| The Editorial  A Ship Came to Shore, Carrying a Ship Load of...
By Byron Kinnaird
There are two wonderfully huge projects in our two largest cities that have come ashore in the last week. They are of course the announced joint-purchase of Queens Wharf (by the Government and ARC -each slapping down $20mil) from the Ports of Aucklond, aiming for a massive redevelopment of the site in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup. The southern project is of course Wellington's Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT), which has only just been given the formal go-ahead by Mayor Prendergast, with a cheeky slap to its appealers.
Auckland "Super-Size-Me" City has been begging to re-engage its waterfront for years, desperately slamming a whole stack of apartments (a wannabe white cruise-liner) on Prince's Wharf, with tag-along cafe's that are just precious.
The ARC's announcement is succinct enough really: "Opening up Queens Wharf will enhance the amenity of the waterfront. It will enable development of an international-standard cruise ship terminal and public open space that will benefit Aucklanders and visitors to the region alike." It sounds fantastic, I can hope that the estimated $713 million in revenue (over 10 years) from the Cruise Ship Terminal alone will procure a sensibly high-quality design, it would be an abysmal mistake to be stingy to publicly.
In the South, The Willis Bond & Co development of the OPT (with design by Athfield Architects) has attracted rancorous (but lively!) debate on local blog Eye of The Fish, with politico-social allegiance's slapped on the table by all sorts of nom de plumes. Willis Bond & Co are footing the $16mil re-piling costs, as well as another $16mil going to the Council-run organisation Wellington Waterfront Ltd for improvements, all-in-all settling the 125-year lease. The design itself is formally not too much of a departure from the existing Terminal, a few storeys taller, a bit more room at the end... All critics want is the same amount of light, same meandering walkways, and a bit of diversity in its occupants. Not too much to ask.
I was reflecting on these two projects, both of which deal with our bulging cities extending their manicured toes into the waters, and thought of a possible solution for both. In 2008, Vincent Callebaut Architectures published a radical proposition for 'climate refugees', a floating ecopolis called Lilypad. The (unbelievably detailed) design, rendered here in-situ, is a self-sustaining, drifting city for 50,000, an alternative to "fattening" beaches ala UAE.I would like to suggest that a flotilla of Lilypad's could offer New Zealand not only two or three new roaming cities, but a nearly unprecedented floating Rugby World Cup stadium. Believe the hype!
| Calendar  | 11 JUN - 1 AUG [NZ]
NZIA APL Graduate Development Program Seminars
Christchurch, Queenstown, Wellington, Auckland
GDP Members only, $100 Registration
More on GDP here
.3-4 JUL [AKL,WGN]
Riken Yamamoto Lecture.
Auckland 3 July, Maidment Theatre, $25, student $20.
Wellington, 4 July, School of Architecture, LT1, 1.30-2.30pm, $10
2-5 JUL [AKL]
Cultural Crossroads: 26th Annual SAHANZ Conference
Auckland, 2-5 July, more info here.
25 JUL [WAI, BOP]
NZIA Mid Winter Tour
Waikato, Bay of Plenty NZIA Branch tour the Coromandel.
Registrations and more Info here.
31 JUL [WGN]
Superstudio
24-hour Student design competition
Free for SANNZ Members, $30 for non-members.
Wellington on July 31-August 1st.
| | The Products  | Outline Bathroom Furniture by St Michel
Outline marks a first in New Zealand for 3D edge tape technology. A new polishing process creates a dazzling contrast between the coloured edge and the white high gloss panels. The colour base on the 3D tape is enveloped with a very clear acrylic layer which creates a seamless corner, not seen on conventional edge tapes, and provides the perfect surface for high gloss mechanical polishing. Of course it’s not all about great looks. The Outline works wonderfully too, with Hettich’s Soft Self Close Quadro drawer runners.
Outline will launched this month at designEX for more information contact design@stmichel.co.nz.
Find out more
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| Real Fires Outdoor Flare
The Real Fires illuminate Outdoor Flare is designed to bring ambience to your outdoor entertainment areas. The simple manual controls and integrated gas bottle mean simple, reliable and portable operation wherever it is required.
Real Fires combine the finest quality materials, craftsmanship, and dedicated service for the ultimate guarantee of satisfaction.
Find out more |  | |
|  | Design Tints
Design Tints has become a respected market leader with professional service, high quality production and superior installation to corporate, institutional and leading companies in New Zealand.
We are proud to offer our customers this guarantee; Design Tints will provide the widest range of film solutions, supplied and installed to the highest degree of quality for a price commensurate with that quality of service.
As a specialist window film supplier our range includes; Solar film for thermal performance and glare reduction, Security and Safety film for ‘duty of care’ and film for office fit-outs from simple frost to our exciting range of Digital Print Solutions for creative film applications.
