Celebrating Innovation and Collaboration at ArchEngBuild 2024

ArchEngBuild 2024 brought together 30 of Aotearoa New Zealand’s top architecture, engineering, and construction students for an intense and inspiring competition held in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Hosted at the University of Canterbury from July 2nd to 4th, this year’s event challenged students to design an affordable and sustainable urban housing development for the heart of Christchurch.

Industry Expertise and Mentorship

The competition featured students from across the country. These students were selected for their exceptional skills and dedication to addressing some of the most pressing challenges in the building industry today. Throughout the three-day event, the students were guided by industry-leading experts from Concrete NZ, BRANZ, MBIE, and the University of Canterbury. The students also visited Tūranga, Christchurch City Library, which served as a source of inspiration for their projects. The collaboration and mentorship provided by these experts were instrumental in helping the students refine their designs and approaches.

A Platform for Innovation and Collaboration

The core of the ArchEngBuild challenge was to create a resilient, affordable, and sustainable housing solution. The students worked tirelessly over 48 hours, displaying remarkable creativity and technical prowess. The competition culminated in a prize-giving evening at the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, where the students showcased their designs to industry professionals, supporters, and sponsors.

Celebrating Excellence

Minister for Building and Construction Hon Chris Penk announced the winners, who impressed the judges with their innovative and well-resolved concepts. The winning team members were:

  • Ella Knapton, architecture student at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington

  • Douglas Goncalves, structural engineering student at the University of Auckland

  • Francis Orendain, construction management student at the Western Institute of Technology at Taranaki

The judges praised the winners for their complex and thoughtful designs, noting their deep understanding of resilience, sustainability, and affordability.

The Future of the Building Industry

Minister Penk emphasised the importance of affordable and resilient housing, highlighting New Zealand’s housing challenges. He expressed optimism about the future, stating, “These students are the future of the industry.”

Claire Falck, CEO of BRANZ, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of collaboration in the building and construction industry. “At BRANZ, we work to encourage collaboration across the building and construction industry to find solutions to challenges around housing. ArchEngBuild gives people the opportunity to work together and understand each other at the beginning of their career and take those skills into the industry,” she said.

Recognising Outstanding Judges and Sponsors

The event was judged by esteemed professionals, including Cass Goodwin, Regional Manager at Batchelar McDougall Consulting Ltd; James Woods, Managing Director at Image Construction & Image Projects; Victoria Threadwell, Senior Building Scientist at MBIE; and Bernadette Muir, NZIA Fellow and Principal Academic Staff Member at Ara Institute of Canterbury.

ArchEngBuild 2024 was proudly sponsored by Concrete NZ, Metals New Zealand, The WIDE Trust, New Zealand Timber Design Society, and Southbase. The event was supported by Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, Te Ao Rangahau Engineering New Zealand, and the New Zealand Institute of Building.

Fostering Innovation and Collaboration

As ArchEngBuild marks its 11th year, it continues to be a vital platform for fostering innovation and collaboration among the next generation of industry leaders. Past participants have described the challenge as one of the most rewarding experiences of their studies, providing them with invaluable insights into working within multidisciplinary teams.

ArchEngBuild 2024 has once again demonstrated the remarkable potential of New Zealand’s future architects, engineers, and construction managers. The WIDE Trust is proud to support this initiative and looks forward to seeing how these talented individuals will shape the future with their innovative solutions and collaborative spirit.

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