19 November 2009 Official Opening of New Landscape Architecture Building

The Minister for Economic Development and Leader of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Gerry Brownlee, MP for Ilam, will officially open Lincoln University’s new School of Landscape Architecture building at 5.00 o’clock on Friday 20 November.

The new $6 million building is located on the central campus at Lincoln University adjacent to the Stewart Building and at the rear of Lincoln University’s foundation building, Ivey Hall.

In October the new building won an award in the Public Architecture category of the Canterbury Architecture Awards. Judges praised it for the “cohesive, inclusive feel” that “helps create synergies for students to learn together.” The building was designed by Sheppard & Rout Architects Ltd in association with Royal Associates Ltd.

The occasion also celebrates the 40th anniversary of Lincoln University (Lincoln College back then) first offering a professional qualification in Landscape Architecture, the first in New Zealand. Forty years on, nearly 700 students have graduated in Landscape Architecture from Lincoln University and graduates are working throughout New Zealand and in some 15 countries worldwide.

Activities marking the anniversary began yesterday (18 Nov.) with a workshop on Urban Ecology and Ecological Design. Today (19 Nov.) there is a landscape research symposium.

After the official opening of the building by Mr Brownlee, activities include an Art Auction (starting at 6.15pm) to raise funds for production of a sculpture for the building by the 2010 Sculptor in Residence.

On Saturday and Sunday there will be get-togethers and reunions for former and current staff and students, centred on the Landscape Building. On Sunday there is an inter-denominational celebration service in Memorial Hall, starting at 9.45am, conducted by the Lincoln University Chaplain the Rev. Glenda Hicks.