Auckland Passenger Transport Network: Design Competition Finalists Announced
06 August 2001

The announcement today of five finalists and two commended entries in the Auckland Regional Council’s Branding and Theming competition brings the region one step closer to defining a united identity across bus, ferry, rail services and stations.

The winning submissions from a total of 32 entries are: Sandersdesign, Alt Design Group, Aviso, Matthews & Matthews Architects, Jasmax Consortium. Given the high calibre of entries, the judges have also issued two commended awards to: City Design and PT Design.

Launched by the Auckland Regional Council in conjunction with all of the local councils of the region, the competition is an integral part of the council’s ongoing plans to improve the quality of Auckland’s public transport system.

Head of Unitec’s School of Architecture and convenor of the competition judging panel, Tony van Raat, commented “we could easily have shortlisted more than five schemes had the rules permitted. The competition required entrants to address complex issues of identity, orientation and sense of place as well as more pragmatic concerns such as cost and maintenance. There is no doubt that the issues raised by these demands will test the best design abilities and we’re confident that the best of the talent revealed in the first stage of the competition will certainly rise to this challenge.”

In evaluating the schemes the judging panel also considered nearly 80 forms of feedback from the general public - submitted at the display stations in the CPO - which demonstrated overall support for the final decision.

“The announcement of the finalists is an important step towards developing a unified brand for the region’s integrated public transport network,” says Auckland Regional Council Transport Committee Chairman Les Paterson. “The involvement of the public throughout the design process is critical in ensuring that the outcome is a reflection of the wider community for today and for the future.”

The five finalists now proceed to stage 2 of the competition in which they are invited to develop their ideas further. A question and answer briefing session between judges and finalists is scheduled for August 16. The eventual roll out of the concepts will be determined in conjunction with the development of the rail corridors and North Shore Busway.

Detailed information about the competition can be found at www.arc.govt.nz/about/transpt/trnspt.htm
All entries can be viewed at the former CPO at the bottom of Queen St in Auckland city.

For further information please call:
Transport Committee Chairman Les Paterson, Ph 366 2000 x 7111
Or Branding and Theming Project Leader, Martin Cahnbley, Ph 373 9835

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