Ellerslie Gold
CPIT, particularly its School of Architectural Studies, is celebrating with news that one of its students has taken top honours in the Ellerslie International Flower show. Pete Hodge, who is studying in his third and final year towards CPIT’ Bachelor of Architectural Studies, together with his creative team, was yesterday presented with a Gold award for his Family Urban Garden.
“We finished the set-up on Monday, we stood back and were pretty proud of what we had done. If the judges walking by had said “Well done” we would’ve been happy, but for them to award us Gold is incredible – it’just amazing! We are absolutely delighted!”says Pete.
The 5 x 5m garden entry impressed judges with its clever use of technology, stunning composition and fantastic level of detail.
“The design was based on the creative brief from Ellerslie, but I was inspired by a quote from English writer Derek Jarman who said that a garden was not only for children to play in – adults too, could relax and have fun. So the concept was really based around that,” says Pete.
From the design of the garden through to its construction, the garden has been a collaborative project for Pete, his fellow students and tutors, who were determined to turn the innovative concept into a reality.
The garden was designed by Pete in September 2009, and has come to fruition with the help of CPIT design tutor Wendy Lewell and fellow architecture students Renee Hill, Kelly Swann, Cameron Pluck and Bryce Newsome.
With funding support from the CPIT Foundation and sponsorship by Fletcher Construction, the building of the garden took six weeks to complete thanks to the help of Fletcher’ apprentices and CPIT construction management and carpentry students, Tim Glenn and Ross Mosley.
“The whole project has been a collaborative effort between Pete and his team, especially the apprentices supplied by Fletcher Construction, who are also CPIT construction management students,”says Keith Power, Head of CPIT’School of Architectural Studies.
“The spirit amongst the students was tremendous –congratulations to everyone involved. This is a wonderful achievement for our students and CPIT.”