The controversial Queens Wharf redevelopment competition has again caused outrage among the architecture community in Auckland, with news that the development has been benched.
Auckland mayor John Banks announced yesterday that Auckland council will "take time to have a cup of tea" and decide what to do next with the project.
"One of the options could be to do next to nothing," Banks told media.
Banks said he was concerned the city would inherit another mediocre development if the Queens Wharf upgrade proceeded.
It is understood that the overwhelming public and expert opposition to the design competition to redevelop Queens Wharf, caused the council to put the project on hold.
"The citizens of Auckland didn't want us to compromise the magnificence of our waterfront," he added.
More than 200 design submission were made to the competition for the project worth an estimated NZ$56 million (AUD$44.4m), with five finalist selected as the cream of the crop.
Patrick Clifford from Architectus, which was part of a team submission for the competition, said he did not wish to comment on the developments until they are sure of what is happening.
“The media says it’s been cancelled, but we only know it has been postponed. We won’t comment until we know exactly what is happening.”
Finalist Williams Architects designer, Simon Williams, told one media outlet that his firm put the equivalent of $100,000 in to their design. “That’s what it would have cost if we were charging our normal rates,” Williams said.
“All the entrants have met their obligations and I think the sponsors should do the same,” Williams said.
Judging panel members Auckland Regional Council chairman, Mike Lee, previously described the designs as “lackluster”.
None of the finalist addressed the issue of operating two cruise ships across the wharf (part of the brief), while only one seriously addresses the issue of shelter for the 20,000 anticipated cup revellers.
A number of architects complained that the brief was “vague” on architecture requirements, and heavy on urban design requirements.
Mike Austin, professor of Architecture at Auckland's Unitec, criticised the finalist chosen for not having a ceremonial entry space from the sea. The exclusion of Maoris from the judging panel also incensed Naida Glavish, chair of a group representing indigenous New Zealanders called Ngati Whatua.
