Auckland Council’s plan to establish a commemorative and contemplative civic memorial in Auckland Domain on the centenary of World War One has taken a step forward with the announcement today of five consortiums invited to produce design options.
The five teams were selected based on their ability to create an enduring civic asset within the unique environment of the Domain. They were required to demonstrate that they had proven and recognised local or international experience, innovation and design excellence, in-depth local knowledge, and commitment to outstanding outcomes.
“The vision for this memorial is that it be a feature about the effects of conflict on the wider community, not solely on military service,” says Auckland Mayor Len Brown. “It’s important the memorial relates particularly to Auckland and all of the city’s people.”
Councillor Mike Lee, chair of the memorial working party, says, “The proposed centenary memorial is to honour not just the fallen and those soldiers who did return but also their families and all those generations of Aucklanders personally affected by the consequences of the Great War—and all wars.”
“Within the guidelines set out in the brief, the final design and aesthetic details have been left with room for some creativity. Albeit we are requiring, as the people of Auckland would expect, that the proposed memorial must respect, harmonise with and complement the Auckland War Memorial Museum building and Cenotaph.”
“This proposed pedestrian way and entrance feature would enable both casual and formal ceremonial access to and from the Museum and Court of Honour on the axis of the Museum across the northern slopes to an entrance feature on Domain Drive.”
The consortiums selected are a mix of local and international firms, including one from Sydney and one from San Francisco. The successful teams are made up of a mixture of architects, landscape architects, artists, historians, visitor experience experts, archaeologists, planners, quantity surveyors and specialist engineers.
The teams are:
• Auckland environmental planning and design consultancy Boffa Miskell, in association with Auckland artist Lisa Reihana and Matthews and Matthews Architects
• Australian architects Francis-Jones Morehen Thorp (fjmt), in conjunction with Auckland architects Jasmax and designTRIBE
• Auckland architecture firm Isthmus, in conjunction with Auckland artist Bernard Makoare and Christchurch landscape architect Jacky Browning
• New Zealand architects Warren and Mahoney, in conjunction with San Francisco landscape architects Surfacedesign Inc, Rotorua artist Henriata Nicholas, Auckland artist Lisa Reihana, and Auckland-based museum and gallery consultancy ObjectLab
• New Zealand firm Wraight Athfield Landscape + Architecture, in conjunction with Auckland artist Ross Hemera
A total of 88 companies or individuals viewed the Expressions of Interest documents and 14 submissions were received.