New Zealand Architecture Now

Matthew Colloff, an environmental scientist at ANU Fenner School of Environment & Society , is the author of the marvellous book: ‘Landscapes of our Hearts: Reconciling People and Environment’. In this brilliant conversation, he sets us off on a journey of place, country, landscape, urbanism, community, culture, architecture and society. Currently working in public policy, researching and advi...

The inspiring and active Ellen Young is Managing Director of Paper Road: Connecting Community and Place. Based in Whanganui, with her unique previous ‘placemaking’ experience at Whanganui District Council, Ellen is now in a position to lead and advise community co-design processes with local councils in our regions. Her discussion highlights the advocacy processes with councils and communities in...

We speak with Joel Cosgrove, social geographer and core curator of Wellington’s Eyegum Music Collective. We discuss their Welcome to Nowhere festival as placemaking, our urban 3rd spaces and collective public space.  He suggests that much of what we worked on in the past shows more examples than the works of present development. It's time to think back as we think forward. 

French Canadian contemporary artist Micheline Robinson, tells her story of placemaking activism and creativity in Hoylake Town on the Wirral Peninsula, near Liverpool.  In 2009, Micheline, amid renewed growth as an artist, awoke to the declining town quality of Hoylake and the many small towns in the Wirral Borough Merseyside and did something about it. As a leading figure in the focus for this re...

Michael Gloster, discusses the 40-year history of the brilliant Noosa Council in shaping the iconic Noosa coastal district, on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Anyone who is passionate about the coastal environment and human settlement planning, can be enriched by this world-leading urban and regional parks development story. Michael Gloster, author of 'The Shaping of Noosa', is an architect, urban...

Afdel Aziz (The Conspiracy of Love) discusses his groundbreaking documentary ‘The Genius of the Place'. This extraordinarily beautiful film introduces us to Geoffery Bawa and his architecture in Sri Lanka. Bawa (1919 – 2003), recognised as one of the influential architects of the twentieth century, devoted his work to the discovery of a contemporary Sri Lankan sense of place. Afdel’s interview rev...

We meet TreeSpace Kapiti. Viola Palmer, and Geoff Scrase, two members of TreeSpace Kapiti introduce us to this new urban tree advocacy group.  Advocating the importance of tree canopy quality in urban areas for well-being, suburban temperature cooling, and carbon sequestration, they also discuss their latest local planting project, the Miyawaki tiny forest concept. 

An action-packed interview with James Beban, Co-Owner Urban Edge Planning. James advises where NOT to build, as an expert in natural hazard policy formation and research. The multi-disciplinary Urban Edge team describe ‘quality’ as their core principle across all aspects of the firm; Resource Consent Planning / Landscape Architecture and Urban Design / District Plan Policy and Private Plan Changes...

Michael Anistasidis discusses mortgage finance, especially for First Home Buyers. Michael clearly and in straightforward language describes the important work of property finance for his clients, particularly First Home buyers. Michael’s understanding of this country’s property market and the current housing landscape is underpinned by a commitment to service people’s need for a home. Broad brush...

Economist Mary Hedges, fundraising manager for the restoration of Christ Church in Ellerslie,  discusses the ‘hook’ that enabled their highly successful fundraising campaign for this historic restoration. The hook: stained glass windows donated by foremost,  Victorian stained-glass designer and fabricator Alfred Bell of Clayton and Bell.  Mary clearly understood every element of the design report...

Giles Keating, current Owner of Athelhampton – one of the finest Tudor manors in England, dated 1495 and pre-1066. Giles describes his restoration work and their Athelhampton Zero project with Spase Ltd Architects and Surveyors. As a team, clients, architects and suppliers provided an award-winning conversion of a Grade 1 listed estate into becoming carbon neutral. Listen here for restoration stor...

Paula Clarke of Go Architecture in Lower Hutt discusses the business of architecture. Her excellent design studio is managed with well-considered systems and structure, achieving an optimum working environment for her team, clients and colleagues. Business and communication systems and a well-designed office environment support her delivery of high-quality architecture.’

