Inner city living idea wins international award

Saturday 14 October 2006

Chris Tucker from the University of Newcastle is the first Australian to win the Central Glass International Architectural Ideas Competition. He won for his design to build 30 small houses on the outside of the David Jones car parking station in Newcastle.

After being shortlisted for the prestigious award from 450 international entries, Chris presented his idea to a public audience and judging panel in Tokyo.

Chris won $25,000 for his proposal that a three metre wide space above the pedestrian footpath, on the north west and south west sides of the five storey car parking station, could be used for the construction of 30 one and two bedroom houses.

By clinging to the surface of the car parking station, each house would have a car parking space at its front door, while the operational aspects of the car parking station would not change.

The facade of the houses would be built from selected parts of traditional Newcastle houses that are being demolished or are undergoing significant change.

Chris said this would maintain a sense of memory for a city that is losing many of its miners' cottages, and is gaining some large characterless buildings.

"This existing building was ideal because it was a good example of how you could provide housing in the centre of the city, close to public transport and places of work, but essentially use space that has been leftover as the city has grown."

"We should look at the city's centre not just as a place for large new buildings on large sites, but also recognise the potential for the spaces in between and around the buildings that have already been built. Space which could be used for publicly owned or affordable housing."

The Central Glass International Architectural Ideas Competition is supported by the Central Glass company, and the journals A+U (Architecture + Urbanism) and The Japan Architect. Chris's entry will now be published in the journals. It is the 41st year the prize has been awarded.

For media comment, Chris Tucker on 0408 278 587.

Images of Chris's winning entry are available.