Got a favourite nook or cranny around the city? Or think there's a small space that should be named and shamed?

Wellington's best and worst urban nooks and crannies are being sought out in a competition being run by The Architectural Centre.

Spokeswoman Christine McCarthy says small spaces make up the city's character and deserve some recognition and exposure.

Among the 50 nooks and crannies nominated so far are the City and Sea bridge, where workers regularly shelter from the wind while eating lunch outside, and the Left Bank arcade, which is transformed into a vibrant international food market on Friday nights.

Some of the areas nominated as the worst include dark spaces like Opera House Ln, Cable Car Ln and upper Woodward St.

"It's a shift from thinking about buildings as objects, to spaces that stitch together a city," Ms McCarthy says. "We're trying to get public conversation about things . . . that make a city special. Sometimes they're spaces that are special to you, you think 'that's my little space'."

The competition follows one in 2007 looking at the best and worst buildings, which evoked lively public debate, Ms McCarthy says. Among the best buildings were Adam Art Gallery, Futuna Chapel and the Public Library, while the worst included Defence House and the big- box developments around Lyall Bay.

 

BEST AND WORST

Some of the best: City to Sea Bridge nooks St James Theatre car park under the circular ramp The connection between Karo Dr and Kelvin Gr Left bank on a Friday night Underneath the bridge between Frank Kitts Park and the Wellington Rowing Club. Some of the worst: Opera House Ln Grand Arcade Te Papa forecourt Top of Woodward St Cable Car Ln.

HAVE A SAY

Cast your vote at architecture.org.nz. Nominations close on Friday.

Contact Sophie Speer
Culture and Capital Day reporter
Email: sophie.speer@dompost.co.nz
Twitter: @sophie_speer

- © Fairfax NZ News

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