The Westport Town of Tomorrow Urban Design Competition 2009 for Google Earth

Westport, the first town in Ireland to have been modelled in 3D and hosted on Google Earth is running its second Town of Tomorrow Urban Design Competition for local students.

 2008 saw over 40 students from the three local secondary schools compete for some fabulous prizes sponsored by Westport Town Council and The Mayo News.

This year’s competition has taken on a new dimension with the involvement of 50 students from not only the local secondary school students but also the 2nd year Architectural Technology undergraduates from Galway & Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) Castlebar Campus.”

The competition, which was launched last year by Daniela Brica the European 3D Captain for Google Earth, involves the re-design of the centre of ‘virtual’ Westport using the popular architectural software Google SketchUp.

The competition is based on the ground-breaking photo-realistic 3D computer model of Westport commissioned by the Town Council who are pioneers in the use of such 3D digital technology for both urban planning and online tourism.

Peter Hynes Director of Services for Westport commented, “Each student team chose a section of the town to work with. Their design brief is purposely rather loose so they can take full advantage of the design software, whilst enabling them to make the maximum use of their imagination. If last year’s entries are anything to go by we are expecting some fabulous new ideas on how our Heritage Town could be developed in the years to come.

“I’m very pleased to announce that the judges for this year’s competition are both extremely well qualified Google executives. Once again we are honoured to have the services of Ms Daniela Brica from Google Zurich and accompanying her this year is Mr Craig D’Andrea a 3D Data Specialist from Google in Colorado USA.

“ Westport is extremely privileged to have secured the services of two such professionals and trust that our students will give them a hard job in picking the winners.”

As Daniela Brica one of the judges from Google commented “The work the students produced last year was excellent and I’m sure this year’s entries will be just as good. I’m particularly looking forward to seeing what the budding urban planners and architects from GMIT Castlebar will think should be contained in the Westport of Tomorrow.”

2009 Winners

The judges selected a winner from each school and college and then an overall winner from the three secondary schools.

They were:

#1 Sacred Heart School: Team GASP

Aoife Basquill, Grace Healy Saoirse Wall & Penny McGovern

We’re stunned by it’s beauty. The integration of natural design elements made for an inviting garden environment.  The use of curved elements added a soft beauty to the design. I would like to spend time in this future garden town! The use of individual wind turbines is unique and clever. Along with the open garden landscape of this design, there is a very healthy and green aspect to this entry that we liked very much!

#2 The runner-up from Rice College is: Team Sotom & Co.

Jamie Mullen, Steven McDonnell & Thomas Leahy

Clean integration of their ideas into the existing town scape. Nice set-back approach to the buildings across the canal from the new park, with a covered walking bridge connecting them. Nice overall design.

#1 Rice College: Team Awesome League

Danny Geraty, Cian Tracey, Timothy Horgan & Joseph Philips

Very clever design! I like the Art Gallery buildings design, the thought that went into features for different age groups, and the innovative upper walk way. Pretty cool ideas and a lot of work went into this!! Very cool and smart! I like this! Like Craig, I like the Art Gallery design of the building very much. The students of this project have really thought this through and it not only makes sense but also looks good!

Sean Coughlan, Nathan O’Malley & Nathan O’Connor

The Keg entry was clever with the inclusion of the fun park for the youth in the community, and solved existing problems such as wind power, and a parking garage to solve city congestion.

#2 The runner-up from GMIT: Team The Early Risers

Nicole Barrett, James Mitchell, Yvonne Ryan & Elaine Tuohy

The Early Risers had very polished design ideas, and solved problems such as parking, car flow, and space considerations with a coherent and very modern approach to their design. We would have liked to see more of the historical aspects of the town carried forward in their design. Overall, a very nice piece of work that obviously took time and skillful work to create.

#1 GMIT: Team Cubists

Jackie Cawley, Ian Cronolly & Coleman O’Kane

We love this one! Beautiful integration into the town’s community needs!! High level of design quality for each element. Designs that truly relate to the area…i.e. Atlantic viewing tower. Good community sense: parks, fountains, library, outdoor theater, recreation center with Olympic size pool, and art museum with Pablo Picasso!! :) Sustainable ideas: Tram/train.  Love it. The integration of their design elements into the community and existing town infrastructure was excellent! They scored the top grade, thus winning the competition over all!

In addition to some excellent prizes the three winning secondary school teams were invited by Google’s Dave O’Connor (Dublin facility) to visit the company’s facility in Dublin.

N.B. It is intended that the 2010 competition be thrown open to more schools and colleges from throughout the West of Ireland as well as to selected third level colleges from both Ireland the UK and overseas.