In Context at Objectspace
The E-Type House by RTA Studio.
An exploration of the historical, cultural and environmental influences on the design of building typologies in Aotearoa New Zealand comes to Objectspace gallery in Auckland this August.
Curated by Dr Andrew Barrie, Professor of Design at The University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning, In Context will run from August 10 to September 7 and has a focus on architecture as seen through the lens of the award-winning architecture practice, RTA Studio.
“Context is one of architecture’s fundamental concerns, and the exhibition delivers a set of established and emerging approaches,” says Barrie.
The experience will centre on a 3D model of the regions in Aotearoa where RTA Studio projects are located. The top surface will be contoured to depict these coastal, rural, suburban and urban zones stretching from the tank farm on Auckland’s waterfront to the gritty district around Karangahape Road, and from the Victorian charm of Auckland’s inner suburbs to pastoral settings of the central North Island and ultimately the distinctive mountainous spine of the Southern Alps.
The 10-metre-long display forms an imaginary, spliced-together map of New Zealand – the geospatial backdrop to 30 buildings. Each building is presented as a miniature paper model which has been laser printed then assembled by hand.
Within the gallery, a folded plane of paper with a crease that aligns with the axis of the model becomes a metaphorical sky, creating a more intimate spatial experience for visitors.
The team chose to make the display entirely of paper and corrugated cardboard so that the exhibition generates zero waste. Once the show closes, all its elements either return to the studio or are disassembled and put into the recycle bin.
Learn more at objectspace.org.nz.