New Zealand Architecture Now: Recent Episodes
Rosalind Derby
Monthly sessions with Rosalind Derby and others, discussing architecture and urban design with a focus on place, community, and environment.
Buildings act to mediate between people and site.
Buildings allow us to place ourselves meaningfully in our environment and form our physical relationship in our community.
Matthew Colloff, an environmental scientist at ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society , is the author of the marvellous book: ‘Landscapes of our Hearts: Reconciling People and Environment’.
In this brilliant conversation, he sets us off on a journey of place, country, landscape, urbanism, community, culture, architecture and society.
Currently working in public policy, researching and advising on adaptation to climate change, he speaks to the interaction between values, rules and knowledge in adaptation decision making.
‘Landscapes of our Hearts:’ won the 2021 NSW Premier's History Award in the NSW Community and Regional History category.
The inspiring and active Ellen Young is Managing Director of Paper Road: Connecting Community and Place.
Based in Whanganui, with her unique previous ‘placemaking’ experience at Whanganui District Council, Ellen is now in a position to lead and advise community co-design processes with local councils in our regions.
Her discussion highlights the advocacy processes with councils and communities in activating vital street and public place urban design schemes.
There is much to learn here from her philosophical, yet feet on the ground, knowledge of these important contemporary works.
We speak with Joel Cosgrove, social geographer and core curator of Wellington’s Eyegum Music Collective.
We discuss their Welcome to Nowhere festival as placemaking, our urban 3rd spaces and collective public space.
He suggests that much of what we worked on in the past shows more examples than the works of present development. It's time to think back as we think forward.
French Canadian contemporary artist Micheline Robinson, tells her story of placemaking activism and creativity in Hoylake Town on the Wirral Peninsula, near Liverpool.
In 2009, Micheline, amid renewed growth as an artist, awoke to the declining town quality of Hoylake and the many small towns in the Wirral Borough Merseyside and did something about it.
As a leading figure in the focus for this regional revitalisation, Micheline’s colourful narrative sets up parallels for our current placemaking awareness here locally, nationally and internationally.
Micheline Robinson is now a resident of the Kapiti Coast.
Michael Gloster, discusses the 40-year history of the brilliant Noosa Council in shaping the iconic Noosa coastal district, on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Anyone who is passionate about the coastal environment and human settlement planning, can be enriched by this world-leading urban and regional parks development story.
Michael Gloster, author of 'The Shaping of Noosa', is an architect, urban designer and policy planner.
Afdel Aziz (The Conspiracy of Love) discusses his groundbreaking documentary ‘The Genius of the Place'.
This extraordinarily beautiful film introduces us to Geoffery Bawa and his architecture in Sri Lanka.
Bawa (1919 – 2003), recognised as one of the influential architects of the twentieth century, devoted his work to the discovery of a contemporary Sri Lankan sense of place.
Afdel’s interview reveals the importance of the film as a story of Bawa’s life and work within the utterly beautiful Sri Lankan geography.
Afdel enchanted his film with special interviews among the talented Sri Lankan architects, artists, and craftspeople with whom Bawa collaborated, to bring forward his formative expression of a de-colonised Sri Lankan architecture.
We meet TreeSpace Kapiti.
Viola Palmer, and Geoff Scrase, two members of TreeSpace Kapiti introduce us to this new urban tree advocacy group.
Advocating the importance of tree canopy quality in urban areas for well-being, suburban temperature cooling, and carbon sequestration, they also discuss their latest local planting project, the Miyawaki tiny forest concept.
An action-packed interview with James Beban, Co-Owner Urban Edge Planning.
James advises where NOT to build, as an expert in natural hazard policy formation and research.
The multi-disciplinary Urban Edge team describe ‘quality’ as their core principle across all aspects of the firm; Resource Consent Planning / Landscape Architecture and Urban Design / District Plan Policy and Private Plan Changes / Natural Hazard Policy Formation and Research.
They have a team of Planners, Landscape Architects and Urban Designers.
Their services also include strategic policy advice for local and central government; evidence for council and Environmental Court hearings; Stakeholder and Community consultation.’
Michael Anistasidis discusses mortgage finance, especially for First Home Buyers.
Michael clearly and in straightforward language describes the important work of property finance for his clients, particularly First Home buyers.
Michael’s understanding of this country’s property market and the current housing landscape is underpinned by a commitment to service people’s need for a home.
