DESIGN COMPETITION ANNOUNCED

An exciting competition has been launched inviting Australian designers to conceive a nationally significant commemorative place in the heart of our National Capital.
Immigration Place Australia will be a meeting place for all Australians to share their stories and a place of welcome for migrants and new citizens. The site, nestled in Australia’s Parliamentary zone, will be transformed from a sliver of remnant land in Canberra, bordered by a car park and the busy Kings Avenue to a special and memorable destination – a place that will enrich our national identity, culture and experience of country.

Vince Sorrenti, one of Australia’s most loved and leading comic entertainers, with a proud migrant heritage, launched the Design Competition for Immigration Place Australia on Tuesday 18 November.

‘I am delighted to be the Patron for Immigration Place Australia. Having graduated as an architect many years ago and growing up as the son of Italian immigrants I have more than a social interest in this brilliant initiative. Immigrants have helped form the fabric of Australia and Immigration Place Australia will now form a physical place in our urban landscape. From social history to a place in our nation’s capital! Maybe we need a place to recognise comedians as well? (Apart from that big place with a giant flag flying above it)’, Vince Sorrenti said.

Immigration Place Australia is calling for Expressions of Interest from architects and landscape architects in multidisciplinary teams, to participate in the competition. The EOI closes on 12 December 2014. From those respondents up to five teams will be invited to develop and submit their designs for the site. Each shortlisted team will receive an honorarium of $8,000.

The winner will be announced on Harmony Day, 21 March 2015.
The winning design team will receive an additional $5,000 first prize and the opportunity to be engaged to develop the design concept.

Design aspirations for the competition include providing a rich commemorative experience of Australia’s migrant past, present and future; celebration and sharing of migrant stories; engaging the young and old; and stimulating interest in the Australian migrant story.

Lt Gen (Rtd) Laurie O’Donnell AC, the Chairman of the Board of Immigration Place Australia, said at the competition launch,

‘We are immensely proud to take this important next step in establishing a memorable commemorative place in Canberra – Immigration Place – where all Australians can meet, celebrate and reflect on our immigrant heritage and collective achievements.

‘We have worked hard with representatives of the Australian Government to identify an appropriate site within the Parliamentary Zone and we are immensely pleased with the exceptional location for Immigration Place.’ Lt Gen O’Donnell said.

Immigration Place Australia continues to build on the collection of over 1,600 immigrant stories already published on their website. The sharing of these experiences is an important part of building awareness of Australia’s cultural heritage.