Chris Barton

In the mind’s eye

People | Chris Barton considers OpenAI’s latest offering, Sora, and its ability to render real worlds into existence.

Everyone’s a critic

People | Chris Barton reports on the World Architecture Festival 2023 and some inspirational projects transforming people’s lives.

Editorial: Anatomy of a sinkhole

People | A 100-year old broken pipe leading to catastrophic waste-water contamination in the Waitematā raises concerns for how Watercare will manage our biggest city’s aging drains.

Impervious vs absorbent

People | Chris Barton looks at the need for ‘sponge city’ and water-sensitive urban design to make our cities safe.

Design like a parrot

People | Chris Barton considers the existential threat of AI — from the ‘stochastic parrot’ functionality of ChatGPT, to text-to-image generators and the daunting implications of AI’s evolution.

Mind the gap

People | Chris Barton contends the role of the architect is due some evolution amidst our climate crisis.

After the floods

People | Editor Chris Barton writes on the expected frequency of extreme weather in New Zealand and outlines why the profession needs to make climate change its focus.

Rethinking awards

Review | Chris Barton wonders when the profession will fully address the urgent imperatives facing the industry.

Oh God, I hate this

Review | Chris Barton considers King Charles III’s influence on architecture to date and finds it’s not all bad.

Grandstand living

Projects | Chris Barton visits Alexandra Park, by RTA Studio and DJRD Architects, and explores the art of apartment dwelling beside a racecourse.