With the final unveiling of the winning solutions for the Outer Tee being announced next week, at a breakfast function on 4th November, it is time that we looked at what might actually be likely to win.

There were, sadly, not many really serious solutions. Lots of lovely stuff from the children of the city, which are great on visionary talent, but low on drawing capability, and if we take the childrens’ submissions and the results of our poll to the right, then we’d have to say: build a Roller Coaster, build a Ferris Wheel, and that by and large, Girls (and boys) Just Wanna Have Fun.

But on a more serious side, what really might be worthy of winning? My guess is that anything that builds a large structure in the middle of the viewshaft will not get through. The public has fought so long and hard for those viewshafts from the city to the sea, and WWL know better than to do away with them at this stage. So, good as it may be, this one here just ain’t going to get through:

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So this week not only do we have YouTube talking heads – but the real thing will be at a lecture theatre near you soon. Read the rest of this entry »

Apologies for the very very late notice … but tonight the always charming Daniele Abreu e Lima will be giving a lecture on Brasilia. Read the rest of this entry »

Green and TED: two fashions we can’t compete with. Here’s Norman Foster “Building on the Green Agenda” – past, present and future … Read the rest of this entry »

If you wanted to see the latest Pecha Kucha night in Wellington, then : apologies, because you’ve just missed it. I presume that you know what I’m on about? If not, then go here and discover all about it. A global phenomenom by now, running periodically in 248 cities now, it was Wellington’s turn tonight (and a mix of San Jose, Maastrict, Norrkoping, Orange County, San Diego, Aalen, Columbia and Denver tomorrow night, and Beirut, Charleston, Ghent and Nelson the next night). That’s possibly the only thing that Beirut, Charleston, Ghent and Nelson have in common. Yes, they have PK in Nelson now – apparently even in Hamilton. There truly are no limits now.

But tonight was special – of course – because it was in Wellington. Pecha Kucha, known for its egaliterian treatment of all and sundry, with 20 seconds for each of 20 slides, treats every one and every image the same. The line-up tonight was Read the rest of this entry »

Recently, the Architectural Centre gained registration as a Charity, dedicated to undertaking education and promoting architecture as a key concern. We’ve always been a non-profit organisation since day 1 – but now, having confirmed our Charitable status, we can confirm that any money donated to us will allow you, the donor, to claim back tax on that. There is a minimum amount – we’ll check on what that is – but if you keep your receipt, you can claim the tax back at the end of the year. We’ll keep you posted.

That obviously goes for any work we do in helping to rebuild Samoa. As we have no employed staff, any money you donate to Samoa via us, will reach Samoa, 100%. We’re still looking at the best way we can help the tsunami victims rebuild over there, and continue to gain support from a number of organisations. More anouncements coming soon.

Another week another icon. This time French. Light, furniture, solidity, dialogue and tradition … Read the rest of this entry »