Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Look at Queens Wharf Designs - Put yourself in the picture...

Did you know that the Auckland Sydney Opera House design competition almost brought down the Government? It's true. Totally polarised the community...

Hasn't gone that far in Auckland. Storm in a tea cup by comparison. But remember the screams over the proposed waterfront stadium? I don't mind admitting I was in favour of an stadium on Bledisloe Wharf. An appropriate one - scaleable. Could have up to 60,000 seats, but otherwise an open-ended structure with views to CBD and Rangitoto, and a base of around 30,000 seats on each side. Plenty of examples around the world. But I digress....

The tyranny of the majority (or do I really mean: of the uninformed) threatens what has been an action packed and highly participated and idea-filled design competition. Sure the brief is tight: short-term party central, longer term legacy opportunity, keep the sheds vs demolish the sheds, cruise ship terminal, $47 million. But actually: money is tight, time is tight, and there's lot that's mighty fine about the ideas that have been put up.

I've selected a few images here from among finalist designs. They are beautifully executed, and show real care for the purpose: people space, gathering space, Auckland.

Put yourself in these pictures.
They are not oil paintings - to be looked at from a distance.
They are places for people to go and see and enjoy themselves.

Take a look at them. Go down to Quay Street and understand them.
Or look at them yourself on the website: http://www.queenswharf.org.nz/

And don't be put off by the baying of politicians.


From Design 8


From Design 4


From Design 6


From Design 3


From Design 2













Put yourself in these pictures.
They are not oil paintings - to be looked at from a distance.
They are places for Auckland local people to go, and see, and enjoy themselves.
And don't be put off by the baying of politicians.

No comments:

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Look at Queens Wharf Designs - Put yourself in the picture...

Did you know that the Auckland Sydney Opera House design competition almost brought down the Government? It's true. Totally polarised the community...

Hasn't gone that far in Auckland. Storm in a tea cup by comparison. But remember the screams over the proposed waterfront stadium? I don't mind admitting I was in favour of an stadium on Bledisloe Wharf. An appropriate one - scaleable. Could have up to 60,000 seats, but otherwise an open-ended structure with views to CBD and Rangitoto, and a base of around 30,000 seats on each side. Plenty of examples around the world. But I digress....

The tyranny of the majority (or do I really mean: of the uninformed) threatens what has been an action packed and highly participated and idea-filled design competition. Sure the brief is tight: short-term party central, longer term legacy opportunity, keep the sheds vs demolish the sheds, cruise ship terminal, $47 million. But actually: money is tight, time is tight, and there's lot that's mighty fine about the ideas that have been put up.

I've selected a few images here from among finalist designs. They are beautifully executed, and show real care for the purpose: people space, gathering space, Auckland.

Put yourself in these pictures.
They are not oil paintings - to be looked at from a distance.
They are places for people to go and see and enjoy themselves.

Take a look at them. Go down to Quay Street and understand them.
Or look at them yourself on the website: http://www.queenswharf.org.nz/

And don't be put off by the baying of politicians.


From Design 8


From Design 4


From Design 6


From Design 3


From Design 2













Put yourself in these pictures.
They are not oil paintings - to be looked at from a distance.
They are places for Auckland local people to go, and see, and enjoy themselves.
And don't be put off by the baying of politicians.

No comments: