CRL finalist in prestigious World Architect Festival

We're over the moon to announce that the City Rail Link project been chosen as a finalist in the prestigious World Architecture Festival, to be held in the Netherlands later this year.

The entry was selected from more than 1000 projects from 70 countries and is a finalist in the Future Projects, infrastructure category.

The CRL entry focuses on the concept designs for the two new underground stations to be built in the inner city and the re-development of the existing station at Mount Eden. All three stations will reflect the stories and designs representing the historic and cultural ties Mana Whenua have with Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland) and wider Aotearoa (New Zealand).

 “It’s a very hotly contested international competition and it’s fantastic that the Festival has acknowledged our project’s very important partnership with Mana Whenua,” said CRL Ltd Head of Design, John Fellows.

The design concept draws on the Māori Creation story and captures the emergence of the natural world from Te Kore (the nothingness) to Te Pō (the darkness) to Te Aō Marama (the light). 

“When they are built, all New Zealanders will easily recognise the stories and the designs in the stations as something that is unique and special to our country.”

Eight Auckland-based iwi – Te Ākitai Waiohua, Te Kawerau ā Maki, Ngāti Maru, Ngāti Paoa, Ngāi Tai Ki Tāmaki, Ngāti Tamaoho Trust, Ngāti Te Ata and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei – are closely involved in the design of the stations working with CRL Ltd, its architects Jasmax, and other consultants through the project’s Mana Whenua Forum.

"Our expectation as Iwi Mana Whenua is that our holistic values and principles are reflected and embedded in the designs, and that the unique point of difference we bring to Tāmaki Makaurau is there for all to see and appreciate,” said Adrian Pettit, Kaitiaki for Te Ākitai Waiohua.  

Judging will take place in early December in Amsterdam.

More information about the World Architecture Festival is available at https://www.worldarchitecturefestival.com/2019-shortlist