zaha hadid architects on shortlist to build landmark tower in new zealand

five architecture firms have presented proposals for a landmark tower that would be built in the new zealand city of auckland. the brief called for a mixed-use hotel/residential high-rise to be sited in close proximity to the city’s famed ‘sky tower’. the practices competing to win the competition include, in alphabetical order: cox architecture, elenberg fraser, warren and mahoney, woods bagot, and zaha hadid architects. see each of the proposed schemes below.

elenberg fraser’s proposal offers unobstructed views of the surrounding landscape (also main image)

offering a return to a more visceral relationship with auckland’s natural landscape, elenberg fraser’s design steams like a volcano. meanwhile, the form of the tower is driven by the desire for each room to have a huge curved glass bay window so that occupants can directly view the site’s urban geography. ‘the world looks to new zealand for its freedom, ingenuity and independence of thought,’ says callum fraser of elenberg fraser. ‘the spotlight on auckland is to see what that means for the physical construction of the city which is only a by-product of that culture.’ read more about the project on designboom here.

zaha hadid architects has proposed to integrate a vertical ‘sky garden’

zaha hadid architects’ design uses a sky garden to bring the city’s streetscape into the heart of the tower. ‘auckland’s ambition and vision for the future must cater for everyone in the city, and in that respect mixed-use projects and plenty of publicly accessible spaces will be the most successful,’ says michele pasca di magliano, associate director at zaha hadid architects.

cox architecture has proposed a slender tower which comprises greenery at its base

phil rowe, director at cox architecture, says the challenge posed by ICD’s auckland project was to address how architects and designers can improve and inspire the future of auckland. ‘it has to be done in a very auckland way rather than importing what is perceived by fashion to be ‘best practice’. the building will be a visual icon for what auckland can and will look like in the future,’ rowe says.

woods bagot’s design seeks to transform its urban environment

woods bagot’s proposed design draws from the geology of the region as well as the local flora and fauna to create an enduring outcome that seamlessly complements the unique character of the city. pete miglis, principal at woods bagot, says the project will transform its surrounds, especially at street level with a focus on giving the streets back to the people. ‘it will also enhance the city’s skyline and importantly it’s all about a building that will reinforce auckland as a global city,’ miglis explains. read more about the project on designboom here.

warren and mahoney’s design references traditional māori clothing

warren and mahoney’s entry is inspired by a korowai, a type of traditional māori cloak. the building’s cascading façade refers to the connection with its inner-city location, the wider city, and its people and visitors. ‘at present auckland does not have a mixed-use hotel and residential building that has these qualities,’ says warren and mahoney principal, andrew barclay. ‘the project is located in one of auckland’s most exciting locations, so it has a responsibility to contribute to auckland’s increasingly vibrant inner-city life, both during the day and by night.’

the winning design will be announced in october 2018 by ICD property, the melbourne-based property development company who will realize the selected scheme. read more about the development here.