Find out more
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| Integ Apollo6
Integrating power, data management and monitor accessories
The sheer elegance of an integrated power, data & accessories beam is a leap forward in office & retail furniture installations.
Integrating CMS general power outlets (GPO) and data bezels, the vertical or horizontally mounted beam can be configured to suit multiple applications with minimum footprint impression. The added possibility of multiple modular monitor arms, accessory trays or LCD screens makes Apollo6 the most sophisticated all-purpose singular hub available.
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|  | Independent Building Supplies: Micore 300
Micore 300 board does it all. It’s a superior substrate for fabric and vinyl-covered wall panels, office dividers and pinboards and an excellent core for chalkboards, ceiling and wall linings, stove boards and other similar applications.
With outstanding resilience, superior machinability and high density, Micore 300 board has superior surface hardness and its smooth surface laminates easily with various products such as vinyl, fabrics and steel. Although appearing as a natural finish there is a sealing coat to the surface, which provides an excellent primer for painting and adhesive applications and is compatible with most water or solvent based adhesives.
Micore 300 has been successfully tested to standard 1531 , (flame resistance) making the product ideal for School and commercial applications. Micore 300 also has a Class A flame spread rating developed per ASTM E84 UL Classified.
If you require any further information then e-mail jason@ibs.co.nz
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| Saturn 250V – Pure White
The New Pure White Saturn 250V expands on the popular Ocean Mist and Espresso Black colour variants released by Schneider Electric in 2008. Constructed from the same unique chemical resistant material and incorporating the same LED indication technology it gives you another option to add a point of difference to your home.
The entire range has set new standards in home electrical accessories – offering switch and accessory design that is unlike any other 250V electrical accessory range on the market.
When you see the diversity of the Saturn 250V range you’ll be amazed how it will complement every room of your home. Going beyond just wall switches and power outlets, the Saturn 250V range offers a complete electrical accessory solution that gives superior functionality while enhancing your décor.
Find out more |  | |
|  | Hebel Supercrete Panel Cladding System
The Department of Building & Housing has awarded Hebel Supercrete Panel Cladding System the Official Stamp of Approval.- The Only Cladding System to be Accredited by Department of Building & Housing in New Zealand
- Hebel Supercrete's warranty and unique systemic approach creates peace of mind for both specifiers and homeowners
- For your protection the Hebel Supercrete System is installed and coated by trained and certified trades people
- Hebel Supercrete is environmentally friendly, warm in winter, cool in summer, creating healthy homes with real ambience
For further information on this cost effective system contact your local Hebel Supercrete Distributor located on the website www.hebel.co.nz
Find out more
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| | The Website  | The Toke
If you haven't experienced the glossy spinning and flipping of a Flash website offering customisable viewing platforms, The Toke is a great place to start. As a portfolio site for media designer Darek Nyckowiak -who practices Art Direction, Motion and Sound Design and Flash Development- he keeps it relatively simple and unashamedly glossy.
A highly spatial navigation system really does stretch the possibility for Flash Development, with incredibly smooth 3-dimensional transitions between the viewing layouts (the now-classic spin-wheel, vertical plates, and circular map). Any combination of transitions is truly refreshing, with the 'plan view' also notating connections between each project. | | The Chair  | Pleated Pleat by Raw-Edges Design Studio
Recently exhibited at Craft Punk, Design Miami, the Pleated Pleat is creation from Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay of Raw-Edges Design Studio.
Folded and re-folded DuPont Tyvek material constitutes the bulging pleated cushion, which is filled with soft polyurethane foam to fill its soft bulk. The duo are responsible for a huge number of innovative and seemingly obvious clever designs, which include Pivot (a retractable wall-mounted draw) and the Bin Bag Bear (bear-shaped disposal bags, making rubbish fun again.) | | The Portfolio 
|  | Marek Haiduk
1 Illustration for Mad Atoms / Fox Atomic
2 'Being Parents - Growing up with Children' for Athesia
3 'Impulse 2' Impulse Magazine June 09
4 Illustration for Mad Atoms / Fox Atomic
5 Illustration for Mad Atoms / Fox Atomic
6 'Impulse 2' Impulse Magazine June 09
7 Illustration for Mad Atoms / Fox Atomic
8 'Being Parents - Growing up with Children' for Athesia
9 'Impulse 2' Impulse Magazine June 09
| | The Practice Essay  BIMnation
By Lisa Crutchley
The advent of the technological age has revolutionized the way we live, work, and carry out our basic day to day activities. Building Information Modeling; BIM is an ever evolving facet of 3-D computer aided architectural design that is challenging architects to rethink the traditional design process, and the way they manage the many parties involved in realizing a final built form. Its implementation into architecture practice has allowed architects the freedom to design in innovative and unique ways. It provides the opportunity for client, architect, engineer and industry, to work alongside one another with ease and efficiency. Ever increasing numbers of BIM programs are aimed at uniting the different bodies involved in the design process. Incorporating design tools with structural systems, cost, planning and construction into one building-model file.
