John Hollings Seismic Resilience in Practice Award

Case study projects from practice are sought that have the objective of providing enhanced seismic resilience in an earthquake event.  Submitted projects may be new builds or seismic retrofits and can be a building, structure, or infrastructure.

The judges will consider the performance of the building, infrastructure, bridge, wharf or any other facility submitted with respect to:

• Structure
• Soil/foundation/structure/infrastructure interaction
• Non-structural elements (as appropriate to the type of structure)
• Services (as appropriate to the type of structure).

All entries received will be on public display at the NZSEE Conference and online.  A panel of engineers and architects will judge the entries, and they will be assessed according to engineering and architectural standards, as appropriate. The award shall be assessed on the entry only.

Entry conditions are as follows:

1. Entries submitted shall include:
   
   1. a maximum 1500-word submission by the nominated closing date, and
   2. An A1 size poster of the entry, received at the Conference Registration Desk, before 10 am on the opening day of the Annual NZSEE Technical conference, and email digital entry to exec@nzsee.org.nz.
2. The submission shall include the names of the engineer and architect (as appropriate), project location, and a primary contact name, phone number and email address.
3. The project must have been completed and opened in the three years prior to the award submission.
4. Entries that show strong collaboration between engineers, architects (where appropriate) and other disciplines to achieve seismic resilience are encouraged.
5. Only one entry can be submitted per project.
6. Previous winning projects are ineligible to reapply.
7. Entries shall include:
   
   1. Name of the project.
   2. The location of the project.
   3. The names of the engineers (and if appropriate architect), and optionally the client and contractor.
   4. The completion date of the project (month, year) and confirm it is open.
   5. A short description of the engineering scheme – systems and materials used.
   6. A short description of the project’s architectural features, where appropriate.
   7. Explanation of how the project provides enhanced seismic resilience.
   8. Visual material to explain the project – high quality photos (during construction and/or on completion) drawings, diagrams.
8. A selection committee representing NZSEE shall consider the applications received and select the entry, if any, is to be awarded. The selection committee may contact the applicant for further information.  The decision of the selection committee will be final, and no correspondence will be entered into. No award may be given at the discretion of the New Zealand Society for Earthquake Engineering.
9. The A1 size poster submitted as part of the entry will not be returned but will be available for pick up if requested with the entry.

The winners of the John Hollings Award for Seismic Resilience in Practice will be announced at the NZSEE Annual Technical Conference. 

Applications for 2025 are closed. 

Past Recipients