In only its second-ever iteration, the NZ Festival of Architecture will see the opening of doors to buildings, homes and studios across the country from 14th-23rd September. The diverse schedule has something for everyone, from laneway design competitions and speed dates with architects, to architectural debates and district walking tours. Here are some of the highlights.
1. Sir Ian Athfield Memorial Lecture
This year’s international guest, Allison Arieff, will be presenting the Sir Ian Athfield Memorial Lecture in Auckland, Wellington and Queenstown. The San Francisco-based urbanist and design writer for The New York Times is a respected advocate, known for bringing people together “from across the political spectrum to develop solutions to the big problems our cities face.” For a taste of the type of subjects she will cover, you can peruse NYT blog here. Click here for dates and to book.
2. World Parking Day
Sure, the gradual abolishment of personal vehicles in the city centre comes with a fair share of frustrations, but it’s a phenomenon that is happening all over the world. On Friday 21st September, (aka World Parking Day) public car parks in cities throughout the world and all over NZ will be taken over as architects and other designers use their imaginations to transform spaces normally reserved for cars into people-friendly environments. All day, various venues around Auckland. More info to come.
3. Future Auckland by Warren Mahoney
If you are keen to hear from the creative minds behind two of Auckland’s most game-changing projects; Commercial Bay and the New Zealand International Convention Centre, this is the event for you. Architects Blair Johnston and Richard Archbold will be joined by Auckland Design Champion Ludo Campbell-Reid and festival director Jeremy Hansen as MC, as they discuss the future of Auckland City. 6pm, Friday 21st September, register to attend here.
4. Housing the Homeless
More than a decade in the making, the Auckland City Mission’s bold new project to house the homeless is about to be realised. City Missioner Chris Farrelly will join architect Nicholas Stevens in conversation with Jeremy Hansen as they discuss the long genesis of this important building and how it is being designed to change the lives of the people who inhabit it. 3pm, Sunday, 16th September, register to attend here.
5. Speed Date an Architect
Has your DIY venture turned out to be disastrous? Or, are you just wondering how to circumvent some of your home’s trickier aspects? Held in Hamilton on Tuesday 18th September, Speed Date an Architect will serve you up a 10-minute mini-consultation with an architect. Bring photos, plans and DIY disaster stories along to get things started. 4.30-6.30pm, Bill Gallagher Centre, Event Room 1, Hamilton.
