New competition for landscape architects

By Kathleen Kinney

Since 2015 the Brick Bay Folly Competition has encouraged architects and architectural students to stretch their imaginations and design a folly - “a whimsical or extravagant structure”.

This year, a new competition puts the focus on utility along with creativity. The Nohonga Design Challenge is a joint initiative between Brick Bay Sculpture Trust and the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects Tuia Pito Ora. 

Credit: Phantom Fleet Vessel, 2017 by Virginia King

It’s been inspired by the City Benches Competition, which debuted at the London Festival of Architecture 2018, and continues to be part of that event. Nohonga means ‘seat or position’ in te reo Māori.

“The Brick Bay Folly is a much-anticipated event, and this expands on that idea,” says Richard Didsbury, owner and director. “We want Auckland to be a great, liveable city that embraces creativity. The Nohonga Design Challenge is intended to stimulate conversation and ideas, and invite people to re-think what’s possible within the public realm.”

“As designers of the public realm, landscape architects often create bespoke seating and furniture in response to the needs of people and place,” says Rachel de Lambert, fellow of the NZILA. “We hope the Nohonga Design Challenge brings forth a range of imaginative and creative responses to a deceptively simple instruction: make a place for people to sit.”

Entries must be submitted by Friday 15 May. The judging panel will select up to five entries to progress to construction. Find full guidelines and how to submit your project here.