Christchurch buildings: the good, the bad and the ugly
The Press
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Christchurch
The good, the bad and the ugly of Christchurch architecture have been singled out in new design rules.
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The Christchurch City Council is moving to impose urban-design etiquette and avert architectural mistakes such as clashing with the neighbours, glaring corporate colours and the long, blank walls common to most suburban shopping malls.
The proposed rules will be overseen by an urban-design panel of four experts drawn from a pool of 12 architects, designers, planners and valuers. The panel, which has met twice and will meet again tomorrow, reviews major schemes, and its judgment could influence planning decisions.
The panelists are paid $150 an hour for meetings, which last between two and three hours. This means an average meeting costs ratepayers between $1200 and $1800.
An issues paper on the proposed rules uses Christchurch buildings and streetscapes as examples of good and bad planning.
The Eastgate Shopping Centre, the C1 Tower under construction in Gloucester Street in central Christchurch, Pak'nSave supermarkets, The Flying Burrito Brothers in New Regent Street and the Crowne Plaza hotel are used as examples of poor urban design.
The South of Lichfield development, the City Mall, High Street and the park between Oxford Terrace and the Avon River have been singled out as examples of good planning.
The draft rules will go out for consultation before the end of the year and could become planning law by the middle of next year. They will control development in an area within the four avenues and specific business areas such as suburban malls across the city.
Council principal adviser for urban design Hugh Nicholson said the examples used in the draft design rules all complied with current planning law.
The proposed rules do not dictate specific height, colour or layout for buildings, but describe basic good design practices such as sensitivity to nearby heritage, pedestrian-friendly public space and good-quality materials that new buildings must comply with.
Nicholson said the measures were needed to protect the city from poor design. "We think they are needed for the public good. We think that some of the streetscapes and public spaces are being diminished by the quality of the buildings going in between them," he said.
Council staff are working on broader new rules to enforce good design in new Christchurch housing.
Christchurch developer Michael Ogilvie-Lee said the guidelines and panel were a good idea, but could be impractical.
"The council should have a role in saying something is bloody awful and should not go up. It is a good idea, but it is difficult to make it workable," he said.
Property Council New Zealand South Island president Layne Harwood said the measures could create better buildings. There were bad examples of architecture "in this part of the world" because of poor planning, he said.
HAVE YOUR SAY: Tell us your top five good and ugly buildings in Christchurch. Email reporters@press.co.nz.
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I think the panel commenting need education in over-all design. The Cosmic Corner building I would not deem as a good comparison considering all the other buildings in the city. Cosmic Corners signage is been done at budget the design is what I would consider ... uninspiring and one of the worst shop fronts and presence in the city.
As for the tower, the Council could seek advice from Architect or Architectural Designer with proven track record for taste and history and employ them to not let past ugly design or put it to a board, especially if it is more than 3 stories high...! A board of movers and forward thinkers, that are not looking after there best interests.
The cost for the panelists is minimal given the possible outcomes. We continue to cherish the thought given to some of our early developments, and now only marvel at the cost Christchurch settlers were prepared to make to provide great buildings for the future. The Cathedrals are two wonderful examples. What will be the legacy of this generation? Hopefully not concrete cubes.
Christchurch has lagged behind Wellington, Auckland and many major international cities in creating an urban design panel and urban design guidelines.
This is ratepayers money well spent (and I think the Press is merely trying to stir up controversy by mentioning the cost).
For too long the people of Christchurch have had to put up with mediocre to purely ugly designs that have seriously detracted from the once grand city centre that we had.
About time urban design and planning was taken seriously in this city. Moorhouse Avenue is a disgrace; such haphazard ugly development should never have been allowed. There are so many interesting older heritage buildings just waiting for a facelift and sustainable use. The SOL precinct is a wonderful work in progress, as long as care is taken each step of the way. It could one day put Christchurch on the map for innovative re-design of tired, old inner city areas
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what about having an averge joe on the board getting $150 per hour, just because you not an architect, or a designer; doesn't mean you can't see whats happening to our city! Some of the projects around town are a discrace! good job!