The plan for the Ningbo Historic Museum, for example, came to him one night when he could not sleep, he said. He got out of bed and started drawing in pencil: the structure, space sizes, entrance locations and other aspects.

“Then,” he said, “I drank tea.” Read the rest of this entry »

This may have done the rounds already, having originally been published in 2006, but here it is again for those of you who, like me, may have missed it:

Read the rest of this entry »

There is going to be a long period of rebuilding in Christchurch – we all know that. Which is why that the importance of getting the first buildings rebuilt right is vitally important. One of the first proposed rebuilds out of the starting blocks is the Presbyterian Knox Church, which really had the stuffing kicked out of it. Built with a gorgeous native timber roof, which has proved the versatility of timber construction, and reinforcing the stupidity of unreinforced brick construction; when the big February quakes struck, the brick walls simply “fell off” into the street and all that was really left standing was the gothic arched timber roof structure. Timber is like that – it knits together like a net, with lots of small flexible joints. The interior is now exposed and looking brilliant:

Knox Church minister Geoff King said he wanted to make sure that the Read the rest of this entry »

That’s a quote from retiring president of the Cosanti Foundation, one Mr Paolo Soleri. Cosanti Foundation is, of course, the organisation responsible for Arcosanti:

Read the rest of this entry »

With impeccable timing, NZ On Screen have just published the Christchurch episode of The Elegant Shed – to go with the Wellington episode already onsite.

“In this episode of the influential NZ architecture series, dapper tour guide David Mitchell looks at the ‘Christchurch Style’. He begins with the humble baches on Taylor’s Mistake’s cliffs, before focusing on the Euro-influenced brutalism of Miles Warren and the “flamboyant” practice of Peter Beaven (earthquake victims SBS House, and Lyttelton Tunnel’s “fifth ship” are featured); and the cottage’s modern descendent: Don Donnithorne’s post-war home. Warren intriguingly compares his process designing Christchurch Town Hall with Jørn Utzon’s Sydney Opera House.”

Please feel free to share! It’s especially poignant to see many of these buildings featured and discussed post-quake. The title is a part of NZ On Screen’s Christchurch collection.

Thanks to Paul Ward !

Wed 14 March 2012 Jason Whiteley on Herzog & de Meuron
6pm, LT1, School of Architecture, VUW

The lecture will describe Whiteley’s experience designing and coordinating complex, high-profile buildings in New York, Sao Paulo, London and Doha.

Jason Whiteley on Herzog & de Meuron – Public lecture, 6pm 14 March

Jason Whiteley, after five years based in Switzerland and New York City working with renown architects Herzog & de Meuron, will be speaking on 14 March, 6.00 pm at the School of Architecture Design on Vivian Street in Wellington, LT1.

Jason’s public talk will describe his experience designing and coordinating complex, high-profile buildings in New York, Sao Paulo, London and Doha. He will also share insights into the studio culture and methods that continue to fuel one of the most successful and highly regarded architecture practices in the world, observing that;

“…the carefully crafted studio culture of Herzog & de Meuron was central to consistently producing the most extraordinary and sensitive architecture in an amazing variety of settings and conditions”.

Jason Whiteley now leads London-based architecture and furniture design studio Whiteley & Whiteley and is Victoria University of Wellington’s Adjunct-Professor at the School of Architecture & Design. He will visit New Zealand in July and November 2012 as guest critic and design tutor. For more information about Jason and his work, please visit www.whiteleywhiteley.co.uk.

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Please contact Naohiro Mizushima at +44 7776 134 791 or email Naohiro at press@whiteleywhiteley.co.uk for more information on this topic.

This is a free event and open to all who wish to attend on a first come, first served basis.

Wed 8 Feb 2012 Copenhagen: a metropolis for people
5.30 drinks, 6pm lecture, LT1, School of Architecture, VUW

Vida Christeller is a VUW Architectural graduate now working for Copenhagen city planning and urban design. She will present a behind the scenes look at the process behind Copenhagen’s urban design and architecture, how the city wants to develop in the future as well as some interesting current projects and buildings.