Edition 11 of The Waterfront Report includes:
Jury Verdict Heard Around the World
Three entries have shared first prize in the Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition – the biggest architectural competition in the world in 2006. The winners are:
- Jeppe Aagaard Andersen, Helsingor, Denmark;
- Tony Caro Architecture, Sydney, Australia; and
- Preston Lane Architects with James Whitten Architect, Hobart, Australia.
Announcing the results in Hobart on 25 January 2007, Premier Paul Lennon said the success of the competition sends a strong message that Tasmania is open to good ideas and is at the forefront of building great cities.
“The competition generated hundreds of brilliant ideas for improving connections between the city centre and the waterfront and has led to significant international publicity for Hobart with 280 entries from 51 countries,” Mr Lennon said. “Through this competition we have taken a leadership role in promoting good design for the benefit of the community. The entries in this competition are outstanding examples of engaging with the world while retaining our unique Tasmanian identity.”
Ideas generated by the competition will be scrutinised by the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority as it considers redevelopment of those parts of the Hobart waterfront that need improving and revitalising.
“The Jury believed there was no single entry that met all the challenges of the competition area,” said Jeff Gilmore, Chief Executive of the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority. “This reflects the complexity and importance of the area which is crucial to creating a waterfront that meets all community needs.”
Mr Gilmore thanked the entrants who in many cases spent hundreds of hours on their submissions: “The response from the worldwide community of creative people to solving these challenges has been phenomenal. Their efforts are most appreciated by all Tasmanians.”
What the Jury Said
An international Jury of eminent architects, landscape architects and urban designers decided the winners of the Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition.
The Jury unanimously preferred ideas that improved the quality of public spaces through minor enhancements rather than relying on major changes. This was described as the ‘three Ms’ – ‘many minor moves’. The Jury also supported entries that extended and enhanced the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery as a focus of cultural activity on the waterfront, and were adamant that the waterfront must remain a place accessible to all people regardless of income or background. High-scoring entries contained ideas to:
- improve the balance towards people away from cars;
- increase activity in and around City Hall;
- recognise and retain the unpretentious local character of the waterfront; and
- maintain maritime activity, especially fishing.
About the Winners
Preston Lane Architects with James Whitten Architect, Hobart, Australia
Nathanael Preston, 31, and Daniel Lane, 31, former classmates in environmental design at the University of Tasmania, formed Preston Lane Architects in 2004 with offices in two states - Nathanael in Melbourne and Daniel in Hobart. For the competition they joined forces with James Whitten, 30, of Melbourne, to propose a series of stepping stones and courtyard spaces that guide people to Franklin Wharf, which is transformed into a spacious urban plaza.
“Our entry took hundreds of hours,” Preston said. “We nearly gave up a couple of times and in the end we lodged our entry with only one hour to spare. We don’t have surplus staff – the directors had to jump right in and do everything.”
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Top prize: local winners, from left, James Whitten, Nathanael Preston, Phil Ackerly and Daniel Lane. |
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Nathanael Preston faces the media at the announcement of winners. |
Jeppe Aagaard Andersen, Helsingor, Denmark
The Jury was impressed with this leading Danish landscape architect’s proposal, done in conjunction with a team of young landscape architects from Perth, Western Australia, to create a place where people can retreat and feel protected.
Aagaard Andersen visited Hobart last October to walk around the competition area. “It was a fantastic brief – an inspiring challenge involving a city, water and mountain. It cried out to be done,” he said.
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Danish Landscape architect Jeppe Aagaard Andersen (left) celebrates with Western Australian colleagues, Michael Rowlands and Hannah James (top row), and Sarah May and Claire Broun (seated from left). |
Tony Caro Architecture, Sydney, Australia
Leading Sydney urban designer Tony Caro proposes a series of subtle features to reinforce Constitution Dock’s festive recreational character, including an art gallery, sculpture court and a ‘pleasure spine’ between Salamanca Place and Hunter Street.
“As a small design practice, we are very selective of the competitions we enter but we felt this was special from day one. Because my wife’s parents live in Huonville, I had the opportunity to visit the area many times and this was crucial to understanding what is right for Sullivans Cove,” Caro said.
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Good times: Tony Caro, of Sydney, whose design features a 'pleasure spine' running from Salamanca Place to Hunter Street. |
See What They Want to Do to Our Waterfront
Entries in the Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition are on exhibition at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery until 18 February. They can also be viewed at www.hwidc.tas.gov.au
To coincide with the exhibition of entries, the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority is hosting a public forum as part of our Conversations in the Cove series.
In See What They Want to Do to Our Waterfront, we take a close look at the best ideas from the Hobart Waterfront International Design Competition through the eyes of leading local thinkers and professionals.
Leading the discussion will be guest speakers from the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, Australian Institute of Landscape Architects and the Planning Institute of Australia. The event will be moderated by Tim Cox, from ABC Radio.
Start time is 6pm on Tuesday 6 February 2007 at Dechaineux Theatre, Tasmanian School of Art, Hunter Street, Hobart. To RSVP, please phone 6216 4288 or email to info@waterfront.tas.gov.au
All welcome – entry is free.
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