November 29th, 2010
Sometimes finding the right architect for your project can be a daunting task with many amazing talents out there! Thankfully, there is a new website set up to help you with this process.
Talk to an Architect is provided to help you take a confident first step towards participating in a highly creative, collaborative, and rewarding process with your architect. They’ll even help you get the conversation started.
November 29th, 2010
The NZIA have provided a submission on the Government’s a submission on the Government’s discussion document “Building Competitive Cities”. The submission reflects a number of the concepts highlighted in the Shaping our Places Manifesto for the Build Environment.
It is encouraging that the Government is looking at the idea of a Government Architect, as mentioned in the discussion document. NZIA believes that having such expertise within Government would contribute towards much better design decisions which all the research shows ultimately has economic, social, cultural, and environmental benefits for communities and cities.
To download a copy of this discussion document, visit the NZIA’s website or alternately download a copy of the document (PDF) here.
July 30th, 2010
Here’s what I said in my opening speech at the Local Government conference earlier this week:
“We are living through very interesting times. But the outcome will be that this great place, built in an extraordinary natural setting, will become a truly great international city within the next decade and beyond.
Simply requiring that all future built development will reflect the stunning quality of the natural environment will start to transform this city, and local peoples’ pride in it. But much remains to be done. “
I am really impressed with the quality of some recent developments in Auckland. Two of them –Ironbank on Karangahape Rd, and the refurbished De Bretts Hotel in High Street- won Urban Design Awards from the City recently.
But just as important are the upgrades of public space that have also been undertaken, like St Patricks Square, and like Queen Street and many other recent contributions dotted around the city. These all show the great potential of our creative community. Together, great buildings, great streets and public spaces, and transformational projects like an integrated waterfront development will combine to transform this extraordinary city.
As we grow and change though we have to do a far better job of preserving our heritage. I believe we’ve made good progress in increasing protection for our built heritage –far too much of which we have already lost- and we are taking steps now to do a better job of preserving the volcanic cones and other aspects of our cultural heritage.
So I see the quality of our built environments matching and as valued as our extraordinary natural environment.
The Spatial plan will be one of the main focuses of the Mayoral Office. This Plan for the future of Auckland must embody our aspirations for a stunning city that protects its unique heritage and the quality of life of the many different communities that make Auckland so unique.
I would like to see the principle of good urban design under-pinning the Spatial Plan and everything that new Council does. We need to set an example with the Council’s own activities (including the hugely significant impacts of the Transport and Waterfront Development CCOs) and roll out an “urban Design Panel” approach across the whole region to ensure the best possible outcomes city wide.
During future Resource Management Act reviews I will be lobbying Central Government to ensure sufficient weighting is given to Urban Design Panel recommendations in the future regulatory environment.
I am exploring the concept being advocated by the NZIA at a central Government level of a “City Architect” charged with advising the Mayor on architecture and design. I will ensure that the design and architecture communities are engaged on issues like the integrated plan for the waterfront.
I am committed to seeing more resources for protecting our heritage, including our volcanic cones and buildings. I am also supportive of bringing a historic ferry –like the Kestrel, currently in Tauranga- back to the Waitemata Harbour. Preserving the uniqueness and character of places from Wellsford to Maraetai will be critical to the success of the new Council. Initiatives such as restoring the historic ferry run from Onehunga to Waiuku could help to revitalise town centres like Waiuku and add to the region’s tourism offering.
Council must set an example with its own projects that build better places. This requires resources but over time there needs to be a programme rolled out across a Greater Auckland that sees upgrades in all town centre that need them. Apart from Council setting an example and leading the way, there needs to be a fair regulatory regime in place that encourages good design and incentivises developments that help to create to a better city. The regulatory regime –reflected in the Spatial Plan- needs to be complemented by financial and time incentives where appropriate (for example for heritage retention or eco-friendly buildings or quality architecture) and by non-financial assistance in the form of advice and information. We need a Council and a community culture that actively looks for solutions and delivering the best outcomes for the city. We have to recognise that Council is only one party in building a fantastic city, however, and that private owners and communities also have a role in ensuring that we build a city that we can all be proud of.
July 14th, 2010
My vision for Auckland is that it be seen as the success story of the South Pacific. In the mind of New Zealanders- the city of choice as a place to work and live; in the mind of tourists-the premier holiday destination.
