17 October 2013

Old motorway becomes “art studio” winner

The NZ Transport Agency congratulates Auckland architects, Matter, for its success after winning an award for an exhibition it designed using a section of disused motorway in the central city.

Matter used the old Nelson Street off-ramp in the middle of the central motorway junction - also known as Spaghetti Junction – as its open-air studio to feature a painted collection of cut-out bicycles made from wood. The display, entitled Land Of The Lost, won one of the Institute of Architect’s Auckland awards for planning and urban design.

“We’re delighted that Matter has been recognised for the colourful and imaginative way it was able to use our old section of asphalt,” says the Transport Agency’s State Highway Manager, Tommy Parker. “The old off-ramp was a temporary studio, but our objective to improve transport connections in the city includes permanent art features as part of our big projects where it is appropriate, like the Grafton Gully cycleway and the Vic Park Tunnel.”

Matter’s award winning display was part of an annual exhibition last March called the Urbis Designday, which included several sites across Auckland.

The Nelson Street off-ramp was closed to traffic eight years ago when the Transport Agency completed a series of improvement to the Central Motorway Junction.

For more information please visit www.nzta.govt.nz

ENDS

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