Broad brush discussion on Aotearoa New Zealand’s current housing issues, the cycles of the market, and the kinds of questions we need to ask of the collective challenges ahead of us.
contact Michael at https://www.michaelmortgageman.co.nz/’
Economist Mary Hedges, fundraising manager for the restoration of Christ Church in Ellerslie, discusses the ‘hook’ that enabled their highly successful fundraising campaign for this historic restoration.
The hook: stained glass windows donated by foremost, Victorian stained-glass designer and fabricator Alfred Bell of Clayton and Bell. Mary clearly understood every element of the design report by heritage architects Salmond Reed Architects, to inform their funding application.
This is an exciting adventure of local history, involving Albin Martin, one of the founders of the church and considered ‘The Father of Art’ in Auckland.
Giles Keating, current Owner of Athelhampton – one of the finest Tudor manors in England, dated 1495 and pre-1066. Giles describes his restoration work and their Athelhampton Zero project with Spase Ltd Architects and Surveyors.
As a team, clients, architects and suppliers provided an award-winning conversion of a Grade 1 listed estate into becoming carbon neutral.
Listen here for restoration stories of their huge kitchen hearth, writer Thomas Hardy’s deep association with the house after his career as an architect, the house as a film location and sharing carbon-neutral power installation expertise with Hampton Court consultants. Athelhampton is also open to visitors.
Visit https://athelhampton.com and https://spase.co.uk/portfolio/athelhampton.zero/
Paula Clarke of Go Architecture in Lower Hutt discusses the business of architecture. Her excellent design studio is managed with well-considered systems and structure, achieving an optimum working environment for her team, clients and colleagues. Business and communication systems and a well-designed office environment support her delivery of high-quality architecture.’
Aidan Hart is a world-renowned iconographer. Aidan discusses his experience designing and installing liturgical works in ancient and modern cathedrals across the world.
His understanding of both Islamic and Christian architecture in the provision of his works is profound.
Aidan Hart Icons: https://aidanharticons.com/.
An evocative discussion with Brendan discussing their project near Cairo Egypt for a new 4000-student university.
Brendan describes shadow and geometry including the intimacy of sub-ground tombs as his archeological context.
The firm won the C40 competition Reinventing Cities for their unbuilt ‘Energy Plug’, a gateway building at Paris Olympics 2024.
Brendan’s creative studies originating in Aotearoa NZ are also highlighted.
Tania Ihlenfeld joins us from London. Tania is the CEO and Founder of Ede Enablers Ltd and the author of Build Success. Both her company and recent book are committed to developing and supporting formidable leaders to deliver impactful, future-fit built environments without compromise.
Michael Lehrer one of Los Angeles’ celebrated, modernist architects With many decades of practice based in Silverlake Hollywood, he gives a vital and clear description of practicing architecture as it happens day to day.
His commitment to the craft and the creative process for the well-being of the individual and community clients is enlightening and encourages all in the collaborative act of architecture.
Michael is the recipient of many awards including the 2020 AIA LA Gold Medal.
Michael has been past president of AIA LA and is active on the Board of local housing agencies for the homeless.
https://www.lehrerarchitects.com/project/chandler-tiny-home/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JieScoc1vshttps://globaldesignnews.com/michael-b-lehrer-constructs-the-7-3m-tiny-home-village-on-leftover-plots-in-los-angeles-as-an-urban-micro-homes-development-to-house-200-homeless-residents-in-the-most-colorful-environment/https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/michael-lehrer-los-angeles-house-article
Discussions with Bede Laracy, Raumati Community Board Chair, and Sophie Handford, Paekakariki / Paraparaumu Ward Councillor.
Both at Kapiti Coast District Council.
We discuss ‘Our Vision for Raumati’: a facilitated exploration of local urban initiatives for people and place.
This is a dynamic voice of local residents and describes a future vision of their local township, within a coastal district from hills to sea.
A successful public survey culminated in masterful cartographic imagery, communicating multiple ideas and concepts, with purpose for immediate and long-term action.
Iris Gramegna, Senior Urban Designer at Isthmus. (A Landscape, Urban Design, Architecture practice in Aotearoa NZ).
She describes her work as designing for people and places, in the geography and landscape of her new home in the Pacific.