This is achieved by making quality decisions that deliver long term results. It is achieved in co-operation with citizens not by simply telling them what to do. Auckland needs to pursue excellence in lifestyle and enterprise.
Buildings and spaces are an important part of our urban identity. They directly support both lifestyle and enterprise. My vision for Auckland does therefore include ideas (that may well become policies) in respect on planning and urban design.
I would firstly say that I am not a planner, architect or other “expert”. I find it necessary therefore to start by saying that my starting policy is to take advice from those who are experts. I am going to rely on experts, not just my own opinion.
An example of how to do things the wrong way is the leaky homes disaster. Again and again architects raised concern about the likely problems of untreated timber and non-cavity building systems. If Government had taken the advice of experts at the coal face we could have limited the problem instead of ending up with a national disaster. Let’s not have to learn that lesson a second time.
My second policy relates to the now statutory requirement for a long term spatial plan for the city which will set the broad outline of how areas will develop. My view is that this be a relatively “big picture” document, flexible in nature without dictating detail or being unnecessary prescriptive on planning. I see requirements and guidelines are inevitably going to need to adjust anyway to a fast growing city with technology, transport options, and human preferences changing ever more quickly. I prefer not to inhibit creativity of architects and designers and would rather see projects assessed on their relevant merit instead of conforming to a prescriptive code.
With the above said, I do however believe heritage is worth preserving and support direct development/design controls in key heritage areas.
The first and major “mechanism” is to promote a forum of experts (Architects, planners etc.). I prefer an inclusive leadership style and I see the spatial plan especially as a document that needs input from experts first and foremost. It’s about listening and adopting the best ideas. I have no bias against taking good ideas from the private sector.
With regards to heritage buildings, I expect that partnerships with organisations such as the Historic Places Trust will continue.
In respect of funding there will be a need for the incoming council to assess and determine funding priorities. I envisage there will be tight fiscal restraints and some difficult choices to make. It is too early to say exactly what funding will be committed to what activities at this stage.
Above all else there is a need to have an “open door” for input from those that know the industry and work within it. If the city can work with the NZIA and other professional bodies it will be far more effective.
July 1st, 2010
Many people need incentive to do menial tasks. Earlier in the year, we posted a blog on how transforming a set of stairs in a subway gave people the incentive to use them rather than take the escalator.
Here is another example of how by making something as little as using a rubbish bin fun, can make a whole lot of difference.
“To throw rubbish in the bin instead of onto the floor shouldn’t really be so hard. Many people still fail to do so. Can we get more people to throw rubbish into the bin, rather than onto the ground, by making it fun to do? See the results here.”
June 22nd, 2010
A MAYORAL CONVERSATION WITH INTERNATIONAL URBAN DESIGN EXPERT -
JAN GEHL of GEHL Architects, Copenhagen
In 2008, Jan Gehl, the world’s leading expert in urban design, was commissioned by the Urban Design group at Auckland City Council to undertake the first ever Public Life Survey to assess the condition of public life in the Auckland city centre.
This research involved cross council and inter agency sponsorship and was completed by a team of passionate cross regional volunteers.
Jan will be presenting the findings of this research held in May of this year, highlighting the current condition of the public realm in Auckland, the bold steps taken to begin the transformation of the city and the further interventions that will assist in the completion of this paradigm shift.
Date: Monday 5 July
Time: 5.00pm – 5.30pm Welcome Drinks
5.30pm Presentation
Venue: Aotea Centre, Lower NZI Room
RSVP: Wednesday 30 June 2010
Click here for more information on past mayoral conversations speakers.
June 3rd, 2010
The City of Charlotte won the Policies & Regulations category for the 2009 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement.
As the central city in a rapidly growing metropolitan area, Charlotte is under intense development pressures. Rather than continue the automobile-dominated development patterns of the last 50 years, Charlotte adopted Urban Street Design Guidelines to make walking, bicycling, and transit more appealing and make the city more attractive and sustainable.
Interesting ideas for our local governments to look at.
May 31st, 2010
The Dominion Post, 27 May 2010
Wellington has been pipped by Auckland in a global survey to find the world’s most livable city.
Auckland was ranked in the world’s top five cities, holding steady at 4th position and scoring 107.4 points, on par with Vancouver. Wellington held its position from last year at 12th place, with 105.9 points.
