2012-04-20 16:20:22 // Josh Martin
// The Idealog Blog
An app that tracks aftershocks in Canterbury has taken off with users, surprising even its developers.
2012-04-18 10:45:27 // Idealog
A new business unit focusing on the rebuild of Christchurch's CBD has been set up within the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority to deliver on the central city plan.
2012-04-09 16:21:57 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Care about the creative future of Christchurch?
Then you might be interested in a free public upcoming event, The River of Arts: creating new ways for the arts to work in Christchurch’s public spaces.
2012-04-04 14:08:44 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
More than $370,000 of grants were given to Christchurch projects by InternetNZ in its latest Christchurch funding tound.
2012-04-03 11:32:14 // Esther Goh
A building of epic proportions is now underway at Christchurch's high-tech business hub, which will get $1.8 million of government funding over the next three years.
2012-03-02 16:10:57 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Christchurch's iconic Cathedral has been deemed beyond repair and will be taken down to a level of 2-3 metres.
2012-02-28 12:22:33 // Esther Goh
Getting Cantabrians to rediscover their city and kickstart business growth is all part of a new marketing push launched this week.
2012-02-17 16:01:31 // Idealog
// The Idealog Blog
Here at Tangible Media we're pledging 5 percent from sales of all magazine subscriptions ordered through our website on Wednesday February 22 to Christchurch.
2012-02-08 09:51:52 // Design Daily Team
| 2 comments
The Property Council has called Christchurch's draft central city plan overly restrictive and slammed it for favouring sustainability over economic viability.
2012-02-07 14:28:28 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
UK-based designer Peter Godkin is out to create a series of posters to raise international awareness about Christchurch's ongoing struggle.
2012-01-11 14:13:53 // Siobhan Leathley
Christchurch may not be able to catch a break of late, but there's a new, if small, Red Cross grant to help earthquake-affected businesses get back on their feet.
2011-11-25 11:16:06 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Christchurch City Council's Share an Idea campaign has been recognised internationally, prompting judges of the Co-Creation Award to look outside Europe for the first time.
2011-11-02 12:13:03 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
If you’re an architect, designer, or engineer with some forward-thinking urban design nous on how best to re-build Christchurch, the British High Commission wants to hear from you. It’s launched two travel scholarships to the United Kingdom, giving you the opportunity to meet with leaders of Britain’s urban design community. Designers offering the best solutions in the fields of spatial, industrial and transport design, and architecture will snaffle the scholarships, valued at $6000 a piece.
2011-10-12 13:16:28
// The Idealog Blog
| 4 comments
When it comes to the latest fundraising initiative for Christchurch, it’s a case of both what you know and who you know. Pixels for Christchurch launched last night at the Yoobee flagship store in Auckland’s Britomart. It involved turning artist Shane Hansen’s artwork ‘Arohanui Otautahi’ into 100,000 pixels that the public can purchase, raising $100,000 for Christchurch in the process. So far over 10,000 pixels have been sold and it all started with a spark of an idea from Shortland Street star Kiel McNaughton.
2011-10-03 14:42:47 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
Architects, engineers, designers and artists have put their creative prowess to good social use as part of a unique, modular and very portable initiative designed to create a home for Christchurch artists displaced after the closure of the CBD and High Street precincts in February.
2011-09-14 12:44:24 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
The council has spoken up to assure Christchurch residents the Bridge of Remembrance will be preserved after it sustained heavy damage in the recent earthquakes. The Christchurch Returned and Services' Association, however, has expressed disappointment that a temporary steel structure won’t be put in place to allow pedestrians to walk over the bridge in time for Christchurch’s NZ Cup & Show Week in October.
2011-08-05 15:41:41 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
There’s a heap of miniature doses of creative inspiration coming your way soon if you’re based in Christchurch. PechaKucha Night Christchurch 11 is happening on 17 August offering you the chance to hear 11 fascinating and fresh ideas, stories and creative projects delivered in the unique PechaKucha rapid-fire format.
2011-08-04 10:50:54 // Idealog
Iconic Kiwi company, Christchurch-based Cookie Time Limited, has launched a limited edition version of its original Chocolate Chunk cookie as it throws its weight behind the Love Christchurch Made campaign.
2011-07-29 10:00:32 // Idealog
An IT centre has been given the go-ahead after the Christchurch city council approved a rent-free deal on one of its sites.
