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City of light shines in red zone

Saturday 13 October 2012, 3:08PM

By University of Auckland

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LUXCITY will be constructed for one night transforming Gloucester Street, a recently opened section of the red zone, in Christchurch.
LUXCITY will be constructed for one night transforming Gloucester Street, a recently opened section of the red zone, in Christchurch. Credit: University of Auckland

CHRISTCHURCH

A city made of light will be constructed for one night transforming Gloucester Street, a recently opened section of the red zone, in Christchurch. LUXCITY is the work of over 350 architecture and design students from across New Zealand who will create and construct 16 functional pop up spaces.

Taking place over Labour Weekend on Saturday the 20th of October, LUXCITY is the opening night event for the Festival of Transitional Architecture (FESTA) and has been organised as a collaboration between the School of Architecture and Planning at The University of Auckland, the School of Architectural Studies at CPIT, the School of Architecture and the School of Design at Victoria University, the Architecture Department at Unitec and the Spatial Design Department at Auckland University of Technology.

Using light in conjunction with large-scale demolition machinery, students will create ephemeral structures featuring bars, cafes, live music venues, a theatre and a night market, bringing the heart of the city alive again. The whole of Christchurch have been invited to return to the currently vacant city centre to participate in and enjoy this unique event.

Christchurch-based businesses and organisations are providing the activities and entertainment for LUXCITY. These include hospitality, retail and the arts and culture sectors. Each design studio is partnered with a local ‘client’ which include: Beach Bar, C4, The Darkroom, George Parker (Free Theatre), POD, Volstead, Black Betty’s Café, Cassels and Sons Brewery, The Twisted Hop, Fledge, Infinite Definite, Richard Till, Pure Pulp, Lyttelton Coffee Company, and White Elephant Trust.

“LUXCITY aims to address the potential of transitional projects and stimulate collaboration. It offers the opportunity to explore a range of architectural possibilities, regenerate the central city and ultimately create inspirational design for Christchurch’s burgeoning recovery” says Associate Professor Uwe Rieger, Deputy Head of Architecture at The University of Auckland.