November 17th, 2011

Competition to generate ideas for Civic Square redevelopment

Hastings District Council will go to design professionals in its search for the innovative ideas for the redevelopment of Civic Square.

Eleven broad themes have been identified for the central city project, which aim to further strengthen the existing services and experiences offered by the Hastings District Library and Hastings City Art Gallery. They also identify the need to enhance the square's open space to make it safe and attractive to the community.

Design professionals from around the country will be offered the chance to enter the "open idea generation competition" which has been used by other organizations to develop useful and original design ideas for a number of projects. Concepts for the development of the Napier waterfront area were sourced through a student competition while some national projects have also used this initiative.

Deputy Mayor Cynthia Bowers says "Placing the themes and overall concept for Civic Square in front of the country's design professionals is an exciting way to raise the profile of the project and generate some unique and pioneering ideas that may not otherwise have been put forward."

Cynthia Bowers says "We are confident that the competition will attract a strong response from designers from throughout the country. Hastings has a number of unique features which could be incorporated into the square and while local designers have a wealth of knowledge about the region, it will be interesting to see what comes from design professionals in other parts of New Zealand."

The designs will be assessed by a panel including District Councillors, nationally recognised design professionals and a mana whenua participant.

"The square will become a place where people can come together as a community and provide space for public activities that will bring great benefit to all residents," Cynthia Bowers says.

The "open idea generation competition" runs from mid November to the end of January 2012, before the assessment panel recommends their top three designs to council. Those designs are likely to be included for consideration as part of council's public consultation on the 2012/22 LTP, beginning in March.

Design professionals can download a copy of the competition brief from: www.hastingscivicsquare.co.nz.

ENDS

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