Architects Wellington: Creative Challenges

Modern New Zealand Architecture - Domestic HouseWellington Architects have the unenviable job of designing buildings and houses that suit the rugged and windy climate of Wellington, with land that is often exposed to a wider range of weather conditions than other cities.

Luckily, most Architects practising in Wellington have a great sense of style.

Known as the windy city, Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, and hence has many buildings of national importance.

Architects in Wellington have been designing amazing buildings in a great variety of styles for over 100 years.

Up to the present day, the architecture continues to be an exciting part of this city's development. New Zealand architecture is generally very fresh, funky, modern and practical, not unlike contemporary Californian architecture. Wellington Architecture has been developing since way back in 1850, when the first little cottages were built.

To practice in Wellington, an architect needs to be very well trained. Architects are not only trained in design, but also need to have a very good overview of planning, construction, and project management.

Most architects in most cities around the world are required to be fully licenced before they can charge money for architecture services. Training varies from architectural drafting, concept planning, and other subjects and specialties that can be studied at University or Technical Colleges, to a fully fledged architecture degree.

Wellington Architects, like all architects, need to stay current. Trends are constantly changing, and an Architect needs to constantly keep up with new developments in their profession.

There are many resources available for those wanting to find an architect in Wellington, New Zealand.

The adaptability of Wellington buildings to the climate has always been a creative challenge for Architects in Wellington.??Old buildings have been preserved and sit alongside the new buildings in Wellington, so you can see the contrast in changing architectural styles over the years.

Wellington Architects have always been a great contribution to the diverse range of architecture found in Wellington.

Te Papa is an ideal place to visit to see a fantastic and award-winning example of modern wellington architecture in action.

Trends are always changing when you think of building architecture. Who would have thought to build a round building to house NZ Parliament? Wellington Architects, that's who.

A stroll down Lambton Quay will lead you to the old Government House, and the now iconic 'Beehive'.

Many skilled Architects practice their craft in Wellington. You must be a registered Architect in Wellington in order to practice your career legally and professionally.

There are also organisations that work to improve environmental living of the area.?? The architects located in Wellington have provided the area with beautiful architecture and will continue to evolve their craft, so that this beautiful harbour city will continue to have an ever changing landscape.

Architects in Wellington are making an important contribution to the city's feel and vibe.

Wellington New Zealand is a beautiful place to visit and explore. The city is able to offer visitors exquisite locations to visit and take in the beautiful architecture.

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Choosing an Architect in Wellington

Architects Wellington

Architects Wellington - Wellington Zoo

First and most importantly, when you’re looking for an architect in Wellington, remember to look for one who is registered. By choosing a registered architects, you can be sure that the architect has passed the necessary requirements for holding that registration, and therefor the skills and professionalism necessary to turn your dreams into reality.

In addition, by choosing architects who are registered, you can be sure that you won’t fall victim to a home building scam, something that is more likely if you choose an architect who is not registered.

Secondly, it’s a good idea to look for an architect in Wellington who is a member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, or NZIA. The NZIA represents more than 90% of the registered architects in New Zealand, and it is the standard for architectural professionalism in the industry.

With its commitment to promoting architecture that enhances the living environment of new Zealanders, when you choose a member of the NZIA, you can bet that the design they help you create for your home will be unique, beautiful, and ideal for New Zealand and Wellington in particular.

So if you’ve been planning that perfect home for years, and are finally at a place in your life where you are able to afford to make that dream a reality, then be sure to follow these tips of advice for choosing an architect in Wellington. You’ll be glad you did, especially when you see that beautiful home you have been dreaming of for so long. Read more articles at architects wellington.

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Architecture and the Architects that create it: Wellington

Architecture and the Architects that create it: Wellington

In Wellington, working Architects have the unenviable job of designing buildings and houses that suit the rugged and windy climate of Wellington, with land that is often exposed to a wider range of weather conditions than other cities. Luckily, most local architects have a great sense of style.

Wellington New Zealand is a beautiful place to visit and explore. Wellington offers beautiful scenery from it’s many hills, and features a cable car, and sweeping harbour views. Known as the windy city, Wellington is the capital city of New Zealand, and hence has many buildings of national importance. Architects designing buildings in Wellington have blessed the city with a magnificent variety of architectural buildings for over a century.

