Christchurch design scholarships to be judged by top Canterbury design trio

The best urban design ideas in a competition for rebuilding quake-affected Christchurch will be judged by David Sheppard, President Elect of the Institute of Architects, and design experts David Lovegrove and Jacky Bowring.

The British Council Christchurch Scholarships, in partnership with Massey University, challenges current students and graduates to submit concepts to support Christchurch’s redesign.  Two travel scholarships worth $6000 will be offered to the designers offering the best solutions in the fields of architecture, spatial, industrial and transport design, as well as planning, engineering and landscape architecture

Since last year’s major quake on February 22, the three Christchurch-based judges, have each contributed their time and strategies for Christchurch's inner city reconstruction.

Mr Sheppard, a key advisor in a 30-strong group of architects that made up the city’s Earthquake Response Committee, believes much good is emerging from the earthquake’s dust and devastation. “As the aftershocks subside, our optimism is galvanised by the innovative design ideas that are shaping the future of Christchurch. By drawing on the vision of New Zealand’s emerging designers, we can make positive change for the people of Christchurch - ensuring a more resilient and vibrant landscape - but also allowing our future design leaders an opportunity to create a dynamic and sustainable city that they will ultimately live and work,” Mr Sheppard says.

Mr Sheppard will be joined by fellow Cantabrian judges, industrial designer and owner of design company 4ormfunction, David Lovegrove, and Dr Jacky Bowring, Associate Professor and Head of the School of Landscape Architecture at Lincoln University, Christchurch.  Ms Bowring is a member of the winning team in last year’s 48 Hour Design Challenge for the Christchurch Rebuild.

As part of their travel scholarships, the two design students or recent graduates with the best concepts will visit some of Britain's top university design faculties, and meet with experts in their chosen field who may help with shaping their design ideas.

Ingrid Leary, British Council Director, says the winners would take on their scholarships knowing that their study in Britain would have a real and direct impact on the recreation of Christchurch, making their overseas experience all the more significant. “Each scholarship will be awarded for designing a vibrant and resilient society with return airfares and accommodation for ten working days,” Ms Leary says.

Head of Massey's Institute of Design for Industry and the Environment Rodney Adank says he is delighted to have judges of such high calibre. "To receive this scholarship will be a real feather in the cap for any emerging designer. I really encourage students and graduates to get their first stage submissions underway. It's a chance to use your talents to make a real difference for the future of Christchurch – and New Zealand. That's no exaggeration – design shapes the way economies and societies function, and design that works will get picked up and repeated in other cities."

Scholarship applications and design concepts are open until 6 July and entrants can seek information from www.christchurchscholarships.massey.ac.nz

The two scholarship recipients will be announced in August at the Australasian Natural Hazards Management Conference held in Christchurch.