Architecture Week 2016

The theme for Architecture Week 2016 is ‘Housing the Future’, and there will be events running in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington from 19 to 25 September 2016.

These are a few of our picks from the week:

KEYNOTE SPEAKER – STUART HARRISON

This year’s Architecture Week keynote speaker is Stuart Harrison, an Australian architect and widely published writer on design, architecture and urbanism. Stuart is a director of the award-winning, Melbourne architecture firm Harrison and White (HAW) and a member of SLASH Projects, which recently won a design competition for a site at the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Stuart’s work ranges across housing, education, recreational, institutional and commercial architecture, and master planning and urban design. Across his career, he has developed significant expertise in ways of adapting existing buildings to new uses.

He consults across Australia on design review and project formation, has taught at RMIT and Monash University, was co-founder and host of ‘The Architects’ on Melbourne’s 3RRR radio, and is the author of two very good books on housing.

Auckland: Monday 19 September, 6-7pm
AUT University, Sir Paul Reeves Building, 55 Wellesley St East, main lecture theatre; Free entry

Wellington: Wednesday 21 September, 5.30-6.30pm
City Gallery, 101 Wakefield St, Wellington; Free entry

Christchurch: Thursday 22 September, 6-7pm
Christchurch Arts Centre, Great Hall, 2 Worcester Blvd, Christchurch Central; Free entry

WGTN: ARCHITECTURE DISRUPTORS

Join a free public conversation with teams of progressive young Wellington designers who are disrupting the way architecture is traditionally delivered. The panel includes award-winning First Light Studio, Makers of Architecture and Thesis students at Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture.

Solutions to New Zealand’s ‘housing crisis’ cannot be delivered with a situation-normal approach: one house, built by one builder built over one year. These practitioners are completely re-thinking the delivery process to enable smarter, greener and faster architecture.

Monday 19 September, 12.30-1.30pm
City Gallery Wellington, Civic Square; Free entry (no ticket required).

Brought to you by PrefabNZ. More information here.

AKLD: THE PORTAL – MANUKAU/WYNYARD QUARTER

Auckland’s ambition to become ‘the world’s most liveable city’ hinges on the vibrancy and culture of the city’s hubs. However, sometimes these hubs grow independently and at different speeds. Through the creation of a digital portal between Manukau Civic Square and Silo Park at Wynyard Quarter, this installation hopes to establish stronger connections between Auckland’s communities.

‘The Portal’ is a place to showcase activities at both locations, to exchange ideas, concerns or initiatives, and start a discussion on how we can strengthen our city by improving relationships between central and south Auckland.

Monday 19 – Sunday 25 September
Manukau Civic Square and Silo 6 Gallery, Wynyard Quarter
Free event.

Brought to you by The Roots.

AKLD: RESENE PROFESSIONAL EVENT

Architecture and design industry professionals are invited to join Resene for colourful interactive entertainment, light refreshments and the launch of a range of ‘on-trend’ paint hues – fashion colours to provide inspiration for those designing Auckland’s future housing. 

Tuesday 20 September, 5.30pm-10.00pm
Orange Coronation Hall, 147 Newton Road
Free entry; booking required.

WGTN: WATERFRONT DISCOVERY TOUR

Join a guided walking tour of architectural icons on Wellington’s own waterfront. The tour begins at 11am at Waitangi Park, with architectural commentary by Wraight and Associates and Athfield Architects, before departing to Clyde Quay Wharf, a new apartment development designed by Athfield Architects.

The Wellington Sculpture Trust will talk while you walk past the artworks on the way to Studio Pacific Architecture’s One Market Lane, followed by insights by Architecture+ into the design of the Wharewaka Building. At around 4pm, the tour concludes at another Studio Pacific project – Wellington’s infamous Crayfish Loos. Grab an ice-cream or coffee along the way – perfect for families.

Saturday 24 September
Tour starts 11am, Waitangi Park; ends 3.45-4pm, Crayfish Loos
Free event.

AKLD: COALITION FOR MORE HOMES TALK

Earlier this year, an organisation called the Coalition for More Homes was formed from a range of parties that might otherwise be considered unlikely bedfellows. The Property Council of New Zealand, The Salvation Army, architecture practices Jasmax and Crosson Architects, Generation Zero and Habitat for Humanity, along with many others, joined together to urge Auckland Council to get on with one thing: “pass the Unitary Plan as received from the Independent Hearings Panel and make it operative in August 2016″.

At this Architecture Week talk, Coalition members will discuss the ambition of the Unitary Plan, assess whether it goes far enough to alleviate Auckland’s housing problem, and outline what characteristics we can expect to see in a denser Auckland city.

Saturday 24 September, 11am
AUT Te Iringa Room (Wave Room) WG308, Auckland CBD
Free event (no ticket required).

AKLD: SANNZ 24 HOUR STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION

Organised and run by the Student Architecture Association of New Zealand (SANNZ), the 24 Hour Design Competition is a chance for architecture students to showcase their creativity, meet fellow students, most importantly, have a great time.

The event runs from 5pm, Friday 23 through to the evening of Saturday 24. As with last year’s competition, there will be a “surprise twist” to this year’s brief. The competition is open to architecture students from Victoria University of Wellington, Unitec and the University of Auckland. Free entry.

Competition launch: 5pm, Friday 23, Sir Paul Reeves Building, AUT University
Main competition venue: Unitec
Competition end: Saturday evening

To register, email the competition organisers your name. 
Registrations close Monday 12 September.

For more information and to see the full range of events, go to architectureweek.co.nz.