterfront”

It’s due by 5pm on 24 August (to Shed 6 on Queens Wharf), and should not exceed 2xA4 or 1xA3 in size. Don’t put your name on the actual entry - it is a completely ‘blind’ judging process. They are looking for ideas - through words, through photos, designs, drawings - any way that you can get your ideas across. They really are looking for a great selection of proposals - as wide ranging as possible, to inform the way forward for the city to celebrate the centrepiece of our world-class Waterfront promenade.

Judges include a fantastic range of people, including Her Worship the Mayor Kerry Prendergast, the head of Urban Design in Victoria Stuart Niven, Michael Cashin and Ian Pike from Wellington Waterfront, Di Buchan from the Civic Trust, Morrie Love as a cultural advisor, Alistair Cattanach as an Engineer, Mike Gould as an Architect, Fran Wilde from the Greater Wellington Regional Council, and Peter Biggs from Clemenger BBDO.

“The Competition is all about Concepts and ideas not expertise.”

Who can enter? Anyone. Everyone. Groups. Individuals. Young people. Old people. Small people. Tall people. You get the idea. Actually - if you HAVE the idea, then enter, and you may win.

Click here to download the Entry Form
Feel free to discuss matters here if you wish. Any questions?