Ian Athfield
Sir Ian Athfield KNZM | |
---|---|
Born | Christchurch, New Zealand | 15 July 1940
Died | 16 January 2015 Wellington, New Zealand | (aged 74)
Alma mater | University of Auckland |
Occupation | Architect |
Practice | Athfield Architects |
Sir Ian Charles Athfield
Projects
In 1965 Athfield started work on his first major project, Athfield House, for his family and a studio. Located in
Yet another area of influence for Athfield was the geometric massing of the Japanese Metabolists. Athfield combined all these disparate elements into a highly eclectic and personal style. During the 1970s Athfield built and renovated numerous domestic houses and buildings, developing a distinctive and highly personal design approach based on the repetition of small scale elements and complex massing. Critical opposition to these 'cartoon houses' did not bother him. Another criticism of Athfield's houses were that they were built for charm and not practicality. Athfield believed, however, that "in a house, you should get a surprise every time you turn a corner and look up".
He was a President of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, judged many design competitions and was a keynote speaker at many overseas conferences. His firm's later projects included Chews Lane Precinct, the Wellington Overseas Passenger Terminal redevelopment and the Wellington Marine Education Centre.
A documentary on Athfield, Architect of Dreams, was produced for the NZ Documentary Festival.[2]
Following the Canterbury earthquakes of
Awards and honours
Athfield won over 60 national and international architecture and design awards. In 1976 he won first prize in the International Competition for the Urban Environment of Developing Countries. In 1978 he was placed first equal in a Low Cost Housing Design Competition in Fiji. He won 13
Athfield was awarded the
He received a Distinguished Alumni Award in 1997 from the
I accept this on behalf of architects, designers, plumbers and gas fitters. We have suffered at the hands of accountants and engineers for too long. (Ian Athfield, 2000)
Personal life
Athfield married Clare Cookson in Kawakawa on 22 December 1962. They had two sons.[11] Clare, an interior designer, played an important role in many projects at Athfield Architects and her work was a significant reason for the firm's success.[11]
Notable works
- Athfield House, Wellington (begun 1968)[12]
- Arlington Council Flats, Wellington (1970) (demolished 2021)[13][14]
- Logan House (1974–75)[15]
- Cox House, Wellington (1975)
- Manila, Philippines housing project competition (1975–76)[15]
- Porteous House (1979)[15]
- Buck House, Hawkes Bay (1980)[15]
- First Church of Christ Science, Wellington (1982–83)[15]
- Moore Wilson's facade, Wellington (1984)[16]
- Logical CSI House, Wellington (1986–87)
- 226 Oriental Parade, Wellington (1988)
- Telecomon Manners Street, Wellington (1988)
- Wellington City Library, Wellington (1991)
- Civic Square, Wellington (1992)
- Extensions to Student Union building, Victoria University of Wellington (1992)[17]
- Palmerston North City Library extensions (1997)
- Sam Neill House, Queenstown (1998)[15]
- Rooftop additions to Te Puni Kōkiri House, Wellington (1998–99)
- Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University of Wellington (1999)[17]
- Alan Duff House (2000)[15]
- St Pauls Apartments, Wellington (2000)
- Lancaster Park extensions, Christchurch (with Architectus, 2002)[18]
- Odlins Building/NZX refurbishment, Wellington (2005)
- TheNewDowse Museum, Lower Hutt, Wellington (2006)
- Chews Lane Precinct, Wellington (2009)[19]
- Taranaki Street Wharf, Wellington (begun 2006)[20]
- Selwyn District Council offices, Canterbury (2007)[15]
- Pipitea House, Wellington (2011; headquarters of the GCSB)
- Wellington Marine Education Centre (proposed, denied by the Environment Court in 2007 on appeal; new location proposed)
- 1–8 Clyde Quay Wharf (officially opened on Wednesday, 18 June 2014),[21] Wellington – formerly the Overseas Passenger Terminal
- Tommy Millions pizza kiosk on Courtenay Place, Wellington[22]
- Kate Sheppard Exchange, Wellington (proposed)[23]
- 109 Featherston Street, Wellington (proposed)[24][25]
-
Arlington Council Flats, Wellington (demolished 2021)
-
Buck House, Te Mata Estate
-
Adam Art Gallery, Victoria University of Wellington
-
Wellington City Library (now closed for reconstruction)
-
Civic Square, Wellington
-
Odlins Building/NZX, Wellington
-
Dowse Art Museum, Lower Hutt
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Chews Lane precinct, Wellington
See also
References
- ^ Bradwell, Simon; Hunt, Tom. "Sir Ian Athfield dies". Stuff. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
Complications from a routine procedure at Wellington Hospital resulted in pneumonia. He was being treated for prostate cancer.
- ^ "Architect of Dreams (2008) | DOCNZ 2009 Documentary Film Festival". Documentary Film Festival 2009. 2008. Archived from the original on 14 February 2012.
- ^ "Architectural Ambassador appointed (1pm, 14 September 2010)". Ccc.govt.nz. Archived from the original on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- OCLC 795819749.
- ISBN 0-908578-34-2.
- ^ "Queen's Birthday honours list 1996". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 June 1996. Retrieved 20 July 2020.
- ^ "New Year honours list 2015". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. 31 December 2014. Retrieved 13 January 2018.
- ^ "Ian Athfield – DipArch". University of Auckland. Archived from the original on 4 June 2010. Retrieved 4 December 2010.
- ^ "Honorary graduates and Hunter fellowships | Victoria University of Wellington". victoria.ac.nz. Archived from the original on 26 June 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ISBN 978-1-86966-182-3.
- ^ a b "Ian Charles Athfield". Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. 19 May 2023.
- ^ Romanos, Joseph (25 June 2009). "The Wellingtonian interview: Ian Athfield". The Wellingtonian. Retrieved 16 January 2015.
- ^ "WellUrban: Nightmare on Taranaki St". Wellurban.blogspot.com. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ MacManus, Joel (17 February 2022). "Wellington to get 300 new public homes in $296m development". Dominion Post.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Architect of Dreams, directed by Geoffrey Cawthorn, produced by Richard Riddiford.
- ^ "Rough Guides". Roughguides.com. Archived from the original on 3 October 2011. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Kelburn Campus Plaques | Victoria University of Wellington". Victoria University of Wellington. Archived from the original on 8 August 2007. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Home – Architectus". Architectus.com.au. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Chews Lane Precinct :: Homepage". Chewslane.co.nz. Archived from the original on 19 April 2014. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Wellington Waterfront". Wellingtonwaterfront.co.nz. Archived from the original on 4 May 2013. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Clyde Quay Wharf Officially Opens » Clyde Quay Wharf". www.clydequaywharf.co.nz. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
- The Dominion Post (Wellington). Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- ^ "Kate Sheppard Exchange, For Lease, Office, Wellington Central, Wellington". Colliers International. Archived from the original on 19 February 2012. Retrieved 18 June 2015.
- ^ "Investment Management – Managed Funds – AMP Capital New Zealand" (PDF). Ampcapital.co.nz. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
- The Dominion Post (Wellington).
External links
- Athfield Architects
- Documentary of Ian Athfield on NZ On Screen. Made in 1977 after winning International competition to design housing in Manila
- The Wellingtonian interview: Ian Athfield, 25 June 2009