Sad news this morning to hear that Ian Athfield had died. I didn’t know him well – must be one of the few people that had never worked for him – so I suspect that he lives on well in the hearts of many of Wellington’s finest. Ath was, it has to be said, a one-of-a-kind character. I don’t think ive ever met someone quite like…
Leviathan
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Levi has recently taken on some blogging duties following the disappearance of Maximus. Reluctantly.
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An interesting development: the continued irritation by NZTA and their autocratic methods of planning has spurred the creation of a new Transport group. It’s all rather fledgling at present – no name or website yet, but info about it can be found over at the Strathmore Park website. They say: “Who are we? – We are a group of dedicated professionals and we are setting out…
Leviathan
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Sir Ian, or Sir Ath? Probably, to anyone who knows him, Ath will still just be Ath. It’s a most remarkable transformation really, from a long-haired, large-bearded, rebellious young student of the 60s, building curiously unorthodox structures all over Wellington hillsides; to a well-respected pillar of the architectural community being recognized for a lifetime’s worth of work all over the country. How he got there is…
Leviathan
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It was too soon to shut down shop and say Merry Christmas, it seems. The debacle that is currently underway on the foreshore is too much – it’s hard to believe that the process could have gone so badly wrong, so quickly. Let’s recap: 1. The Convention Centre was to have been on land between Cable and Wakefield St, nestled in between apartment buildings and enjoying…
Leviathan
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It has been a strange sort of end to the year, with me trying to take over from what looks like an abdication by Maximus. Difficult act to follow. But Wellington needs an outlet for discussion on architecture, and urban matters, and this seems to be it – at least, until anyone else wants to take over the role. Not sure quite what, or how, or…
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Progress at the Park. Skeletal structure of the new Memorial Park pedestrian shelters Although this framework looks quite interesting, I think it is due to be covered over, top and bottom. So enjoy it while it lasts. Also being erected over the last few weeks, is the Australian war memorial. First up is the steel centre poles – with wiring and stone over cladding to come….
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A publicly notified consent application is a rare thing, despite what Nick Smith says. Site 10, at Kumutoto, is notified now. Rest assured, that Waterfront Watch will be objecting vociferously to this proposal, with numerous objectionable submissions being submitted. You may also want to add your voice re the scheme. You have until Dec 18th, at 4.30pm. That’s not far away. You can read about it…
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Correct. Thanks to David Laing, 60mPa, and Jimmy. The previous picture did in fact show the ruins of the old Post Office receiving / transmitting station, high on the hills in Makara. I thought that the hills were going to be crawling with mountain bikers, but it seems not. Just the vast, giant, soundless sentinels powering up our nation, those magnificent wind turbines gracing the skyline….
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I met a traveller from an antique land Who said: “Two vast and trunkless legs of stone Stand in the desert. Near them, on the sand, Half sunk, a shattered visage lies, whose frown, And wrinkled lip, and sneer of cold command, Tell that its sculptor well those passions read Which yet survive, stamped on these lifeless things, The hand that mocked them and the heart…