2011-07-14 09:28:53 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
As efforts to create a rebuilding plan for Christchurch continue, Lyttelton and Sydenham residents, building and business owners will next week have their chance to offer feedback on the Christchurch City Council Suburban Centres Programme draft Master Plan framework they helped develop for their earthquake-damaged suburban commercial centres.
2011-07-07 09:20:42 // Design Daily Team
| 2 comments
Being allocated only 48 hours in which to redesign a part of Christchurch’s central city may not seem like enough time, but it was enough to earn NZ Wood the title of supreme winner for the 48 Hour Design Challenge.The competition, run by the Christchurch City Council and held at Lincoln University, provided an opportunity for Council to gain inspiration from the design and architecture industry, while testing the draft Central City Plan currently being developed.
2011-07-07 08:51:09 // Vanessa Ellingham
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
An organic leadership structure conducive to students has seen the president of the Student Volunteer Army in Christchurch receive the Sir Peter Blake Special Leadership Award. At only 22, Sam Johnson may be leading an army, but there’s no regimented structure in sight, in a move that has seen the team’s ideas taken to the world, and has certainly pushed the Gen Y stereotype.
2011-06-29 13:14:38 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
How Christchurch can be rebuilt so as to have greater resistance to potential future shocks has been the question on many a mind, and now an information paper just released by the Royal Society of New Zealand (RSNZ) hopes to provide some direction for the city’s design future. But it’s not all about the future. The paper also analyses earthquake damage to buildings in Christchurch from the 4 September earthquake, and its associated aftershocks.
2011-06-28 11:12:01 // Idealog
Christchurch's ongoing earthquakes have had repercussions far beyond the Canterbury area, affecting nearly two-thirds of New Zealand businesses.
2011-06-20 12:32:13 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
It’s better to have ideas than to be without, and idea-generating initiatives for the Christchurch rebuild just keep coming. The latest offering is called the 48 Hour Design Challenge and stems from the Share an Idea initiative. As part of the challenge, 20 teams of seven—including a design student on each team— will be tasked with designing the look, functionality and use of a specific part of the Central City.
2011-06-14 09:59:16 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
Why not? Introducing Magnetic South, an online idea-generating game designed to help people explore the future of Christchurch together. As of next week you have the chance to do your bit by participating in the game, which will run non-stop for a little over 24 hours. And with the spell of aftershocks that shook the area this week, the folks behind the initiative say it’s more important than ever for people to get involved.
2011-06-09 12:34:47 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
‘Before After: Let’s build a better Canterbury’, an exhibition showcasing rebuilding solutions for Christchurch following the September earthquake, had only been open one week when the February quake struck. But as of today, the exhibition, initiated by the Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, is back on track and open once again to the public.
2011-06-07 11:32:01 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Late 19th century Victorian and early 20th century Edwardian buildings are at the heart of Christchurch’s High Street precinct. But preserving that history is another matter all together, and following the series of quakes that have shaken the city, it’s become even more potent. And in recognition of this, last week the High Street Precinct Group was formed. Comprised of a series of property owners, tenants, retailers, and residents, the group is united by a shared vision of strengthening the historic fabric of the city.
2011-06-02 09:54:55 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
We’ve talked about a number of initiatives underway in Christchurch that address the challenge of how to best rebuild Christchurch. And taking heed of what up and coming architecture students in Christchurch have in mind for the rebuild seems like another good idea. Now twelve third year Architectural Design and Technology students from Christchurch’s Design and Arts College of New Zealand's (D&A), who were in some capacity impacted by the February earthquake, will showcase their ideas in an exhibition called Revitalise.
2011-05-24 10:27:12 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
They’ll add anywhere between $2,000 and $9,000 per property to residential building work, but new rules from the Department of Building and Housing will make for stronger building foundations in Canterbury.
2011-05-13 15:40:28 // Matt Monk
// The Idealog Blog
Market research always does its best to enter every facet of our lives, but Christchurch mobile feedback start up company Texsys has taken it to a whole new level, asking Christchurch residents what they think of the recovery effort—while they’re on the dunny.
2011-05-10 13:15:10 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
There’s any number of suggestions on how to best redevelop Christchurch and to help digest and create a dialogue around those ideas, the Chirstchurch City Council has launched an online forum to help give those ideas traction. Called 'Share an Idea', the website enables people to post ideas which will be shared world-wide to stimulate more ideas and ongoing conversations regarding future development of the Central City Plan.
