School entranceway wins global award

An architectural project focusing on the promotion of healthy and sustainable eating has won an international awar

Melanie Pau, Yusef Patel, and Stefan Panovski from The University of Auckland were awarded a 2013 Bentley Student Design Award for their Entranceway Project at Onehunga Primary School. It is the first time the prestigious global prize as been won by New Zealanders.

The structure incorporates edible plants and information displays, with the idea that children, waiting parents and even passers-by can learn about how to grow food.

The structure was built mostly with volunteer labour, including parents and a team of fourth-year architecture students completing a Timber Technology course.

“The project was an extraordinary achievement, demonstrating how the energy and creative thinking of our students can benefit the community. This award demonstrates that these students are up with the best in the world”, says Professor Andrew Barrie, from the School of Architecture and Planning at The University of Auckland.

A second stage of the project at Onehunga Primary School will be completed later this year, it will feature two shelters where parents and children can wait.