Summer in the Studio

31 January 2013

Summer in the Studio

Architectural studies students from four New Zealand institutes will conclude an intensive summer school this Friday [1 February] when they present their design ideas for the proposed green frame as outlined on the Christchurch Central Development Unit blueprint.

Based at CPIT’s School of Architectural Studies, the 65 students from CPIT, the University of Auckland, Unitec and Victoria University have worked together in groups since 7 January to develop their responses and ideas as part of a new collaborative unit called Studio Christchurch.

The final presentation will take place at the Christchurch City Council (CCC) foyer from 10am to 4pm.

David Sheppard, NZ Institute of Architects president and a principal at Sheppard and Rout, said the project addressed a gap in critical thinking in Christchurch. “What’s happening here is a catalyst for ideas. What we’re currently missing and lacking is academic student exploration of designs.”

The project, which grew from the Christchurch Festival of Transitional Architecture’s opening night of LUXCITY, is the first of its kind in New Zealand.

As part of Studio Christchurch, students attended a series of presentations by visiting architecture experts including a talk about the future plans for the city by Hugh Nicholson, CCC Principal Urban Designer.

Nicholson spoke about the interesting transitional phase the city is currently in. “We need the temporary and permanent. We have to embrace the people who want to do something now, but also have a long-term view,” he said.

The students’ work will be collated in Auckland and later presented in Christchurch in a book or exhibition format.

Studio Christchurch allows participating students to gain credits towards their qualifications and is designed to share ideas through collaboration while enabling students to play a role in shaping the rebuild.

The students’ work will be available on the Studio Christchurch website to encourage public discussion about resulting concepts and the blueprint in general.

Studio Christchurch Summer School: Final Presentation schedule

Date: Friday 1.Feb 2012
Location: Christchurch City Council, Foyer, 53 Hereford St, Christchurch

ENDS

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