It’s the start of a new decade (well, a month in already) and I got to thinking - what are the architectural achievements we’ve seen over the last ten years? Were they good for you? Or did they pass by in a miasma of non-events? Te Papa - always a contentious subject - is outside the 10 year cut-off (but even then, would it be nominated as one of the best architectural achievements in NZ?). We’ve had a decade of boom time, in which surely some architectural gems have been created. The NZIA has given literally hundreds of awards all over the country in the last decade - are any of them valid? Has there really been any architectural quality achieved? We’d like you to nominate your favourites inside NZ, from the last ten years. The more the better - and a few descriptive words why you like it would be good too.

The reason I ask is that I’ve just discovered a fantastic new blog, Mammoth, which I was alerted to via the fantastic Bldg Blog - which is my all time favourite. Mammoth has posted a fascinating new post on the best architecture… of the decade. Which means that due to US/European focus, we’re not even on the map. But should we be? Do we have the knife, with which to cut the mustard?

When you go to the Mammoth site, you’ll be intrigued at some of the answers. The net is spread wide - the definition of architecture is loose. We could do the same. Or maybe not? Perhaps, just to be fair, we should restrict this to non-residential buildings, so that sensitive folk in architecturally designed homes don’t get upset by people snooping over their fence. Unless, of course, you’re nominating your own home and don’t mind getting snooped. But I’m keen to see a roll call from around the country, from Invercargill to Cape Reinga, and all stops in between. Over to you….

Opened this week with princely aplomb, the symbol of New Zealand’s self-sufficient justice system, ironically begins its life with Royal approval. More »

You may recall (you should!) the launch of the Long Live the Modern book held by Arch Centre last year.

At long last, after Auckland, Napier, and Christchurch, Wellington (well, Lower Hutt actually) gets to host the touring exhibition. Its at the new Dowse in the Hutt, from 30 January More »

Opening 28 January at the City Gallery will be an exhibition on the long and distinguished career of Wellington architect S William Toomath. The exhibition, Liberating Everyday Life, will provide an overview of Bill Toomath’s work over the many years he has been around.

An early member of the Architectural Centre, still an active member, and still firing on all cylinders now, Bill will be speaking on Thursday night (28 January, 5.15 pm on) at the City Gallery in a discussion labelled “Morals of the Modern: Changing Values of Modern Architecture since Bill Toomath was a Boy”. More »

It’s a bit of an old chesnut but here we go again - lock ‘em up and throw away the keys.  This week it seems that Act and National are convinced that humanity can’t do what architecture is so good at - incarceration.  Their addition to the Sentencing and Parole Reform Bill, if enacted, will mean “no prospect of ever being freed for those convicted of murder or manslaughter.” Such thinking makes architecture the ultimate punishment. More »

‘Kiwi Prefab’ Workshop: Prefabricated Housing in New Zealand
Thursday 25 February 2010
School of Architecture and Design - Victoria University of Wellington

The prefabricated housing industry in New Zealand consists of businesses designing, manufacturing and distributing a range of housing product types, including components, panels, modules and complete buildings. There is great potential for businesses to work together and gain advantages from increased cohesiveness. This industry has been studied in depth by Pamela Bell through a two-year Master of Architecture research program and thesis ‘Kiwi Prefab: Prefabricated Housing in New Zealand’. The resulting outcomes and recommendations form the basis for this ‘Kiwi Prefab’ workshop.

This workshop is an opportunity to formally recognise the wider prefabricated housing industry and potentially develop a holistic outlook for the future. It is also a chance to share successes and challenges, and to learn of new development and marketing opportunities at both domestic and international levels. Please join us to hear the latest research findings, learn more about other members of our industry and discuss how we can work together to increase the uptake of prefabricated housing in New Zealand.
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In March this year the Architecture Centre Network is hosting a one day international symposium at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The symposium will discuss:

·        The role of the regional, city and local leaders in improving design quality
·        Spatial planning and improving public spaces in complex areas
·        Design excellence
·        Built environment education
·        Communicating architecture to a wider public
·        Innovative temporary interventions in the public realm
·        Community participation
·        Collaborative working

For further information visit their website.