First among equals

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Andrew Sexton Architecture won first equal in the Mix It Up competition for this design concept.

Andrew Sexton Architecture won first equal in the Mix It Up competition for this design concept. Image: Andrew Sexton Architecture

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Andrew Sexton Architecture's outdoor cafe is included in a re-imagining of the iconic Christchurch Repertory Theatre.

Andrew Sexton Architecture’s outdoor cafe is included in a re-imagining of the iconic Christchurch Repertory Theatre. Image: Andrew Sexton Architecture

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A building façade, as seen from Kilmore Street, by Andrew Sexton Architecture.

A building façade, as seen from Kilmore Street, by Andrew Sexton Architecture. Image: Andrew Sexton Architecture

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A view of the Andrew Sexton Architecture-designed entry. Along with winning first equal, it also won the special prize for Timber Use.

A view of the Andrew Sexton Architecture-designed entry. Along with winning first equal, it also won the special prize for Timber Use. Image: Andrew Sexton Architecture

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A bird's eye view of the concept by first-equal winner, Architectus.

A bird’s eye view of the concept by first-equal winner, Architectus. Image: Architectus

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A detail of Architectus' first-equal winning entry. The hand-written notes betray the thoughtfulness that pervades the design.

A detail of Architectus’ first-equal winning entry. The hand-written notes betray the thoughtfulness that pervades the design. Image: Architectus

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This Architectus visualisation gives full meaning to the term 'mixed use'.

This Architectus visualisation gives full meaning to the term ‘mixed use’. Image: Architectus

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The entry by Continuum Architecture & Ken Robinson Architects won awards for Structural Innovation and Provocative Concept.

The entry by Continuum Architecture & Ken Robinson Architects won awards for Structural Innovation and Provocative Concept. Image: Continuum Architecture & Ken Robinson Architects

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The results of the Peterborough Village Mix it Up design competition have been announced and the entries were so good that the top prize has been shared. The inaugural competition required entrants to create a mixed-use design concept for a new development in Peterborough Village, Christchurch, an area that suffered considerable damage during the Canterbury earthquakes. Winning first equal were design team Architectus and Andrew Sexton Architecture.

Wellington-based Andrew Sexton Architecture was acknowledged for its innovative use of construction methods in its entry New ‘Urbanism’ for Christchurch. Its design focussed on the Christchurch Repertory Theatre, including a café and outdoor dining area, and allows for business and residential spaces to be included in the allocated one-block space. (The original Repertory Theatre was built in the 1930’s and experienced severe damage in the February 2011 earthquake, so many of the entrants chose to include a modern version in their concepts.)

Architectus, known for its work at Auckland’s vibrant Wynyard Quarter, also won for A Public Greenway, a proposed design that incorporated a leafy pathway.

At the last minute the judges added a Provocative Concept category to the competition and awarded it to Continuum Architecture & Ken Robinson Architects of Nelson, whose playful design Mix it Up…and Down…and Sideways included colourful pods on stilts. This entry also took the prize for Structural Innovation.

Competition organisers were impressed with the high calibre of entries. “The competition was promoted as a way to spark inspiration for redevelopment of the area,” says Peterborough Village committee member and Landscape Architect Di Lucas. Looks like it’s mission accomplished.


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