Last Thursday night I had the pleasure of acknowledging New Zealand’s top 12 fifth year Architecture Students of 2010. This was the third year of our sponsorship and as each University hosts the event on a 3 year cycle we were off to Wellington to be hosted by Victoria University.

The night was a fantastic night where the work of all 12 students was on display for the students, families and local architects to appreciate while they mingled. The ceremony proper commenced with a book launch for the latest book to be published by the NZ Architectural Publication Trust celebrating Four Architects – Bill Alington, Jim Beard, Bill Toomath and Derek Wilson. Following the book launch, Paul Minifie the guest judge from Australia gave a talk about the intersection between his research and architecture.

After congratulating all 12 of the finalists it came down to the announcement of the 2 highly commended awards, with each student receiving a travel prize to Sydney:

Rowan Baird of Auckland University

Joseph Shepherd of Victoria University

This then left the announcement of the grand prize – which along with a travel prize to Sydney also included $5,000 and the title of NZIA GRAPHISOFT Student Design Award Winner 2010 :

Fraser Moore of Auckland University

The Awards ceremony followed two days of grueling presentations for each of the 12 students where they get to present their work to the three judges and then get bombarded with questions.