Category: 2015_Challenge_Shortlist

1976
On track to greener materials
A prominent railway history establishing in 1880 and spanning to 1976. With only four years short of a centaury of operation, the railway is an iconic part of Methven’s history. A cornerstone in building the town and a part of its heritage that’s not easy forgotten
Situated on the Canterbury plains at the base of the Southern Alps, Methven has a remarkable landscape. Luscious green fields surround the township with the snowy mountain range establishing their presence to the west. A fantastic example of rural New Zealand, showing off gorgeous scenery that our country has become celebrated for.
A green, sustainable transportation hub for the town of Methven. Mimicking the habitat, 1976 does justice to the landscape by blending into the surrounding context. Acknowledging the townships vibrant locomotive history and utilising recycled materials creating a nostalgic emotional connection to the yesteryear of Methven. Recycled railway sleepers, and tracks, untreated Douglas Fir logs, and Locally quarried stone make up the construction materials for the scheme. All materials are sourced locally with minimal embedded energy.

Lashed Earth is a shelter designed using natural and recycled materials from around the local region. Its purpose being able to shelter tourists or members of the community waiting for the bus not only during the winter from the cold whether like the rain, snow or the strong winds and also act as a shelter during the summer from the heat, the sun as it has functions in the design that can act as shelter. Its been designed to be strong enough to hold up during natural events such as earth quakes with its support structure inside which acts as a secondary support for the shelter but also something that is quite unique and quite monumental for tourists / visitors to look at with its unique way of holding it up with traditional lashing methods that in some peoples eyes act as a type of art work in a way. The name of the shelter comes from the way the shelter is constructed. Lashed Earth is a simple designed shelter with multiple purposes but the main one being able to shelter people from the cold weather or the hot weather.

We chose the name Euclidean as it defines the general feeling that the concept of space is ultimately a mathematical one. The Euclidean has been designed to create a space habitable for all demographics and their needs as well as promoting a social environment with the interior curves to create comfort while waiting for the bus. These curves purposefully juxtapose the perpendicular exterior structure to create a new ambiance as you enter the shelter. We create elements which do not look foreign to the space; All seating areas are built into the walls. Columns are used to create a threshold are exposed beams allowing the patrons to view their ski gear from the seating area. In summer, the space is owned up by the large window on the roadside. The seating along the window also acts as an exterior bench, allowing you to view the grand surrounds of Methven.

This Shelter is designed with simplicity and function in mind with a minimal material palate of rammed earth and reclaimed timber the embodied energy is kept to a minimum. The delicate roof was designed to float in between the vertical monolithic walls, this allows for radiant heating. A small separation from the horizontal bench mass and the vertical walls creates a dynamic space connecting the two seating areas with light and sound. Dubbed “ground Up” due to the process of using the earth below to create a structure.

Host Ship is situated in front of the Methven Resort and across the road from Mount Hutt College. Three structures are arranged along the site. The shelters are made of locally-sourced materials: cob, corrugated iron roofing, straw, recycled steel and timber. A wall made of earth and straw is used to support the angular roofs which connect to a down pipe. Snowsport gear can be placed into a timber frame that is attached to one of the structures. The most northern shelter is to be built by the high school students at Mt. Hutt College. This will allow students to make their own space where they can organise events or just hang out after school. During the quiet times of the year, the space could be used as meeting point for tourism or a performance space, thus making this a flexible space for the local community.

Methven Mountain Shelter is a unique semi-enclosed bus shelter that caters to travelers and to the community all year round. It acts as a shelter during the winter, a communal gathering point during summer and a historical information centre throughout the year.
The main aspect of its design is to reflect the environment surrounding the site. Consequently altering the buildings shape best suited for view of Mt Hutt, Vision for approaching buses and the weathering. The design is to be rustic, using mixture of recycled and sustainable materials. Its façade shape is to reflect the mountain ranges and Mt Hutt.
Materials included are weather boards from the Christchurch earthquake in original context as the facade to enforce historical importance of the Canterbury region. The remaining structure is made from straw bale (Non-load bearing) and timber from Douglas-fir (Load bearing) to support the recycled roofing.
This design is copyrighted by the authors under the CC-Attribution License

Earth Circle
Earth Circle is situated in front of Methven Resort and across the road from Mount Hutt College. Three structures are arranged in a circle, forming an open space in the centre.
The structures are made of locally-sourced materials: rocks, earth, straw, recycled timber and recycled polycarbonate sheet. Gabion blocks (wire mesh filled with rocks) form double-levelled bench seating. A cob wall (made of earth and straw) behind the benches is framed by two recycled timber posts, which support a light roof of polycarbonate and timber. Skiis and snowboards can be slotted into a timber frame that is attached to one of the structures.
The structures are simple and easy to build. This allows for the Methven community’s involvement in the construction and maintenance of the structures, making the project more broadly sustainable (not just in terms of its materiality).
The open, communal space is suitable for use throughout the year, while it is not occupied by seasonal visitors, as a market or performance space.

This unique and dynamic bus shelter crafted using carefully selected hearty South Island materials creates a safe haven from the Methven environment throughout the seasons. The positioning of the Shelter allows for easy circulation between the resort car park and the footpath. “Sticks & Stones” originates from the shelters solid stone central wall with protruding wooden logs which offer a number of waiting areas and gear storage benches. “Sticks & Stones” is an ideal Bus stop in winter and a playful and calming picnic and family area outside the resort in summer.