The Mercer’s 2010 Quality of Living Survey, which covered 221 cities, was based on 39 criteria including socio-economic, environmental, health, education, and transport.
Cities were compared to New York as the base city, with an index score of 100. New Zealand and Australian cities were attractive destinations for overseas expatriates, it found. Vienna was ranked as the city with the world’s best quality of living. Baghdad came in at the bottom of the table.
Top 20 cities: Quality of living ranking
1. Vienna
2. Zurich
3. Geneva
4. Vancouver
5. Auckland
6. Dusseldorf
7. Frankfurt
8. Munich
9. Bern
10. Sydney
11. Copenhagen
12. Wellington
13. Amsterdam
14. Ottawa
15. Brussels
16. Toronto
17. Berlin
18. Melbourne
19. Luxembourg
20. Stockholm
Although, two New Zealand cities being ranked in the top 20 out of 221 cities world wide isn’t something to scoff about. To read more in relation to this article, visit the DomPost website here.
May 20th, 2010
Scale Architecture have thought outside the box, and then put it straight back in again! In Sydney’s central city, these architects have concealed a forest within a forgotten alley.
“As part of a series of temporary urban art interventions taking place in the City of Sydney, The Infinity Forest is a green oasis amongst the hard, vertical walls of Penfold’s and Hosking Place.”
“In the space between fire escapes, vehicle ramps and back door entrances, you will come upon tough timber walls that conceal a forest within. Entering this intimate urban living room, you discover yourself captured in an infinite view of a silver birch forest, where you can pause and reflect on the city above.”
This is an interesting way to put a little green back into the concrete jungles. Maybe our councils could set up a similar urban art exhibition?
View the original blog on the Archdaily website here.
May 4th, 2010
Shaping Our Places is pleased to hear that the Green Party has welcomed the new report by the Public Health Advisory Committee (PHAC) calling for an urgent need to consider health in urban planning.
The PHAC, which provides independent public health advice to the Minister of Health, released a report Friday that highlights the urgency of designing urban areas in ways that promote – not impede – good health.
Kevin Hague, Green Party spokesperson for health and active transport said that the report, Healthy Places, Healthy Lives: Urban environments and wellbeing, provides detailed evidence about the strong link between poor urban design and poor health, and the large burden that puts on our communities and health services.
“This report is right in line with Green Party Urban and Transport policies, which recognise the linkages between urban design, transport and good health,” said Mr Hague. “Better urban planning and transport policy can reverse the alarming trend of increasing obesity and chronic diseases by providing everyday opportunities to be active.”
The report states that increasing sustainable transport, i.e., walking, cycling and public transport, reduces road accidents, which in 2008 were estimated to cost New Zealand $3.8 billion. This would give New Zealand enormous opportunity to improve health outcomes and cut down the road toll through smarter urban planning.
The Green Party believes that, John Key’s Government is doing the exact opposite at the moment, by cutting funds for active transport and spending up large on motorways, which will reduce sustainable transport choices for Kiwis, and result in more urban sprawl.
“Better urban and transport planning is a no-brainer. It is a cost-effective way of tackling the health challenges we face, and will result in a higher quality of life for New Zealanders,” said Mr Hague
April 27th, 2010
Hamilton city councillor, Dave Macpherson has put up a list of Hamilton’s ugliest and nicest buildings on his personal blog site. This has gained the backing of one of Hamilton’s top architects, NZIA Waikato/Bay of Plenty branch chair, Andrew Bydder.
Mr Macpherson is inviting Hamilton residents to nominate the city’s least beautiful buildings in attempt to generate debate and influence future designs.
“Function is the most important, but part of function, but part of function, particularly for commercial buildings, is how you engage with the people around you. Good design should achieve both, and it’s not difficult.”
Those listed on the ‘ugly list’ include the Farmers retail store at the Base and also the Warehouse building in central Hamilton. While the designs that are more pleasing on the eye include The Verandah Café at the Hamilton Lake and the city’s Transport Centre.
Mr Macpherson’s campaign follows that of fellow city councillor, Gordon Chesterman who launched the city’s first ugly buildings awards, aimed at highlighting poor urban design, in 2007.
For more on this story, visit the the Waikato Times website.
April 21st, 2010
A brilliant new Chinese innovation, get on and off the train without it stopping!
