I went past the old Thorndon Tavern last week, which is starting to be transformed into the new Thai embassy. To my delight, the old accretions of the former pub had been stripped away, and the bare concrete skeleton exposed. While the concrete frame of the building is amazing – only 4 massive columns, with 4 massive beams, brilliantly designed by Colin Gunter at NZ Breweries,…
Fish
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Maximus
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Slightly off topic to discussion of Wellington buildings, but just a quick note to say that the wonderful Film Archive in Wellington is showing the film Brazil for the next few days – until Saturday. Thanks be to Frank Stark and Steve Russell. Note to the curious: does not contain anything about Brazil or Brazilians. Quite possibly the best film ever for architects, and definitely one…
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Maximus
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There’s an old saying that you should never work with animals or children, and it’s been proved many times: witness countless Hollywood films like Kindergarten Cop and Daddy Daycare. Cujo. Critters. Lassie. Woof, woof: barking mad. I rest my case. There’s another saying too, that goes something like – you should never publicly declare your love for something or else someone will promptly take it away…
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Having attended the ANZAC service this morning, like so many New Zealanders across our country, I came to realise how inadequate our present War Memorial is. For a start, there is hardly any room for visitors, who have to cling to the hill side and peer through the trees. On it’s inauguration many years ago, the Carillon stood alone, proud and prominent on the base of…
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This week has been a notably anti-developer week, a nasty bump in the world of property development. Not for quite some time have property developers and property financiers been held up for so much scorn, hatred, and public derision. Is it all deserved? You be the judge. Firstly, local property developer Lance James has been sent to jail for 8 2 years – yes, EIGHT TWO…
Philip
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Unfortunately, yesterday’s lecture by Charles Renfro sold out relatively fast, so for those who were unable to make it, here is a link to a presentation given by him in support of a recent competition entry. Renfro was much more engaging and entertaining last night, but his presentation to the University of Melbourne covers most of what came up in yesterdays lecture, as well as a few extra projects. .
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The Maranui is being slowly rebuilt, but the Lyall Bay saga goes on. Last week Wellingtonians were given a preview of the proposed new Lyall Bay clubhouse, that has now had to incorporate additional changing rooms and toilets for the public. It sounds like they were not too happy with the prospect unveiled. It is a very similar offering to Archaus’ previous design, which was also…
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There was a time, before my time, when Architecture would get involved with politics. When to be a Modern Architect, meant that you ascribed to certain political beliefs as well as architectural ones, instead of just designing cute looking buildings in a fairly squarish sort of style. That view has pretty much gone now, although there are the odd spot of political posturing by those involved…
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Aah well, sounds like no one quite fell for it yesterday – the prospect must have been just too outrageous. Although: weirder things have happened. Like what, I hear you ask? Well, like the National government passing legislation in one day to abolish a democratically elected environment board. I mean, isn’t that just the littlest bit anti-democratic? Just the teensiest bit like what fascists dictators do,…
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The folk here at the Fish have been following the reshuffling down at the City Council with interest, as they restructure the Urban Strategy Group yet again and find new positions for expired urban designers and heritage advisors. We’re given to understand that this morning they will be announcing the addition of a new position to the team, in the form of a new City Architect….