Architecture has been developing in Wellington since way back in 1850, when the first little cottages were built. Up to the present day, the architecture continues to be an exciting part of this city’s development. New Zealand architecture is generally very fresh, funky, modern and practical, not unlike contemporary Californian architecture.

Most architects that practice professionally are very well trained individuals. Architects are not only trained in design, but also need to have a very good overview of planning, construction, and project management.

Most architects in most cities around the world are required to be fully licenced before they can charge money for architectural services. Training varies from architectural drafting, concept planning, and other subjects and specialties that can be studied at University or Technical Colleges, to a fully fledged architecture degree.

Architects need to stay current. Trends are constantly changing, and an Architect needs to constantly keep up with new developments in their profession. There are several organisation located locally that could offer assistance to an architect based in Wellington.

Wellington architecture practitioners have provided the city with a diverse offering of architectural styles. Architecture is of interest because it is a design form that is part of people’s daily life. The wonderfully talented architects who have designed the buildings in Wellington have always been able to adapt and provide aesthetically pleasing buildings.

Old buildings have been preserved and sit alongside the new buildings in Wellington, so you can see the contrast in changing architectural styles over the years. Te Papa is an ideal place to visit to see a fantastic and award-winning example of modern architecture in action in Wellington.

Only an innovative architect would have thought to build a round building to house NZ Parliament in Wellington. A stroll down Lambton Quay will lead you to the old Government House, and the iconic round ‘Beehive’ building, housing the present government.

There are many trained architechs in the Wellington area. Most architects in New Zealand are registered with organisations that help support them. There are also organisations that work to improve environmental living of the area.

Architects traditionally provide an area with beautiful architecture. The profession will continue to evolve, giving cities such as Wellington an ever changing design landscape.

Architects are making an important contribution to the city of Wellington’s ambience and feeling.




Architects Wellington has information about architecture in Wellington, New Zealand. http://www.architectswellington.co.nz/

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Wellington’s architecture

Wellington.scoop.co.nz » City Gallery: Architecture by Bill Toomath

A pioneer of modernist architecture in New Zealand, Toomath’s impact on Wellington’s architects wellington can be seen in projects such as the Wellington Teachers’ College, Wool House and Toomath House. Behind the scenes his practice has been …

Publish Date: 12/03/2009 23:13

http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/2009/12/bringing-modernism-home/

Wellington – Majestic Centre

Majestic centre is the tallest building in Wellington, New Zealand. It has 29 stories. It is the ninth tallest building in New Zealand. The Majestic centre is located on 100 Willis street in the middle of Wellington City. It was completed in 1991. It…

Architectural Styles


Architectural Styles
By William Brister

Architectural styles denote the classification of architecture in terms of form, techniques and materials in an integration of architecture designs from over lapping periods of time. There have evolved various and diverse types of architectural styles over the years; listed blow are some of the more popular ones.

Art Deco

The Art Deco style was an echo of the Machine Age and became popular in the 1920s. It was stylized by geometric decorative elements and a vertically oriented design. Towers and other projections above the roofline enhance the vertical emphasis of this style while flat roofs, metal window casements, and smooth stucco walls with rectangular cut-outs are symbolic of the Art Deco exterior. Facades are marked with zigzags and other stylized floral, geometric and sunrise motifs. A distinctly urban style, Art Deco in American architecture was used widely and popularly for commercial buildings during this period.

Colonial

More than simply the design elements, Colonial architecture refers to the time period in American architecture, between the early 1600s, when the first colonists began to build settlements and 1776, the year the colonies declared their independence from England. Economical, refined and basic, the colonial designs reflect the buildings practices of America’s early settlers. Although Colonial architecture is often thought of as stately and symmetrical with an orderly arrangement of windows, it actually comes in several sizes, shapes and styles reflecting the diverse cultural traditions of the English, Dutch, Spanish and French.

Contemporary

Contemporary-style homes became hugely popular between 1950 and 1970. There were two types of contemporary American architecture – the flat-roof type and the gabled roof type. These were characterized by odd-sized and often tall windows, lack of ornamentation, and unique mixtures of wall materials like stone, brick, and wood. Both types of designs were one-story tall and designed to incorporate the surrounding architectural landscape into their overall look.

