ARCHITECTURE POST COVID
Like most , I have been self-isolating which is pleasantly distractionless and leads to thinking not possible in the familiar rat race.
Our collective eradication efforts, together with the development of suitable vaccines ,will eradicate this incredibly contagious little enemy in the not too distant future.
It seems certain that post-Covid social behaviour will be kinder, cleaner ,more people focussed, less selfish and supportive. And more caring about older people. Strange as we feel now, we people of planet earth,are soldiers in a war like no other .
I suspect that in future New Zealanders will be buying local, staying local, and reinforcing the strengths of our immediate neighbourhoods. Hopefully our institutions will we be less beaurocratic. We need to remove useless job activities that make our unemployment figures look good, but are unsustainably non-productive. To re-prioritise our efforts to be more contributory to societies real needs, is a good objective.
Because I am not qualified to discuss changes in social behaviour, I am limiting my thoughts to what may happen to architecture. I would be happy if other architects could express their views.
There has already been some disturbing reactions to long term future architecture.
I read a recent article in a German architectural journal , suggesting that post-Covid apartment buildings should be replaced with individual houses ,with no virus spreadable common areas, stairways and lifts.
In my view this is wrong. To be consistent, paranoia of the ‘danger’ of public space would have to also apply to buses, trains and other forms of public transport. The safe bubble of a private car is preferred . The negative environmental and infrastructural effects of sprawled suburbs serviced only by cars (buses don’t work in low density environments), is well documented.
Loving the Libraries
The new Turanga Library in Christchurch Square won this years John Scott NZIA Award for Public Architecture.
Danish public library specialist architects Scmidt, Hammer Lassen Architects designed this important addition to the Christchurch public facilities rebuild with assistance from local practice Architectus.
Its recognition richly deserved and in terms of public interaction it has over a million visitors in its first year of operation.
Malcolm Walker, one of the NZIA judges observed that ‘it even has some books in it’.
This is not a throwaway line. Libraries are now places for the social interaction of a wide range of cultures, religions and age groups. Coffee, food, Lego, photocopying, DVD hire, public computers and meeting rooms have all appeared, creating vibrant hubs for learning and innovation.
Visitors are taken on a visually exciting journey on broad stairs between the various levels, and angled toward different external landmarks and references the journey to the heavens taken by mythical hero Tawhaki. The veiled exterior reads like a cloak folded back to glimpse a magical interior,
Joe Lstiburek
Here I was, going to an after work function along with many building professionals and architects to listen to a “building scientist’”give a presentation,
Thinking this would be all about flashings, durability and roof/wall junction detailing ,the promised food and drinks to be generously provided by the sponsor made the decision to attend viable.
It transpired that the “building scientist” was Dr. Joseph Lstiburek, the highly qualified and founding principal of The Building Science Corporation, as well as a respected educator and advisor on Canadian and US building codes.
His work has had a lasting impact on building methods and practices throughout the World.
But we weren’t told he was one of the finest stand-up raconteurs I have ever experienced. Read More
Save our unique library
A wonderful event a couple of weeks ago on the date of Ath’s birthday (he would have been79) was organised by the NZIA, seeking to guage public sentiment and offer supporting efforts to save Wellington’s iconic library building.
After Judy Keith’s excellent introduction, Gordon Moller Spoke eloquently of the history of the Civic Square development with its library anchor. The closing of the eastern end of Mercer St. was the genesis.
Whakatāne Airport Recognised
Just over 12 years ago, I met my then new girlfriend’s father for the first time at a restaurant in Wellington.
“Where did you fly from,” I asked.
“Whakatāne,” he replied.
“Oh, I designed Whakatāne Airport.”
There was a pause (a nervous pause on my side).
“I like Whakatāne Airport,” he said.
And we’ve been good mates ever since.
And it is fair to say that not everybody loves it – it has its share of friends and foes.
But last week I was honoured to hear that Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga has just added the Whakatāne Airport Terminal to the New Zealand Heritage List Rarangi Korero as a Category 1 Historic Place.
