2017
THE AGL VIEWING PLATFORM ART & DESIGN COMPETITION
How do you make the viewing platform for the Broken Hill solar plant a design and educational
landmark? That’s the challenge AGL Energy Limited (AGL) is setting for artists, designers, architects
and engineers, all with a chance to win $10,000 for the best concept.
AGL Head of Government & Community Relations Tony Chappel said, the AGL Viewing Platform Art &
Design Competition is open to professionals and enthusiasts alike.
“Whether you’re a budding art and design student, a professional architect, engineer or an artist, the
project is open to everyone of all ages nationwide.
“This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate your talents and design flair, we hope to attract a lot of
top quality entries. And the ultimate prize is that the winning design will be a major feature of the final
viewing platform of the 53 MW solar plant,” Mr Chappel said.
AGL built the 140 hectare Broken Hill solar plant and now manages it on behalf of new owners - the
Powering Australian Renewables Fund. The solar plant produces enough renewable energy to power
17,000 homes every year.
AGL launched the Viewing Platform Art & Design competition in conjunction with the Broken Hill Art
Exchange (BHAE).
BHAE Director, Susan Thomas encouraged design students and professionals to start putting pen or
paintbrush to paper as entries are open from Monday, 9 January 2017 until Friday, 3 March 2017.
“Opportunities like this don’t come around very often. Not only is the total prize pool money of $15,000
substantial, it’s a great chance for students and professionals to become recognised and get their name
out there if they aren’t known already.
“And I’m happy to say as a part of this competition, all entries will have the unique chance of
showcasing their work to the public by being a part of our Desert Equinox Solar Prelude exhibition and
events calendar,” Ms Thomas said.
All entries will be judged on criteria such as their demonstration of excellence in design, celebration of
environmental practices, solar energy and innovation, contribution to Broken Hill’s artistic and cultural
heritage, and practicality and feasibility of construction in line with the AGL Viewing Platform
Requirements Brief.
Four finalists will be notified from 7 March 2017 and will each receive a $1,000 assistance package to
help develop a presentation of their design to a jury panel, which will be held at a public event on
Friday, 24 March 2017.
The finalists and winner of the $10,000 prize will be chosen by a panel of judges appointed by AGL and
BHAE. The $1,000 People’s Choice award is to be nominated by the public through a popular vote and
the winner will be announced at an awards night ceremony on Saturday, 25 March 2017.
Prize Winners:
$10,000 First Prize winner: Timothy Bauer, 'Earth & Sky' (#56)
$1,000 Finalists’ presentation grants: Timothy Bauer, 'Earth & Sky' (#56); Ben Waters, 'Silver Circle Viewing Platform' (#34); Shay Carthew abd Tayah Lee Traub, 'The Journey' (#100); and Bryce Bessel, 'Bronze Wing' (#57)
$1,000 People’s Choice award: Ben Waters, 'Silver Circle Viewing Platform' (#34)
The competition to design a viewing platform to be built over the Broken Hill Solar Farm attracted over one hundred entries from across Australia. Four finalists were selected to present their design to a judging panel and the general public. The presentations were held in the Ivory Room at the Musicians Club, Broken Hill. All the eligible entries were exhibited in Broken Hill at the Albert Kirsten Gallery, Broken Hill Mining & Mineral Museum GeoCentre. The exhibition opened on Friday 17 March and closed on 24 April 2017.
This project was administered by the Broken Hill Art Exchange Inc.
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