2011-04-12 10:43:58 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
There’s any number of opinions as to why some buildings in Christchurch stood up to the quake while others were decimated. Now in a bid to lay those questions to rest, the terms of reference for the The Royal Commission’s Inquiry into Building Failure caused by Canterbury Earthquakes have been finalised and include an inquiry into the adequacy of current legal and best-practice requirements for the design, construction and maintenance of buildings in central business districts in New Zealand.
2011-04-08 16:03:45 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Cup and Show Week is one of the biggest tickets on the Christchurch events calendar, and it’s hoped an initiative announced by the Central City Property Owners and Business Group, Civil Defence and the Christchurch City Council, will help get the CBD up and running in time for the week long festival of fashion, races, agricultural and entertainment events.
2011-04-04 15:37:40 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
PechaKucha presentations in Enzed are always inspiring, but the upcoming Global PechaKucha Day has an even more unique role for us with PechaKucha Night Christchurch being designated as the launch city for the global event. Called ‘Inspire Christchurch’ the event will kick-start the global event themed around ‘Inspire Japan’, with many of the 400 PechaKucha cities taking part across the world.
2011-04-04 11:40:28 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
The New Zealand Council for Infrastructure Development, The Centre for Advanced Engineering and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors have teamed up to create a proposal for the New Zealand Government. They're asking for the establishment of a Christchurch Reconstruction and Recovery Agency, which would feature a governance body comprised of proven experts from architecture, urban planning, project management, communications, procurement, logistics, and construction. According to Alan McMahon, chair of the RICS New Zealand, other nations that have been impacted by natural disasters who have dedicated agencies have "achieved better outcomes".
2011-03-31 12:27:22 // Kris Herbert
// The Idealog Blog
In this story, featured in Idealog #32, Kris Herbert meets the Cantabrians who are reinventing their city. Although the Idealog issue hit the shelves just as the 6.3 earthquake struck Christchurch, the story provides a valuable insight into the fantastic ideas being generated by various groups in Christchurch, ideas that are now more important than ever.
2011-03-25 14:38:42 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
We’re digging this t-shirt design by Hamilton-based graphic designer and illustrator David Creighton-Pester. Creighton-Pester created the design as part of a competition run by Chicago-based Threadless, a community-centered online apparel store that prints designs created and chosen by its global online members (a not too shabby 1.5 million of them).
2011-03-22 09:00:00 // Rob Gaimster
// The Idealog Blog
With the myriad lessons of the Christchurch earthquake yet to be fully assessed it has been somewhat disturbing to see opinions rushed into print that pointlessly pitch one building material against another or that ignore the realities of 21st century building technology.
2011-03-21 10:30:31 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
There’s been a lot of analysis placed on the integrity and structure of buildings in light of the Christchurch earthquake, but the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering (NZSEE) wants to get a few things clear when it comes to defining what constitutes a modern building.
2011-03-15 11:08:59 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
CleverBastards, the self-proclaimed hunters of ingenious ideas, designs, art and craft from all over the country, have launched their CleverBastards 4 Chirstchurch art and design auction, featuring some very cool pieces of work from Kiwi creatives like Tim Wigmore and Brad Novak.
2011-03-14 11:52:44 // NZPI
// The Idealog Blog
Whilst NZPI is currently focused on supporting the broader community of Christchurch through the recovery phase following the devastating earthquake on 22/2, there will come a point when Christchurch city leaders, government and NZPI will be able to turn their thoughts and energies to planning and rebuilding the garden city.
At that point there are some fundamental, big picture questions that communities within Christchurch will want to consider and resolve, for example, what land is appropriate to build on, what do communities want their city to be like , will the heart of the city remain or move and what will it look like, and are there opportunities are for new infrastructure development and investment?
2011-03-08 15:05:43 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Here’s a cool website for creative folks in Christchurch and anyone in New Zealand looking to tap into some of that creativity.
2011-03-07 09:59:58 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
There may be reports of portaloo thefts in Christchurch, but some residents have already taken matters into their own hands by crafting their own unique long drops. Now a website has been set up dedicated to showcasing “the creative long drops that are popping up around Christchurch". The aptly named ShowUsYourLongDrop.com is asking people in Christchurch to upload their long drop creations and encouraging everyone else to “vote on who’s got the best loo”.
2011-03-02 06:00:00 // The New Zealand Historic Places Trust
// The Idealog Blog
The New Zealand Historic Places Trust (NZHPT) extends its deepest sympathy to families, friends and colleagues who lost loved ones and whose lives have been turned upside down through damage to their homes and businesses. This organisation is committed to working with Civil Defence, emergency services, the Christchurch City Council and government agencies in any capacity to help the city recover.