Georgian

Fanciful and royal, the Georgian architecture was styled in honor of the first three monarchs of England, all of whom were named George. Formal and majestic Georgian homes are known for their refined and symmetrical design with paired chimneys and a decorative crown over the front door. Another unique feature is the orderly row of five windows across the second story. With sport side-gabled roofs, Georgian houses are two to three stories high, and constructed in brick. Besides symmetry, this kind of architecture is symbolized by rich classical detail such as large Greek or Roman style columns, elaborate entryways with beautifully arched windows resting atop them and elegant ornamentation.

Gothic Revival

Gothic Revival became popular in the mid 1800s. This style was largely influenced by English romanticism and intricate wooden millwork. It was characterized by Gothic windows with distinctive pointed arches and featured exposed framing timbers and steep vaulted roofs with cross-gables. They also included extravagant features such as towers and verandas.

International

European architects initiated the modern style of architecture in the 20th century. Using materials such as concrete, glass and steel, it was devoid of ornamentation or decoration. The architectural landscape in the international style introduced the idea of exposed functional building elements such as elevator shafts, ground-to-ceiling plate glass windows, and smooth facades.

Prarie House

The first Prairie-style house was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in Chicago in 1893. This American architectural style peaked between the years 1900s and 1920s and focused on modest homes that blended the natural beauty of the Midwestern landscape. It consists of two main styles – boxy and symmetrical or low-slung and asymmetrical and the materials used are brick and clapboard. It has low pitched gable roofs with eaves extending well beyond the walls, creating an effect that allows it to blend with the scenery. Other details included pronounced overhangs, stone belts to accentuate the horizontal designs, rows of casement windows, one-story porches with massive square supports as well as stylized floral and circular geometric terra-cotta or masonry decorations around doors, windows, and cornices.

Shingle Victorian

This American architectural style was used widely in cottages along the trendy, wealthy North-eastern coastal towns of Long Island and Newport in the late 19th century. Wide porches, unadorned doors, windows, and cornices, steeply pitched roof lines are symbolic of this style. Continuous wood shingles cover the entire surface of the home, giving it a cohesive look. Some unique features in this style include dormers, recessed balconies, and side towers with bell or conical roofs structured under the shingles.

Tudor

This architecture was initiated in the 1920s and 1930s, but continues to remain a popular architectural style in suburbs across the United States even today. It is characterised by half-timbering on bay windows and upper floors with facades that are pronounced by one or more steeply pitched cross gables. Patterned brick or stone walls, rounded doorways, multi-paned casement windows, and large stone chimneys are also some of the features of this architectural style.

Victorian

Victorian architecture in America originated in the second half of the 19th century, when America was identifying new approaches to building and design. Victorian styles include Second Empire, Italianate, Stick, and Queen Anne among others. Advances in modern technology ensured the incorporation of ornamentation such as brackets, spindles, and patterned shingles into the Victorian designs.

William Brister – http://www.realestateonguide.com – Secrets for all aspects of Real Estate

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Introduction to New Zealand


Introduction to New Zealand
By John Jepson

New Zealand has a complex climate where temperatures can range from warm subtropical in the north to cool temperate in the south. July is usually the coldest month and the warmest is usually January or February. There are generally relatively small variations between summer and winter temperatures in New Zealand. Despite the moderately high rainfall, New Zealand enjoys many hours of sunshine throughout most of the country. The mountains and the sea are the two distinct geographical features that contribute to New Zealand’s climate. The mountain chains that extend the length of New Zealand divide the country into contrasting climatic regions. As the mountains obstruct the prevailing westerly winds the West Coast of the South Island experiences the highest rainfall, in direct contrast to the driest part of the country on the East Coast only 100km away.

New Zealand Seasons

New Zealand does not experience extreme seasonal temperature changes, but due to tropical cyclones and cold fronts the weather can transform unexpectedly. This is why it is essential to be very well prepared for sudden changes in weather conditions if you’re going to participate in outdoor activities in any season.

Spring – September, October, November

Summer – December, January, February

Autumn – March, April, May

Winter – June, July, August

New Zealand Temperatures

Mild temperatures, plenty of sunshine, and moderate rainfall are standard in New Zealand due to the majority of the country being near the coast. The average temperature will decrease the further south you travel, as New Zealand is located in the Southern Hemisphere. The northern areas of New Zealand are subtropical and the southern areas temperate. New Zealand’s warmest months are December, January and February, and the coldest are June, July and August. The average maximum temperature ranges from 20 – 30ºC in the summer and from 10 – 15ºC in winter.

