Date: 26 October 2016

Porirua kiosk scoops three awards

The vibrant kiosk in the city centre’s Cobham Court has hit the trifecta, winning awards for design, use of colour and for its architecture in three separate competitions.

Porirua City Council and the kiosk designer Isthmus Group won gold at the national Best Design Awards for the Cobham Court project in October. Judged by the Designers Institute of New Zealand, these design awards are an annual showcase of excellence in graphic, spatial, product, interactive and motion design. The win, in the Public and Institutional Spaces category, was the latest award for the kiosk.

Earlier this year the kiosk won the Resene Total Colour Landscape Colour Maestro Award. The judges praised the integrated use of colour, and the practicality and durability of the design. They also acknowledged the playful feeling that the kiosk creates. “Cleverly placed pops of bolder colour punctuate what could have easily been a sea of grey concrete, adding a sense of fun, energy and vibrancy welcoming visitors into the CBD."

The kiosk also won the Small Project Architecture Award at the 2016 Wellington Architecture Awards in May. The judges acknowledged the way very different parts of the kiosk worked together side by side and the success of the kiosk’s overall feel. “Through the deployment of simple patterns and bright colour, a subtle Pacifica theme is evoked, especially when shadows from the glass canopy fall across the structure’s timber skin.”

The kiosk houses two small food and drink outlets, which both have great food and friendly staff. Stylish public bathrooms sit on the other side of the kiosk, cleverly screened from the café-style outlets. The removal of the canopies means light and sunshine now floods the area and demolition of the –i-Site building has opened the area up and created easier pathways around the city.

Bryan Patchett, General Manager City Growth and Partnerships said the Council has been active on a number of fronts to make the area more attractive and welcoming. “It’s proving a winner with the public as well. It’s great to see people using the new grassed green space opposite the kiosk, and the different styles of seat nearby,” he said.

“We’re fortunate to have an attractive award winning food kiosk that’s busy and run by friendly, welcoming food vendors offering fresh and delicious food in the city centre.”

The next phase of the city centre revitalisation will begin mid-2017. It includes installing a new children’s play area, along with new shade, shelter and landscaping in Cobham Court and Hartham Place North.

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