Advisory Services - Influencing Opportunities
Transit Infrastructure celebrating Identity and Place
Gateway to Christchurch International Airport.
Location
SH1/Russley Road Interchange, Christchurch.
Completion Year
2010
Client
New Zealand Transit Agency (NZTA), Christchurch International Airport Ltd (CIAL), Christchurch City Council (CCC).
During the early visioning stage of upgrading SH1 and the entrance to Christchurch International Airport, Kim Goodfellow instigated an ideas forum with Client partners to highlight the opportunity available to create iconic infrastructure that would celebrate Christchurch’s identity, establish a gateway to Christchurch International Airport, while achieving the transport-related goals and objectives. This area of Christchurch has always been a place people passed through – whether starting their OE, going to serve their country or travelling to Puari Pā on the banks of the Ōtākaro (Avon River) to gather kai. The forum explored the opportunity further to draw upon the unique airport location, and its role in transport and aviation and the initial project scope was expanded to to recognise the unique arrival and departure experience from the city of Christchurch.
An urban design competition followed to develop the design concept for the bridge and grade-separated interchange. Kim Goodfellow was NZTA’s urban design advisor for the design competition process and worked alongside partners CCC and CIAL.
The winning submission by Warren and Mahoney was inspired by the vertical power of the Southern Alps and the curves of the braided rivers unique to the Canterbury Plains. Inspiration also came from the speed and adventure of travel. The two arches symbolise meetings and travels, they are about the coming together of cultures. Gaining consensus on the objectives from all partners based on urban design outcomes was a major achievement that has produced a stunning gateway element for Christchurch City and the airport and the enjoyment for future generations.
"Kim was a key member of the NZ Transport Agency project team which developed the process and completed the technical assessment of the bridge design concepts. Kim's experience and technical input were invaluable in achieving the positive outcome through the design competition process."
- Richard Shaw, NZ Transport Agency Project Manager for the Russley (SH1) / Memorial Interchange Investigation Project.