2018 architecture essay competition

– call for entries

Entries are invited into this year’s Warren Trust Awards for Architectural Writing.

The annual writing competition, organised by the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) with the support of the Warren Trust, has two entry categories: open and secondary school.

The essay topic for both categories is: “What’s the best building you’ve been to? Describe it, and say why you like it.”

The deadline for entries is 10 September 2018. Results will be announced in October.

Entrants should send their essays, which must be original and previously unpublished work, to writingawards@nzia.co.nz. Word limits are 1500 for the open category and 800 for the secondary school category.

Winners of the open and secondary school categories will receive cash prizes of $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. Up to three highly commended awards, each of $500, may also be made.

For more details go the NZIA website: www.nzia.co.nz.

Institute of Architects spokesperson John Walsh said the purpose of the Warren Trust Awards is to encourage writing about architecture, and to provide a vehicle for longer-form writing.

“The Institute of Architects wants to promote an informed critical culture, and we are especially keen to give younger writers an incentive to write about architecture.”

“We hope, also, that the competition will appeal to people, generally, who enjoy the craft of writing and the challenges of an essay-type format.”

The writing awards are in their fourth year. Each year, the NZIA publishes a book that includes 10 selected essays from the competition. The books are on sale on the NZIA website, and the winning essays may also be found on the website.

The judges of the 2018 Warren Trust Award for Architectural Writing are NZIA Communications Manager John Walsh, Massey University Press publisher Nicola Legat, and Christchurch architect and Warren Trustee Richard McGowan.