2011-03-01 14:50:20 // StopPress Team
// The Idealog Blog
There was plenty of StopPress discussion after Designworks’ chief executive Sven Baker offered some suggestions for ways the design industry could help Christchurch recover from the quake—and not long after he narrowly avoided falling victim to it himself. Now Designworks and Jay Wester, owner of plumbing and heating supplier Leap Australasia Ltd, have launched the first initiative to come out of those discussions, a registered trust called letsfixit.org.nz that aims to get Christchurch’s in-home domestic water services re-connected pronto. And according to Baker, it’s already working, with the first volunteer plumbers expected to be on the ground in Christchurch in the next few days.
2011-03-01 14:23:35 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
Anna Walker, an employee at design and advertising agency Strategy, has come up with a rosy initiative involving New Zealand’s design community. Called 'Roses for Christchurch', Walker’s initiative invites Kiwi designers to show their support and thoughts for CHCH by developing their own version of a rose For Christchurch. So far a number of designers have contributed designs, including Tana Mitchell, Bevan Tonks, Brogen Averill, Joanna Alpe, Phil Dunstan-Brown, Sarah Laing, Leonie Whyte and Zoe Ikin.
2011-03-01 11:25:50 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
| 12 comments
When a disaster strikes New Zealand the ability of Kiwis to unite and chip in wherever they can is made blatantly clear. Companies, organisations and individuals across the country are all doing their part, and for us here at Image Centre, that includes gathering donations for the Red Cross from all our staff.
If you want to share any actions, events, or messages, let us know and we’ll update this page to spread the word.
In the meantime, here are numerous ways you can contribute.
2011-02-28 16:00:49 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
Fundraising initiatives for Christchurch are coming thick and fast and from the design community comes this cool t-shirt idea.
2011-02-28 10:59:47 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Just as there’s been a constant flow of support from New Zealanders for Christchurch, ideas on how to best rebuild/pay homage to Christchurch have been in constant supply from the creative communities and beyond. One such idea involves the potential rebuild of the iconic Cathedral, involving imprinting each masonry stone with the name of a victim from the Earthquake.
2011-02-25 10:00:21 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
After being cancelled in 2010 following the September 4th earthquake, the SCAPE Biennial of Art in Public Space for 2011, due to run from March 4th to April 17 in Christchurch, has been postponed once again. The 2011 event was aiming to highlight the role these artists’ projects can contribute to discussions about urban regeneration as a result of the earthquake.
2011-02-23 17:40:22 // Creative NZ
// The Idealog Blog
Creative New Zealand expresses its deepest sympathies to the people of Canterbury following yesterday’s devastating earthquake. The immediate priority for all New Zealanders is the search and rescue operation and to support the many people who have suffered great personal tragedy and loss.
Creative New Zealand will be working to support the arts community in Canterbury and hopes to have a clearer picture of the overall impact of the earthquake in the coming weeks and months. We appreciate that this will take time and we will work alongside the community as they assess their losses.
2011-02-23 16:40:55 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
The creative folks behind the 'Beached As' cartoon skit have tweaked their famous cartoon to encourage people to donate to Christchurch.
J-Rad, Macca and Bosh say: “We're not tied to any charity or relief organisation, but we just want people to give what they can where they can. Giving is the act of spreading love.”
Check it out.
2011-02-22 15:45:07 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
Much sympathy and concern to our friends and colleagues in Christchurch. Your loss is ours.
And let us know about how you and your workplaces are affected. We’re keen to hear and help.
Just add your news to the comment thread.
Also, Google has created this people finder if you're concerned about anyone in Christchurch.
http://christchurch-2011.person-finder.appspot.com/
2011-02-09 10:19:29 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
| 2 comments
An exhibition at the Christchurch Art Gallery starting next week is giving Cantabs the chance to speak up about the future design direction of Christchurch post-earthquake.
2011-02-03 12:48:46 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
Cracked, unsightly and derelict spaces in Christchurch aren’t uncommon following the September 4th earthquake last year. But a collaborative effort between a number of organisations has been putting a greener and more leisure focused spin on the destruction, turning lonesome city centre sites into public recreational green havens, even if it is only temporary.
2011-01-19 11:35:47 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
| 3 comments
Thinking outside the box, or rather outside the country, has seen Christchurch design company Redesign catapult itself onto the global stage. And global expansion seems to have treated the company well, with business opportunities opening up in South East Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australasia.
