Wellington International Airport is looking for some new terminal buildings [apparantly to add to, not neccesarily to replace, existing buildings, although this is a little unclear at this stage]. What is clear however, is that the design was always going to be provocative and a little controversial.
Lead architect and project spokesman Nick Barratt-Boyes, speaking for the designers Studio Pacific Architecture and Warren and Mahoney, has jumped to the defence of the new buildings. Here's a link to one of the Dominion Post articles on this topic:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominionpost/4407367a6479.html
Assuming that the DomPost page is still up, you'll note a couple of things from the "artists impression". Firstly, the colour is aweful. According to the various articles out there, the colour should fade a bit over time, and I guess this means that it won't be quite as obnoxious.
Secondly [for those of your outside of Wellington], Singapore Airlines does not fly in to Wellington, and my guess is that they probably never will. Hopeful perhaps, or maybe the artist is based in Auckland? :-)
The new design has been variously described as "New Zealand's newest iconic building", "a shining star for our city's future", "attention-seeking and out of place", "confused and ugly" and "a 'lumpy' mix of The Flintstones and The Lord of the Rings".
Possibly my favourite comment is attributed to MP Peter Dunne who said: "If Wellingtonians got offended by other New Zealanders describing the stadium as a cake tin, they'll be even less impressed by the nicknames that are already floating around for the new terminal, which seem to focus largely on bovine residue."
My biggest concern is that within 5 years of being built, this design will appear somewhat dated and irrelevant to the majority of visitors [and locals].
My feeling is that there will be a bit of thinking going between the airport company and the architects to decide whether this should go ahead, and if so, are there are things that can be done to tone it down a little. I guess we'll see.
Well done for not putting the picture on your blog!
ReplyDeleteIn addition to Singapore Airlines not flying to Wellington, it depicts a 777 which I believe can only operate into Wellington under special conditions (such as when the queen visited).
It also shows Air New Zealand operating an apparently fictional 737 model (look at the engine nacelles) with winglets which implies they're going to upgrade the fleet in time for the terminal - highly unlikely as they will have to wait for the end of the NG line to purchase (as usual).
Yeah - someone else can "own" the picture. Hey - you never know - it might turn out "ok". I guess we'll see soon!
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