No time is wasted. The bullet train is moving all the time. If there are 30 stations between Beijing and Guangzhou , just stopping and accelerating again at each station will waste both energy and time.
A mere 5 min stop per station (elderly passengers cannot be hurried) will result in a total loss of 5 min x 30 stations or 2.5 hours of train journey time!
Thanks to interest.co.nz.
April 20th, 2010
Image: The Beaumont Quarter project in Auckland – Studio Pacific Architecture
The 2010 New Zealand Architecture Award winners were announced last week. The urban design category showing an amazing array of modern ideas.
Excerpt from press release:
“The Beaumont Quarter project in Auckland won an urban design award for Studio Pacific Architecture and was praised as “a great result from a developer-driven project”.
The “sculptural” Liardet Street Overpass in New Plymouth, by Boon Goldsmith Bhaskar Brebner Team Architecture, was considered a “fine example of what is possible when a local council decides to go down a design-driven route”.
Judges evaluated entries against criteria including the relationship of a building to its site and context, design quality, building form, structure and spatial qualities. User satisfaction and environmental aspects were also taken into account.
The main consideration for the judges in assessing projects is how well a project resolves key design issues and then builds on this solution to “contribute to the advancement of architecture”.
The New Zealand Architecture Awards were established to celebrate the innovation, creativity and excellence of projects nationwide.”
The winning projects will now be considered for the 2010 New Zealand Architecture Medal, to be announced in May. Only one Medal may be awarded each year.
To read the full press release click here.
April 12th, 2010
Coming up in April and beyond, there are a number of exciting conferences and events that have an urban design focus.
Auckland:
Wellington:
Christchurch:
National Seminars:
April 9th, 2010
April 7 of each year marks the celebration of World Health Day. This year, World Health Day focused on urbanisation and its effect on individual and global health.
As the rate of people living in urban areas increases rapidly, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has highlighted a prime example of a city not using adequate urban planning and design and the health risk this puts its people at.
Manilla, 7 April 2010: The World Health Organization (WHO) said today that continued population growth in cities in the Western Pacific will have damaging consequences for human health, particularly for the poor, unless urgent steps are taken to tackle health risks for people who live in cities.
“Many cities in the Western Pacific have grown too fast and too randomly,” said Dr Shin Young-soo, WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific. “Millions of people already live in urban slums or near-slums where disease is a serious threat. With the projected rise in urban populations across the Region, the health risks will also rise if insufficient attention is paid to planning and implementation of healthy urban practices and infrastructure.”
Rapid and unplanned urbanization increases human vulnerability to poverty, disease and natural disasters. Of all the Regions, the Western Pacific Region experiences the most natural hazards and disasters.
Random facts from the WHO:
With New Zealand’s population currently estimated to be over 4.3 million people and projected to eclipse 5 million by the mid 2020’s, shouldn’t we be ensuring that our local and national government are a making a conscious effort to ensure that the health and wellbeing of our urban populations are being considered during urban expansion?
March 24th, 2010
Picture: Shanghai Corporate Pavilion
Shanghai is hosting the 2010 World Expo. The theme is “Better City, Better Life,” representing the common wish of the whole humankind for a better living in future urban environments. Sub themes include: urban cultural diversity; urban economic growth and prosperity; innovation in science and technology in urban contexts; remodelling urban communities and interaction between urban and rural areas.
Dedicating 5.28 square kilometres at the core of the city to exhibitions, events and forums on the theme, Shanghai hopes to build a powerful and lasting pilot example of sustainable and harmonious urban living. It has ‘become an important stage for people of all countries to sum up their historical experiences, exchanges and wisdom and anticipate future development’.
Opening on May 31 2010, Shanghai is expecting a record number of visitors totalling over 70 million. 200 participants from all over the globe are expected to showcase their works. The Expo is running until the end of October 2010.
March 17th, 2010
An Englishman’s home may be his castle – but in Ray Barker’s case it’s a converted broom cupboard measuring 11ft by 5.5ft. But location is everything, and thanks to its coveted spot opposite Harrods in Knightsbridge, the miniature pad has been valued at £200,000. And it’s just right for Mr Barker, who uses the tiny space to sleep in, thus avoiding a lengthy commute between Bath and Chiswick.