2010-10-28 09:51:29 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
All going well, 650 of Christchurch’s youngins will be working together to regenerate sites left desolated by the Christchurch earthquake. Two schools— Unlimited Paenga Tawhiti and Discovery 1—are on the hunt for empty earthquake sites they can transform into green spaces.
2010-10-26 10:19:25 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
It might have had to take a momentary step aside in light of the Christchurch earthquake, but the good news is Christchurch’s PechaKucha night is all good to go. So good to go in fact, it’s happening tomorrow night. Here's the lineup for tomorrow's creative feast.
2010-10-21 22:01:40 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
What do a stadium and shed have in common? Clearly it’s not size, but an eye for clever design and construction detailing saw both take out awards at tonight’s Canterbury Architecture Awards. It was clean, clear palettes and no-fuss designs that found favour with the judges at this year’s ceremony.
2010-10-13 10:02:10 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
You might remember not long after the Christchurch earthquake, a group of young architectural graduates launched the ‘Ideas for Christchurch’ initiative as a means of encouraging as many groups or individuals as possible to submit ideas they had for the architecture of the city and hence "share architectural ideas for discussion". Over one month on and loads of submissions later, you can see the diverse submissions for yourself. Here are few to get you started...
2010-10-07 11:27:07 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
At a time when rebuilding Christchurch is at the forefront of many people’s attention, the city is set to receive some fresh perspectives on architecture with a visit from architect Kevin Low, whose company ‘small projects’ concerns itself with relevant design, architectural economy and spatial technology.
2010-10-04 11:08:25 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
The New Zealand Institute of Architects has agreed with the Christchurch City Council to provide the earthquake-hit region with an Architectural Ambassador. Architect Ian Athfield will take on the ambassador role, which will involve providing design advice and coordination during the rebuild and restoration process. Warren and Mahoney back the move and offer six of their own principles it believes should underpin future decision making on the rebuild.
2010-09-23 11:57:57 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
With the Government's announcement that it will contribute $10 million in addition to local funding to assist with the repair, restoration and strengthening of heritage and character buildings in the Canterbury region, comes news that three buildings on Wellington’s Willis street—all over 100 years old—are being demolished, without any public notification. But the owners of heritage buildings that fall under similar fate aren't necessarily to blame.
2010-09-20 11:42:43 // Kip Brook
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
As a former UK-Europe Bureau Chief NZPA media correspondent, Kip Brook is no stranger to putting his thoughts into words following a crisis. Now settled in Christchurch, Brook gives his take on the city's architecture and heritage, a fortnight after the quake.
2010-09-15 16:24:44 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
It’s all go for design agency Designworks with their plans to open their new office in the Garden City next month. The agency, of Air New Zealand’s speedy check-in terminals and Skycouch fame, will be building on the success of existing South Island clients like PGG Wrightson, AMI Insurance and Silver Fern Farms.
2010-09-14 09:51:23 // Ideas for Christchurch
// The Idealog Blog
| 1 comment
A group of young architectural graduates is calling for your ideas to stimulate interest and establish discussion to achieve the best for Christchurch. The scale is open: form a strategic vision for the entire city; reconsider a hard hit suburb; preserve a local dairy. Salvage heritage and character, design temporary infills, sustainable developments, urban parks/reserves, inner-city living, a new typology of housing, a city of skyscrapers, a city of pickles… whatever you find interesting. They want to see your ideas providing a framework to give shape to what could, should, or might be.
2010-09-13 11:18:45 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
While the organisers of Christchurch's Pecha Kucha night had all the good intentions to progress with the event as planned, the decision has been made to postpone this Thursday's event.
2010-09-10 12:55:37 // Deirdre Robert
// The Idealog Blog
We’ve been speaking with the folk behind Christchurch’s PechaKucha night and the good news is the event is going ahead as planned, this coming Thursday, September 16. So if you’re in Christchurch, make sure you head along and support the creative community.
2010-09-07 17:13:06 // Design Daily Team
// The Idealog Blog
It seems everyone is getting involved where they can in the aftermath of the Christchurch earthquake and the design and architecture realms are no exception. This week, both the Designers Institute and the New Zealand Institute of Architects have pledged their support.
2010-06-22 21:53:11 // The Editors
// Idealog #28: gear
| 1 comment
Why should grown-ups have all the fun? Boutique company Kingswood Skis is pioneering a range of fat kids' skis. No, not skis for fat kids, but fat skis for ordinary kids.
