News Release
Tuesday 23 April 2013
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Silver Fern Design A Winner In Woodfirst Competition

ROTORUA 23.04.13: Rotorua Lakes High School student Jake Krebs’ seat design depicting a silver fern was selected as the overall winner of Rotorua District Council’s (RDC) Woodfirst Product Design competition.

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.

Twenty-two students submitted ideas and six finalists were selected. Rotorua Lakes High School students Jake Krebs, Fenella Richards, Matthew Whitby, Tatiana Daniels, Alex Gaunt, and Joel Hickey each received highly commended awards. Fenella also received a special merit award, while Jake won the overall prize.

RDC business marketing manager Renee Nathan said judges engaged with the young designers during an interview session to get an understanding of their design thinking, personality, and areas of passion.

“Judges were specifically looking for a practical, affordable and durable seating design that used wood in a creative and distinct way. The designs were of an exceptional quality and the students demonstrated a sound ability to interpret and fulfill the competition’s criteria.”

Waiariki School of Forestry head of department and judge John Kelly said Jake impressed judges with his simple, yet effective, silver fern representation and his ability to consider his design as part of a broader street composition.

“His flexible concept and passion to see his design through to completion placed him clearly as the winner of our competition,” said Mr Kelly.

Jake was awarded a mini ipad courtesy of Waiariki Institute of Technology and will have the opportunity to work alongside competition partners to take his design from concept stage through to development and installation stage.

RDC economic projects manager Nick Dallimore, who is driving the council’s CBD Revitalisation Strategy – Urban Design Framework, said he is looking forward to working with Jake and all the sponsors make Jake’s concept come to fruition.

“Inviting our youth to be part of key developments within Rotorua has been invaluable and is something that we and other partners will continue to support and encourage.

“The first CBD intersection trial is Pukuatua and Tutanekai St and we should see the new wooden designed seats installed later this year.”

ENDS

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