"I like to work at the minus one stage of a project—understand and explore the problem, purpose, place, and (most importantly) people. To then set up a brief that has a meaningful outcome not just an output. Having come from abroad I’m excited to discover Aotearoa; meet and work with people to shape unique spatial experiences."
Aidan Hart iconographer and fresco artist.
He discusses the collaborative joy in designing the anointing screens for the King’s Coronation and his work and history as a former Orthodox monk at Mt Athos and his former Shropshire Hermitage.
He discusses the influences of church architecture on his liturgical works, including at Westminster Abbey. We also talk urban design, beauty, and community.
Anna Carter, Senior Planning Consultant, LandMatters Ltd, Otaki, describes in depth the work of LandMatters and their successful collaboration and innovation across stakeholders in land and urban development projects.
A range of topical National Policy Statements are discussed including Freshwater; Highly Productive Land; Biodiversity.
Social housing is highlighted and also medium and high density housing standards and what these proposed rules mean for our townships today.
Also covered: the concept of Te Mana o te Wai which is Te Atiawa’s commissioned Statement of Cultural Values; Ki Uta ki Tai which is the successful Kapiti template of the Mountains to the Sea awa concept; and Three Waters.
Rosalind Derby discusses with Catherine Scullin the Disrupt online International Women in Architecture Symposium on March 8 International Womens Day.
This is combined with an experience as a public attendee, at a local government council Strategy and Growth meeting.
Ben Katuin retired landscaper in Levin, describes his busy decades as landscape head across city boroughs in the Netherlands.
He practiced through all of the developments in modern landscaping from the 50s–80s and describes in vivid detail the life of a thoughtful and responsible landscaper.
He discusses the famous 70’s Dutch ‘woonerf’ streets for people schemes, which are relevant for streetscape design today.
Susi White, Owner of Lavender Creek Farm in Te Horo and member of the Mirek Smisek Arts Trusts discusses the restoration project of the historic Smisek beehive kilns and the creation of a hub for ceramic arts.
The creation of this new visitor destination includes the restoration of the historic Te Horo railway station and care for the surrounding bush walks.
Lavender Creek Farm is also discussed as a visitor destination
David Mills Co-director of Mills Albert Ltd, a family-owned infrastructure contracting company in Kapiti.
David discusses engineering detail in drainage construction projects and conveys the love of land and water resources that is embedded in their design, management, and implementation processes.
They value their people and community and are leaders in employment diversity and career opportunities.
Mills Albert Ltd local kaitiakitanga of our tangata whenua and our awa.
Nick Mouat, architect for new Mahara Gallery, discusses the design and construction of this new project from Athfield Architects, Wellington. This exciting reuse and new build, currently under construction in Waikanae, will be an absolute winner for locals and visitors alike. The skeletal structure is already full of potential, as a new community building, with meaning and purpose and a catalyst for the new use of adjacent public space.
Tanya and Rosalind dissect Tanya’s hometown, Levin. A regional, market town that reveals more than a drive through the main street, suggests. Every scale of architecture and industry is flourishing across the broad Horowhenua Plains. We talk retail, residential, factory, and warehouse all within the rural backdrop between the Tararua Ranges and the coastal wetlands of Hokio Beach
Neil Cotton; Consultant ASC Architects in Auckland NZ, discusses their design and construction of Coastlands Aquatic Centre: Kapiti's very own piece of parametric architecture, with its pillows of transparent ETFE foil roof. The same system was used in China for their Olympic Stadium.
Neil entertains. with a journey through his career in 70's, 80's, 90's Auckland through till now. A highlight was his renovation and additions to Birkenhead's Chelsea Sugar Refinery, the iconic salmon pink assembly of buildings, set in their glorious grounds, sloping down into Auckland Harbour.
Anna Colville-Smith of ACS Marketing, discussing her focus on places for people in her work across the scale, from Mega Malls in the Gold Coast QLD and back home to NZ with her awareness and experience of placemaking, as a member of Placemaking Aotearoa.
Phillip has built in the most wildly, fascinating landscapes throughout Australia and for two of the nation's most legendary architects. Phillip is dedicated to building, architecture, and telling great stories.
The magazine vividly documents the life and times of the inner-city neighborhood of Uptown – Mt Eden / Eden Terrace / Upper Symonds Street areas.
