Trio have designs on wharf

BY RANI TIMOTI

From teaching future landscape architects to getting down to practical business, a Muriwai resident is keeping his skills fresh.

Unitec lecturer Peter Griffiths, along with Hamish Foote and Den Aitken are finalists in a competition to redesign Auckland’s Queens Wharf.

The trio from the department of landscape architecture have made the shortlist of five.

About 250 designs were submitted by some of the country’s top architects and architecture firms.

"It’s fantastic that the consortium of judges has been able to see the importance of landscape architecture design in these big projects," says Peter, a lecturer for about 10 years.

"From a Unitec perspective, this lends even more weight to what we have been developing here for years and that is that we very much practice what we teach."

Peter is adamant that as teachers they all believe in real world learning.

"There is nothing better than being able to show students examples of our own work and the way we work," he says.

Contestants needed a design to convert Queens Wharf into a space for the public to enjoy, cater to major events and provide a new primary terminal to support future growth of the cruise ship industry.

Thei trio’s design was based around the idea of "shift" that would allow the space within the complex to be adjusted to suit activities planned for the wharf.

"The idea is to allow the space to be moved and changed to cater to the different uses for the space," says Den.

"The complex is a wharf so we wanted to maintain the character and the structural integrity of the site rather than design something new and lavish."

Their design includes a promenade which runs through the middle of the wharf linking the plaza spaces on both sides.

The judging panel believed the Unitec lecturers work had "considerable potential".

The next stage is to develop their concepts further with the winning design announced in November.

Peter says living in Muriwai provides constant inspiration.

"I love the place – it’s wild and gritty. It has so much to offer in terms of dynamics and changing conditions."

- © Fairfax NZ News