In 2023, Te Kāhui Whaihanga and The Warren Trust invited the public to enter the annual Warren Trust Writing Awards, responding to the question ‘How has architecture shaped your world?’. The competition received an impressive 75 entries across three categories – Tamariki, Rangatahi and Open. We are pleased to present the winning and highly commended entries.
The Warren Trust Writing Awards provide a rare opportunity to engage with architecture in inventive, meaningful and compelling ways. In 2023, entrants were invited to submit original fiction, non-fiction, a comic or poem that responded to the theme: ‘How has architecture shaped your world?’
An impressive 75 entries were received, with the judges noting the significant number of Tamariki who submitted, demonstrating how many young people care about the future of design and the wellbeing of the planet. “There was a level of sophistication and creativity among tamariki that pushed the boundaries of what architecture is and could be,” said the judges.
The awards were judged by Ana Heremaia (Ngāpuhi), co-founder of multi-disciplinary, not-for profit design studio ĀKAU; Anahera Rawiri (Ngāti Whātua), Kaihautū/Principal at Jasmax and Waitematā Local Board member; and Sam Brooks, an award-winning playwright, journalist, critic and feature writer at The Spinoff.
There were entries that engaged the judges, got them thinking and challenged them with their complex ideas. Ultimately, it was an abstract and thought-provoking piece of creative writing by architecture graduate Will Martel that took out the top prize in the 2023 Warren Trust Awards for Architectural Writing.
The annual awards programme is a joint venture between The Warren Trust and Te Kāhui Whaihanga. The Warren Trust is a charitable organisation established in the honour of celebrated architect Sir Miles Warren and promotes architectural education to the profession and wider public. We thank the Trust for supporting and celebrating creative talent in Aotearoa New Zealand through the awards. We also thank the judges for their time and commitment and commend all entrants in challenging themselves to respond to the theme. The quality of your mahi will inspire others to enter in years to come.
The winners
Open Category
Winner:
Will Martel Pandora’s Letter-box
Highly Commended:
Katie Braatvedt This is Not a Gender Issue
Christopher Schooler Te Whare ki te Kāinga
Ju An Teo A Simulation of Reality
Rangatahi Category
Winner:
Cameron Hartley Cathedral
Highly Commended:
Oshadha Perera Shaping Lives
Tamariki Category
Winner:
Abby Middleton A World Shaped by Architecture
Highly Commended:
Amy Gilbert The Perfect Design
Bianca Losco My Room Keeps Me Safe
Charlotte Hodgson The Ruby Door
The judges
Anahera Rawiri, Jasmax
Sam Brooks, The Spinoff
Ana Heremaia, ĀKAU