New Zealand Sunshine

Most areas of New Zealand can expect in excess of 2,000 hours of sunshine a year. The Bay of Plenty, Hawke’s Bay, Nelson and Marlborough are the sunniest areas receiving over 2,350 hours. In the summer months daylight can last until 9.00pm due to New Zealand daylight saving.

New Zealand can also boast a high proportion of winter sunlight across most regions. Through the summer months UV rays in the New Zealand sunlight can be very strong. This is due to the low levels of air pollution. To avoid sunburn when they venture out in to the sun, visitors should take precautions by wearing sunscreen, sunglasses, and hats. The highest risk of sunburn is between 11am and 4pm.

New Zealand Rainfall

New Zealand has an average rainfall of between 640 mm and 1600mm spread over the year. The northern and central areas of New Zealand experience more rainfall in the winter, opposed to the southern regions receiving the least. As well as maintaining dramatic native forest, the high rainfall makes New Zealand an ideal place for farming.

New Zealand Summer

Those looking to enjoy New Zealand’s summer should visit between the months of December through to February. New Zealand summer is a great time to come for visitors looking to enjoy bush walks and other outdoor activities. The summer makes New Zealand’s beautiful beaches a very appealing option for swimming, topping up your tan, kayaking, sailing, surfing as well as enjoying a picnic stop.

New Zealand Autumn

New Zealand’s autumn months are from March to May. Although it can feel a little cooler, the weather usually remains fantastic and it is not uncommon to be able to go swimming in New Zealand until April. The majority of New Zealand’s summer activities can actually be enjoyed throughout the Autumn months. Due to New Zealand’s introduced deciduous trees, autumn offers an array of natural colour and radiance to anyone visiting during this time.

New Zealand Winter

From June through to August the New Zealand winter transforms the mountain ranges across both the North and South islands of New Zealand in to snow-capped scenic delights. Despite the colder weather and increased rainfall in the North Island, there is a buzz in the air as Kiwis pack their thermos and ski gear and head off to enjoy the brilliant skiing or snowboarding New Zealand has to offer. If skiing isn’t your thing, the winter is a great time to enjoy the alpine scenery across the South Island due to the little rainfall experienced by some areas.

New Zealand Spring

September to November is the best season to arrive if you get a thrill from excitable newborn lambs in spring. The blossoming plant life across New Zealand in spring offers a feast for the senses as the weather adjusts itself from chilly to hot. Increased water flow from snow melt through New Zealand make spring a great time to visit if you like white water rafting, and the spring festivals in both the North and South islands give everyone a reason to feel good.

Recommended Clothing

The reputation of Kiwis being relaxed and friendly should give you a strong indicator of acceptable types of clothing, relaxed and informal is just fine for the majority of occasions. Smart casual is acceptable at most restaurants and bars and men are only required to wear suits and ties at formal bars and restaurants in the bigger cities. Even in the summer months the weather can become cooler as you visit higher altitudes so it is a good idea to pack a warm sweater or jacket. A rainproof jacket is also a necessity in case you experience a wet spell. If you visit during the winter months it is necessary to pack warm clothes remembering that it is a good idea to layer clothing.

Maori History – The Arrival

Maori legend tells us of Kupe, the first Maori explorer to reach New Zealand about 1000 years ago. He applied his knowledge of the stars and ocean currents to help navigate the Pacific on his waka hourua (voyaging canoe) from an unidentified location in Polynesia known as Hawaiki, the ancestral homeland. Over the next few hundred years as part of a planned migration, more waka hourua journeyed to New Zealand. Maori called their new home Aotearoa meaning ‘Land of the Long White Cloud’.

Daily Life

The central focus of a Maori community was and still is the Marae

(meeting grounds). The most prominent feature was the Wharenui (meeting house), a striking construction at the centre of the marae that followed the basic form of the human body. The head and front of the building is called the koruru. It’s arms, constructed from large boards stretching down from the head are called maihi. It’s legs are represented by shorter boards called amo at the front of the Wharenui. Running along the length of the building providing strength is the spine known as tahuhu. Wharenui normally house beautiful carvings that represent the tribe’s whakapapa (lineage) and the Maori tales of creation.

