Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:30 pm Posts: 57118 Location: Pomeroy's Wine Bar
Wellington's lobster loos scoop award
Wellington waterfront's controversial lobster loos have won an architecture award for their functional and interesting design.
The winners of the New Zealand Institute of Architects Wellington awards were announced last night. The 27 awards covered a range of buildings, from schools and sports centres to homes and heritage buildings.
The orange, tentacle-shaped toilet building on the waterfront, designed by Studio of Pacific Architecture, was a great mix of art and design, said the convener of the awards jury, architect Paki Maaki.
"They are interesting objects that demonstrate a high level of design and art, and are very usable," he said.
"A huge part of architecture is providing a function, helping people with their way of life. As much as people don't really think about toilets, they are something we use every day.
"These ones can be used by all sorts of people, from party-goers to mums with babies in prams, and recreational joggers."
Mr Maaki said the awards demonstrated the scope and quality of the work being undertaken by Wellington's architects in a challenging economic environment. "It's obvious that clients and their architects are doing more with less."
Joined: Tue Mar 27, 2012 5:30 pm Posts: 57118 Location: Pomeroy's Wine Bar
There was controversy when these Lobster Lavatories were first built....
Lobster loos name unpopular BRONWYN TORRIE Last updated 05:00 13/08/2011
Wellingtons new waterfront loo's are open to the public, but are they art or ablution blocks?
The lobster loos on Wellington's waterfront have already attracted international attention but local people are asking for a less offensive moniker to be used.
The public toilets on Queens Wharf opened yesterday after three years of design, planning and debating over the $375,000 price tag.
They are the latest addition to the capital's quirky lavatories, which include the Evans Bay Parade boat sheds at Balaena Bay and the Te Aro Park mural toilets in Courtenay Place.
Wellington Waterfront chief executive Ian Pike is encouraging people to use the official name, designer dunnies, rather than lobster loos.
"It was a name that came out fairly early on in the piece but, we're moving away from it because there's some cultural sensitivity.
"Food and toilets actually don't go well in Maoridom ... we had some feedback from the local iwi that indicated that wasn't a good reference."
Armadillo, crayfish and anteater have been touted as alternative names, but lobster loos seems to be the favourite for architect Bret Thurston's winning design, chosen from 28 entries.
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Do not go gentle into that good night.
Nobody asked US either! 
OUR vote is for Crustacean Crapper. 