The 49-year-old bought the pokey space for £120,000 four years ago, the Mirror reported. He said: ‘I do the cleaning while lying in my sofa bed. In fact, I can wash up, answer the door, make a cuppa and go to the loo all at the same time.’
The flat’s two rooms measure 60.5sq ft (compared to a 72sq ft snooker table) and has a toilet, a shower which doubles up as a wardrobe, and six-inch deep cupboards. It was converted into a living space in 1987 and bought by a secretary for £37,000.
Now worth almost six times as much, selling the flat would enable Mr Barker to put down an offer on 600-year-old Ballyfinboy Castle, which rests on two acres of land in Co. Tipperary, Eire. But he said: ‘My cosy flat is just fine for sleeping. And it’d be a lot harder getting to my job in Chiswick from Ireland.’
For more pictures visit mail online.
March 9th, 2010
Over the coming months are a variety of events around the country planned to open the eyes and the mind.
WELLINGTON, The New Dowse, 30 Jan – 4 April 2010: Long Live the Modern, celebrates twentieth-century architectural initiatives concerned with the new – new technologies, new materials, new forms, new building types, new ways of living – initiatives embedded with the belief that the new would change lives in positive ways.
2010 NZIA APL Graduate Development Programme. Wellington (18 March), Christchurch (19 March), Queenstown (20 March), Auckland (23 March). This is the first round of seminars in the NZIA APL Graduate Development Programme GDP – 2010. The seminars explain the registration requirements and ALL GDP members should attend. There are important up-dates in the registration requirements in 2010, so if you have been to the Introductory Seminars before, it is important that you attend again to make sure you are informed.
AUCKLAND: Urbis Design Day, 20 March 2010: Auckland’s Leading design showrooms collaborate with practitioners from the worlds of fashion, art and architecture. Hurry, as registrations for this close on Wednesday 10 March 2010.
2010 AIA National Architecture Conference: Extra/ordinary, 22-24 April 2010, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre: Registrations are now open for this conference. The extra/ordinary, will dwell on the culture of the extraordinarily ordinary. As an antidote to the incessant abstractions of globalisation, they will be gathering together those who have an enthusiasm for engaging with the contingency of the everyday: inventing new ways of operating; embracing collaborative approaches and initiating direct action on the ground. Producing outcomes that are innovative and utilitarian, provocative and pragmatic. Resolving ordinary problems in extraordinary ways. With a number of international speakers, this conference is looking to ‘reveal a renewed enthusiasm for operating from the bottom up’.
AUCKLAND: New Zealand Architecture Awards Gala Dinner, 14 May 2010: New Zealand architecture’s big night out. The finalists for the New Zealand Architecture Medal will be announced, and the winner named later in the evening. Only one New Zealand Architecture Medal is bestowed each year, in recognition of a single built work. For more information contact Daryne Begbie at awards@nzia.co.nz
NZIA CPD Days: Auckland (14-15 May); Christchurch(17-18 May): For more information click on the link or contact Melanie Robinson at info@fp2.co.nz
February 25th, 2010
On a quiet week day, while on annual leave, I took the opportunity to take in a couple of Wellington’s cultural experiences visiting both the city gallery and Te Papa. Both had architectural exhibits which are worth a look – need to be quick because their time in Wellington is fast coming to an end.
Reactive Architecture: smart buildings respond to the environment takes us into a vision of the future, looking at ways to make buildings more sustainable. The promotional material says:
Some of them look to nature – who would think that a dragonfly’s wing held some possible answers? One explores ‘people power’; several show how buildings can be built to respond to changing weather or even just the comings and goings of people going about their business. And an international design project being worked on here could mean that New Zealand has the first Passive House in the southern hemisphere.
The City Gallery is exhibiting some of the work of Architect Bill Toomath. Underpinning the exhibition is the idea of open planning, illustrated through a small number of selected projects.
Resolved to make modern architecture a habitable reality for New Zealanders, Toomath opened the tightly compartmental houses of the pre-1950s, creating continuous spaces which catered for a more informal style of living. Advances in industrial design, materials and technologies made possible the design of buildings in which innovation and economy are equally important.
February 24th, 2010
Again, another item from the New Urbanism Blog, which looks at street design and how seemingly small details can make the world of difference to how communities experience surroundings. From sound, safety, and general appearance two contrasting approaches are illustrated.