Aidan Hart is a world-renowned iconographer. Aidan discusses his experience designing and installing liturgical works in ancient and modern cathedrals across the world. His understanding of both Islamic and Christian architecture in the provision of his works is profound. Aidan Hart Icons: https://aidanharticons.com/ .

An evocative discussion with Brendan discussing their project near Cairo Egypt for a new 4000-student university. Brendan describes shadow and geometry including the intimacy of sub-ground tombs as his archeological context. The firm won the C40 competition Reinventing Cities for their unbuilt ‘Energy Plug’, a gateway building at Paris Olympics 2024. Brendan’s creative studies originating in Aotea...

Tania Ihlenfeld joins us from London. Tania is the CEO and Founder of Ede Enablers Ltd and the author of Build Success. Both her company and recent book are committed to developing and supporting formidable leaders to deliver impactful, future-fit built environments without compromise.

Michael Lehrer one of Los Angeles’ celebrated, modernist architects With many decades of practice based in Silverlake Hollywood, he gives a vital and clear description of practicing architecture as it happens day to day. His commitment to the craft and the creative process for the well-being of the individual and community clients is enlightening and encourages all in the collaborative act of arch...

Discussions with Bede Laracy, Raumati Community Board Chair, and Sophie Handford, Paekakariki / Paraparaumu Ward Councillor. Both at Kapiti Coast District Council. We discuss ‘Our Vision for Raumati’: a facilitated exploration of local urban initiatives for people and place. This is a dynamic voice of local residents and describes a future vision of their local township, within a coastal district...

Iris Gramegna, Senior Urban Designer at Isthmus. (A Landscape, Urban Design, Architecture practice in Aotearoa NZ). She describes her work as designing for people and places, in the geography and landscape of her new home in the Pacific. "I like to work at the minus one stage of a project—understand and explore the problem, purpose, place, and (most importantly) people. To then set up a brief that...

Aidan Hart iconographer and fresco artist. He discusses the collaborative joy in designing the anointing screens for the King’s Coronation and his work and history as a former Orthodox monk at Mt Athos and his former Shropshire Hermitage. He discusses the influences of church architecture on his liturgical works, including at Westminster Abbey. We also talk urban design, beauty, and community.

Anna Carter, Senior Planning Consultant, LandMatters Ltd, Otaki, describes in depth the work of LandMatters and their successful collaboration and innovation across stakeholders in land and urban development projects. A range of topical National Policy Statements are discussed including Freshwater; Highly Productive Land; Biodiversity. Social housing is highlighted and also medium and high density...

Rosalind Derby discusses with Catherine Scullin the Disrupt online International Women in Architecture Symposium on March 8 International Womens Day. This is combined with an experience as a public attendee, at a local government council Strategy and Growth meeting.

Ben Katuin retired landscaper in Levin, describes his busy decades as landscape head across city boroughs in the Netherlands. He practiced through all of the developments in modern landscaping from the 50s–80s and describes in vivid detail the life of a thoughtful and responsible landscaper. He discusses the famous 70’s Dutch ‘woonerf’ streets for people schemes, which are relevant for streetscape...

Susi White, Owner of Lavender Creek Farm in Te Horo and member of the Mirek Smisek Arts Trusts discusses the restoration project of the historic Smisek beehive kilns and the creation of a hub for ceramic arts. The creation of this new visitor destination includes the restoration of the historic Te Horo railway station and care for the surrounding bush walks. Lavender Creek Farm is also discussed a...

David Mills Co-director of Mills Albert Ltd, a family-owned infrastructure contracting company in Kapiti. David discusses engineering detail in drainage construction projects and conveys the love of land and water resources that is embedded in their design, management, and implementation processes. They value their people and community and are leaders in employment diversity and career opportuniti...

Nick Mouat, architect for new Mahara Gallery, discusses the design and construction of this new project from Athfield Architects, Wellington. This exciting reuse and new build, currently under construction in Waikanae, will be an absolute winner for locals and visitors alike. The skeletal structure is already full of potential, as a new community building, with meaning and purpose and a catalyst f...