New Zealand: An Architectural Identity Dialogue

By Abdel-moniem El-Shorbagy

One of the important themes that have dominated the architectural scene during the last 30 years is the question of regional identity, and the question of New Zealand identity in specific. Traditionally, architectural discourse has been largely concerned with form. It has been dominated by disputes that turn around questions of style. Although architects have been looking overseas for new ideas and models from Europe and America, many architects recognised that the creation of a New Zealand style was a priority. Many New Zealand architects’ buildings embody and express cultural and social meanings, which relate them to the wider New Zealand context. Among these architects, Roger Walker and Ian Athfield, whos styles offer a potentially rich field for the discussion of New Zealand identity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookRix
• Release date: Sep 22, 2020
• ISBN: 9783748758297

Book preview

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New Zealand

An Architectural Identity Dialogue

Content

1. Introduction

2. Internationalism and Rootedness

3. New Zealand Architectural Dialogue

4. Conclusion

Appendix 1: Chronological List Of Walker’s Buildings

Appendix 2: Awards And Competitions

Images Credits

References

1. Introduction

One of the important themes that have dominated the architectural scene during the last 30 years is the question of regional identity, and the question of New Zealand identity in specific. Traditionally, architectural discourse has been largely concerned with form. It has been dominated by disputes that turn around questions of style. Although architects have been looking overseas for new ideas and models from Europe and America, many architects recognised that the creation of a New Zealand style was a priority. One of the key events that gave New Zealand architects confidence was the visit of Aldo van Eyck to New Zealand in 1963. Van Eyck rediscovered and pointed out to the benefits of the verandah, which he described as an ikon of modern architecture here. Many New Zealand architects’ buildings embody and express cultural and social meanings, which relate them to the wider New Zealand context. Among these architects, Roger Walker (b.1942) and Ian Athfield (1940-2015), whose styles offer a potentially rich field for the discussion of New Zealand identity.

2. Internationalism and Rootedness

Writing in The Architects’ Journal in 1978 Alastair Best stated that in some respects Kiwi culture may still be deep frozen somewhere around the year 1949, but architecturally it is bang up to date. Best argued that this was due largely to the energy and enterprise of Roger Walker, who has created a new New Zealand style almost single-handed. Paolo Portoghesi believes that any work of architecture belongs to a place, and therefore first of all is ‘local’. He demonstrated the contradiction between internationalism and rootedness; what is truly international is what has general value, and today, in contrast to yesterday, a work of architecture has true value only if it possesses an urban quality, that is, if it is able to strengthen and renew the sick organism of the contemporary city. Roger Walker’s work possesses the internationalism, which Portoghesi defines and it is probably for this reason that