News Release
Thursday 19 April 2013

Winning ‘Woodfirst’ seating design to be announced tomorrow

ROTORUA 19.04.13: Rotorua District Council (RDC) will announce the winner of its Woodfirst Product Design competition at a presentation at the council Civic Centre tomorrow [19 April].

Tutanekai Street is being developed as the ‘spine’ of the CBD from Rotorua Central to the Lakefront, as part of council’s Urban Design Framework for revitalising the central city area.

As part of this strategy RDC is planning to improve Tutanekai Street intersections with easier crossings, pocket parks, landscaping and locally designed wooden seating.

RDC and Waiariki Institute of Technology launched the Woodfirst Product Design competition in February inviting local secondary schools to design seating to be placed at these intersections in the CBD.

RDC business marketing manager Renee Nathan said 22 students from Rotorua Girls High, Western Heights and Lakes High schools entered the competition.

“We’re really pleased that these students have become involved in this innovative project. Our council is first in New Zealand to lead with a ‘wood first’ programme, promoting the use of wood as the first choice of material for its construction and interior design developments.

“The students have provided great concepts for wooden seating for the CBD and we’re looking forward to taking the winning design to the next level.”

The winning designer will receive an iPad Mini, courtesy of Waiariki Institute of Technology, and will have the opportunity to work with RDC and competition partners to take their concept through detailed design development and construction.

The Woodfirst Product Design competition is also supported by Darryl Church Architecture, Fel Group, Hume Pine, Scion, Verda, PF Olsen, and Lockwood.

ENDS

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