Ara graduates take top honours in Ōtautahi Christchurch architecture competition

Three Ara Institute of Canterbury Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) graduates have taken top honours in a design competition to create a teaching pavilion for the Climate Action Campus Ōtautahi (CAC).

Lana Bonnett of Intrados Architecture and Rosa Hill of Nott Architects won first place in the Emerge Teaching Pavilion Design Competition, run by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Canterbury's Emerge group. Fellow BAS alumna Niña Gabieta and her collaborator Kristina Orr finished as first runners-up and Tim Ward as second runner-up.

Their winning design proposes a modest timber pavilion grounded in te ao Māori, positioned within the Ōtākaro Avon River wetlands landscape of the CAC campus.

_{Left to right, Rosa Hill, Lana Bonnett, Rachel Cummins (CAC Learning Advisor) and Bernadette Muir (NZIA Fellow and Ara tutor)}

A floating roof finished in deep kōkōwai red provides a welcoming presence across the site, the colour chosen for its resonance as a symbol of life, land and protection. Beneath it, a modular, exposed timber frame is designed to be buildable and didactic, reflecting the pavilion's purpose as a place of hands-on learning.

Integrated planting, rainwater collection and moveable furniture elements complete a design the jury described as "modest in scale yet strong in identity and intent."

“We were interested in designing a space that encompasses the core ideas of community, identity and interaction,” said Bonnett and Hill.

“It was important to us that the pavilion would sit within the existing landscape in a complementary manner while creating an inviting space for collaborative learning,”

“It is a pleasure to know that we have designed an integral part of the Ōtautahi Climate Action Campus and we hope it will provide a space for learning and play for many years to come. We thoroughly enjoyed the conceptual design process for this project and look forward to seeing the pavilion come to life.” They added.

The competition was judged by NZIA President Huia Reriti, NZIA Fellow and Ara lecturer Bernadette Muir and Rachel Cummins from the Climate Action Campus. Muir said it was a privilege to be part of the judging panel and expressed pride in the standard of entries and the success of Ara alumni.

“The standard of entries was outstanding, and I'm incredibly proud to see Ara graduates not only competing but leading the field,” she said.

“Lana and Rosa's design is thoughtful, buildable and culturally-grounded - exactly the kind of work we hope our ākonga (students) go on to produce.”

The competition was instigated and delivered by Ara BAS alumni Josh Nikora and Rory Murdoch, both members of the NZIA Canterbury Committee, with input from Ara BAS alumna Elizabeth Guthrey. It is proposed as an annual event, with future pavilions to be realised through industry sponsorship.

Vanessa Gooch, Manager of Ara's Bachelor of Architectural Studies, says strengthening connections with alumni is a key focus for the Faculty this year.

"Results like this remind us why that matters," she emphasised.

Ara's Architecture programmes prepare students for professional practice in architecture and the built environment. The Diploma in Architectural Technology starts in July - enrol today.