Discussions include ‘community visioning’ workshops / the development of the huge City Rail Link development / collective housing / local architects / repurposing heritage buildings as music studios / community gardens and a church restoration
Dr Kay Flavell, from San Francisco, discusses her latest book: ‘People of the Lane’, her 100 years of oral histories from the neighborhood of Lark Lane in Liverpool.
Kay, a master storyteller herself, allows the people to tell theirs. City streets, 19th-century park design, urban activism, and social history within everyday architecture.
Executive Director: ReBuilding Center: Oregon
The history of the ReBuilding Center as the home of ‘Deconstruction’ of building sites, and its evolution as a learning and training center for reuse and repurposing of building materials. Advocacy for home maintenance training, particularly for low-income families, to educate for healthy and durable homes.
BOB ZUUR: PHOTOGRAPHER: ‘MOMENTS OF LIGHT’; Paekakariki
Photographing buildings for architecture presentations; and collaborative projects with photographic artist Joseph Michael:
‘Antarctica: While You Were Sleeping’
https://www.joemichael.co.nz/antarctica.
https://youtu.be/iaC4PUivJAU
The photographic story of the life and death of an iceberg, lighting the walls of the Dominion Museum, Auckland, Aotearoa, and the UN Buildings NYC, ahead of UN’s Climate Action Summit September 2019
Kate Mackness.
Lecturer, Planning, Waikato University. Planning concepts and education with her research into the 20 Minute City
Steelmakers for all architecture structural requirements, general engineering and everything in between
Darren and Sharon Hunter entertain us with their many stories of exciting and passionate work over the decades, based on the Kapiti Coast
Ruth discusses her experiences with three architects participating in creating her restaurant, catering and events businesses.
Simon comes back to us, discussing the construction of his local housing development at Paraparaumu. Recorded remotely, including all the drama
of lockdown for a busy construction site
Hugh Tennent of Tennent Brown Architects has been the architect for the new
buildings at Te Wananga o Raukawa in Otaki for some years. His understanding of the learning culture for the local iwi at Otaki and also a theological project in Taranaki is broad in serving his design approach.
A discussion with Sam Trubridge on the origins of his successful Performance Arcade
as part of the NZ Arts Festival
Simon Wallace co-housing developer: Lotus Eco Village
Simon charts the journey of concept to tender of his co-housing development at
Lotus Yoga Centre
Journeys discovering architecture and politics after travel to Brisbane, Noosa,
Singapore and Malacca
Rosalind’s upcoming trip to Queensland and Asia
Rosalind discussing her upcoming trip to Noosa Queensland, around the book ‘The
Shaping of Noosa’ by architect and previous Mayor, Michael Gloster and travel to
PNG, Singapore and Malacca
Rosalind Derby reads from interview with architects John Scott and
Ming Ching – Fan
Rosalind reading from ‘Landfall’ Journal 1973: recorded interview with architects
John Scott and Ming Ching-Lan: how similar are the housing concerns then and now
Rosalind Derby at Ramp Fest and National Library
Rosalind reporting back for Ramp Design Festival at Gallaher Hub, Wintec, Hamilton
and attendance at NZIA’s public meeting at the National Library in support of
restoring Wellington Public Library building designed in the 90’s by Athfield
Architects
Christmas Special: Nick Bevin discusses Futuna Chapel, Karori, Wellington NZ
designed by the late architect John Scott
Nathan Rooney, Director Space Architecture discusses his role as Board Member:
Architectural Designers NZ and the value of ADNZ to members nationwide
Karen Wrigglesworth, describing life as an Engineer Writer in the Christchurch red
zone, post-earthquake
Christmas Special: Corinne discusses the varied therapy spaces in her garden for
Kapiti Neurotherapy and how beautifully constructed spaces assist in therapy
practice.
Discussion on the architecture of Te Papa Tongarewa Museum of New Zealand,
Wellington, designed by Jasmax
Discussion with Colin Harwood of Omega Aluminium Kapiti, winner WGANZ Glazing
Award for Visitor Centre Queen Elizabeth Park
Queen Elizabeth Park Visitor Centre, by Gil-Plans Architecture;
Coastlands Aquatic Centre, by ASC Architects;
Kapiti Health Centre, by Stephenson and Turner
Foxton’s Museum: Te Awahou Nieuwe Stroom, by Pete Bosley.
Horowhenua District Council Building, by Design Group New Zealand.
Palmerston North’s Civic Administration Building, by Maurice and John Patience
Architects