The Maori tribe based society thrived for hundreds of years. Mostly coastal dwellers, fishing was vitally important to them and played a big part in their mythology. Legend says, the god Maui was believed to have fished the North Island from the ocean. Fishing nets were woven from harakeke (flax), and fishing hooks were carved out of bone and stone. Today when fishing, it is still the tradition to throw back the first caught fish as a way of thanking Tangaroa, the god of the sea.

Maori hunted seals and penguins to use as food. Mutton-birds were another popular dish for the far south, and they are still enjoyed today. For preservation, they were kept in bags of bull kelp, the world’s fastest growing seaweed. Native birds were also hunted. The world’s largest bird, the Moa, as well as many other species, including the Tui and Kereru, were eaten. The Huia, a bird considered sacred was never eaten; however its feathers were worn in the heads of chiefs and highly prized.

Other foods enjoyed by Maori included vegetables, native as well as the introduced Polynesian kumara (sweet potato). A range of primitive tools including clubs and spades were used for planting and harvesting. Maori also ate various berries and the pulverised roots of ferns. Maori chewed resin known as gu obtained from the giant kauri trees. Food was transported in baskets and bags made from flax to be kept in a raised storehouse known as a pataka.

To cook the food, Maori had a unique method that is still practiced and enjoyed today. The hangi is an earth pit oven where food is cooked under ground using super heated stones. The stones are heated over a large pit fire; once the embers have been cleared away the stones are covered with green flax and then baskets of meat and vegetables. The food is covered with wet fabric and then earth is placed over the top to seal in the heat. The food is cooked slowly under ground, and this produces a very tender texture with a subtle smoky flavour.

Survival

Before the Europeans arrived, clashes between Maori tribes were common. Maori built a pa (fortified village) as a defense against other tribes. Carefully considered positions like hilltops were chosen for the construction of a pa. Each pa would have a series of obstacles surrounding it to protect those living within. Even when visiting New Zealand today, you can still see obvious signs or pa sites. Throughout history Maori have proved the skills of their warriors. Only the men would fight, and the favoured weapon was the taiaha. This spear-like weapon was beautifully carved with a head at one end and a blade at the other. The head reflects a great life force with the eye reflecting the spirit. Another fearful weapon was the mere, a club carved from pounamu (greenstone). The fearsome sight of a Maori warrior brandishing either one of these weapons is an unforgettable experience.

The Moriori

Thought to have migrated from the South Island, another tribe of Polynesians known as the Moriori lived almost 900km East of Christchurch on the Chatham Islands. Towards the end of the 18th century the numbers of Moriori living on the Chatham Islands reached around 2000. Eventually, attacks from Maori tribes and devastation from disease saw the numbers of the peaceful Moriori diminish. It is believed that 1933 saw the death of the last Moriori.

Settlement

About 800 years after Maori made their migration to New Zealand from their Polynesian homeland, an influx of Europeans followed suit. The migration from Asian nations and the Pacific Islands through the 20th century also contributes to New Zealand’s distinct multicultural society. The first European to find New Zealand was Abel Tasman, but it wasn’t until Captain James Cook decided to take a closer look in 1769 that the real migration of whalers and missionaries from Europe began.

In 1839 there were only about 2000 Pakeha (Europeans) in New Zealand. However, the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, which saw New Zealand become a British colony, had an enormous effect on the New Zealand population. British migrants were offered a paid passage to New Zealand, and 40,000 arrived here between 1840 and 1860. By 1858 the Maori and Pakeha populations were nearly equal. The South Island gold rush of the 1860s saw even more migrants flood in from around the world, including English, Scots, Irish and Chinese. A labour shortage here in the late 19th century saw even more migrants from the British Isles and Europe come to New Zealand. Most came with assistance from the New Zealand Government.

ONZAMAP Ltd is a new web service that is taking a different look at promoting New Zealand as a holiday destination. Through interaction with current and past travellers of New Zealand, as well as the operators of New Zealand’s tourism businesses, ONZAMAP Ltd will be providing an easy to use, up to date account of what makes New Zealand unmissable for the International traveller.

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Architects Wellington

Wellington architectArchitects Wellington is a website with information and resources about Wellington Architects, Architecture in Wellington, and finding a reputable firm to design your contruction project or renovation.