Bold visions have seen two Otago Polytechnic architecture students make the finals in this year’s prestigious Australasian Dulux Colour Awards in Sydney.
Master of architecture (professional) students Hudson Ross, 22, and Ryno von Wielligh, 23, will represent New Zealand with their architecture projects, which feature innovative, original and ambitious use of colour in the built environment.
It is the second time Mr Ross has been a finalist in the awards — this time with his outdoor project, Hot & Cold.
The design included a four-day walking trail across Dunedin, from Smaill’s Beach to the Bull Ring, which incorporated nursuries, boardwalks and coloured modular huts with tools, which encouraged walkers to regenerate the landscape by teaching them how to plant native trees, set pest traps and actively restore local ecosystems, he said.
Mr von Wielligh’s project, The Lighthouse Entertainment Precinct, proposed a series of major redevelopments, aimed at bringing life to a section of North Dunedin through day and night activity zones.
His master plan spanned performance and study spaces, hospitality venues, and a multi-use indoor skatepark and nightclub, all of which would be located in Parry St.
The Otago Polytechnic duo were among more than 540 entrants in the awards, and are among three New Zealand student finalists in the competition.
A Dulux Colour Awards spokesman said their projects were a significant achievement, and a testament to the strength of talent coming through Otago’s architecture programme.
Polytechnic School of Architecture head Associate Prof Tobias Danielmeier said it was a highly competitive field and he was delighted to see the pair recognised among the most exciting emerging design talent in the country.
‘‘This is a wonderful achievement for both our ākonga and the school.’’
The award winners will be announced at the Sydney Opera House on May 27.
