Floodlit bridge a winning idea

The Auckland Harbour Bridge could be lit up with colour variations and patterns for the 2011 Rugby World Cup if a winning architectural award becomes a reality.

Patterson Associates was the joint winner in the open section of the Cavalier Bremworth Award in unbuilt architecture with a proposal to transform the harbour bridge for the cup with new technology floodlights set below the roadway. The judges said the tiny film of lighting was evocative, transformative and eminently doable.

"It would transform the bridge at night, reminding us of ethereal connections, electrons, traffic and shooting stars."

Company director Andrew Patterson said the design was a concept at this stage. But a spokesman for the NZ Transport Agency, which owns and operates the bridge, said it was examining the feasibility of the proposal.

"There are some key questions to address, including engineering aspects and the need to ensure driver safety is not affected," the spokesman said.

The other joint winner in the open section was a design for a kiosk to sell cupcakes for charity by Jasmax's Oh.No.Sumo. The winner in the student section was Yosop Ryoo, of AUT , with a modelled work called "The No Man's Land".

The judges for the 18th year of the competition were Sydney architect Camilla Block, Auckland architect Aaron Paterson and Simon Twose of Victoria University.