Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson has announced the four finalists for the Christchurch urban design competition “Breathe”. The competition sought innovative medium density housing development designs from any group that included a designer and a property developer. A total of 58 entries from across the world were received.

Two of the shortlisted concepts are from New Zealand based groups: Walker Architecture and Design, and Ceres NZ Development; and Jasmax, Viva Project, Evergreen Realty and Latitude Group Development. The other two finalists are international entrants: from Australia, Ganellen, the University of Technology Sydney and Design King Company Architects; and from Italy, Anselmi Attiani Associated Architects, Cresco Group and Holloway Builders (NZ).

The four consortiums have each been given $20,000 dollars to develop their concepts and the winning design, to be announced later this year, will be built across from Latimer Square in Christchurch.