Enter the Dragon: Andrew Senia awards first prize to JOH Architects’ Christian O’Halloran, David McDonald and Michelle Jacobson.
A dragon-like water feature has won a competition to design a landmark for Geelong, organisers have announced.
Icon for Geelong competition founder Andrew Senia revealed JOH Architects’ “Sea Dragon” as the winner this week.
Mr Senia’s law firm, Senia Lawyers, handed over $10,000 to the winners.
“With pleasure I announce JOH Architects the winner of the Icon for Geelong competition and have handed them the prize money,” Mr Senia said.
“Their thoughtful and inspirational design is a tribute to our city and will be enjoyed by both the people of Geelong and our visitors for generations to come.
“I look forward to working closely with JOH Architects on the second stage of the project to have the Sea Dragon constructed.”
The winning design features five wind turbines powering a floating corkscrew-like structure driving an undulating wave adjacent to Steampacket Gardens. The designers said Sea Dragon would require little maintenance and could be easily towed to other sites around the bay.
JOH Architects’ Christian O’Halloran said his small firm was “ecstatic”.
“It’s the first competition we’ve won,” he said.
“We’d never wanted to enter competitions until we had a worthwhile concept but when we reviewed the Icon for Geelong we thought we had something that works for this space.”
Mr O’Halloran said JOH’s design took its name from the weedy sea dragon, a marine animal endemic to the Port Phillip and Corio bays area.
Mr Senia also paid tribute to the other 80-plus submitters for their entries and ideas.
“I thank all the other entrants for their designs and encourage them to continue their creative endeavours. Many thanks to Senia Lawyers’ co-sponsors, the Geelong Independent and Deakin University, for all their efforts. The support that they, and others, have given me is deeply appreciated.”
The Icon for Geelong competition called for a unique design to help promote Geelong around the world. The competition drew praise from Geelong Mayor John Mitchell and Premier Ted Baillieu.
