The Jasmax & Viva! Project ‘Living Village’ design entry has been shortlisted in the Christchurch ‘Breathe’ competition. Stage one of the competition saw designers around the world invited to enter a design competition aimed at rejuvenating a neighbourhood in the heart of Christchurch City.

The ‘Living Village’ team comprises the Viva! Project, a 300-strong collective of Christchurch citizens passionate about creating a sustainable rebuild for Christchurch, and award-winning New Zealand architectural practice, Jasmax, with additional support provided by developer Evergreen Realty, whose mission is to create affordable and sustainable living environments.

Jasmax Principal and Design Team Leader Greg Boyden commented: “The collaborative vision for the ‘Living Village’ community is to create an innovative village model, based on social, environmental, cultural and financial sustainability. The design incorporates a housing model that optimises the needs of the individual as well as the wider community”.

The judging panel, including international judge Kevin McCloud commended the design stating: “The village uses natural materials and native plants to harness rainwater and capture energy from the sun to deliver an exemplar of ‘one-planet’ living. The design delivers a strong sense of place and community created through its diverse housing and shared amenities surrounded by an inviting garden city setting. A further strength of this unique community-based development model is that its modest approach addresses housing affordability issues.”

Two of the shortlisted concepts are from New Zealand based groups:
- Jasmax, Viva Project, Evergreen Realty and Latitude Group Development
- Walker Architecture and Design and Ceres NZ Development

The other two finalists are international entrants:
- From Australia: Ganellen; the University of Technology, Sydney; and Design King Company Architects
- From Italy and New Zealand: Anselmi Attiani Associated Architects, Cresno Group and Holloway Builders.