These dramatic changes to the way individual practices work and interact with others are redefining the communications between individual, group, team and client.
BIM opens new avenues for architects, and understandably, most publications focus on the positive impact it will have. The increase in efficiency allows for more ‘design’ time, better client relationships, integrated design information, and includes automated error checking.
David Sutherland, director of planning for Fender Katsalidis Architects, used BIM technology to design Melbourne’s Eureka Tower: “If we can design, and have all the information we require coming off those designs as a byproduct of the design process, then we can spend more time designing and less time doing what we call the time-wasting process of ‘drawing'."
Inevitably, there is some reluctance to its inevitable implementation into practice. Understandably, some architecture firms are conscious of the changes BIM will also bring to areas such as liability, copyright and compensation. Yet, most are aware that the changing face of digital and architectural design will require practice to use BIM technology in order to gain large scale commissions, especially through collaboration. With a greater emphasis on communication between all parties throughout the design process, each brief will have to be managed on a singular and combined basis.
For BIM to be used to its full potential, new management principles will need to be employed to ensure a cohesive work environment both in each practice, and the collective groups.
With its full implications understood, there is no doubt that the speed of technological advancements will see BIM and its place in the architecture practice continue to improve and develop. By ensuring comprehensive management of communication between practices, responsibility and group objectives, BIM may bridge a gap between architect and engineer, industry and client, creating innovative and efficient projects.
| The Video  | The High Line, New York
Commissioned by Wallpaper, New Yorkers David Usui and Ben Wu explore the recently opened High Line of Field Operations and Diller & Scofidio + Renfro.
The short film aims to capture the elemental and serene environment of the High Line, with a slow progression of beautifully shot scenes, interspersed with revealing dialogue from Friends of the High Line Co-Founder Joshua David and Lead Designer James Corner of Field Operations.
Corner reflects on context of the self-seeded High Line, "a landscape that is essentially empty, serene, melancholic, unruly, unkempt, wild, with a sense that you've discovered something." Although only revealing small glimpses of the freshly opened High Line, a genuine sense of a naturally 'growing' park is easily identifiable, which seems a perfectly sensitive solution for the evocative landscape.
Producer: David Usui; Director of Photography/Editor: Ben Wu
Production Company: Lost & Found Films Music courtesy of: Lullatone
| | The Object  | Handful of Plates by Alissia Melka
Featured previously for having a splendid website, Alissia Melka (of byAMT offers this charming tableware to an extensive range of subtle and refined objects in her collection.
The Handful of Plates is a simply designed response to any social gathering that offers delicious but awkward-to-hold nibbles. Rather then resort to the bland and single-use paper plate, Melka presents a perfectly natural bent plate, fitting in the palm of your curved hand as you schmooze with the crowd.
Alissia Melka's work is available for purchase here | | The Competition  | What's More Alive Than You? International Collection
In a cunning way, WMATY have basically opened up their office to the world. Launching a call for original designs of bags, shoes and accessories to the entire world is both cheeky and irresistible to any young unpublished designer seeking a bit of glossy press.
The competition is themed "No worse, no better - Just different' which might in fact give away too much about WMATY's philosophy, but their intentions seem genuine, with selected entries going into production, with full credit to the designer, and royalties to be awarded.
Submissions are due July 3, with registrations of interest available here. |
| The Event  | Riken Yamamoto Lecture Tour
As a keynote to the 26th Annual Conference of the Society of Architectural Historians, Australia and New Zealand (SAHANZ), prolific Japanese architect Riken Yamamoto will be presenting his work in Auckland and Wellington, which includes innovative domestic design projects and "ground-breaking educational projects designed to make possible new curricula and to introduce fresh approaches to teaching into Japan’s moribund education system."
Yamamoto will present in Auckland on July 3, at the Maidment Theatre ($25, $20 student) at 7pm, and in Wellington on July 4, at 1.30pm Lecture Theatre 1, School of Architecture and Design ($10).
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| The Project  | Lift Project by Elke Veltman
'Public space' has a way of being stifled by its obese capitalist neighbours (or even 'owners') who splurge all about the place to cause exceptional indifference. Dutch art's student Elke Veltman has given us hope with this retaliation, taking up residence in a lift for a whole working day.
Beautifully captured http://liftproject.blogspot.com/ during the day's events, which included breakfast, reading, napping, working and dinner, Elke still generously invites users of the lift in to her temporary abode, offering a chair and table for a bit of inter-storey chit-chat no doubt.
The (forced) awkward intrusion on her daily routine is a spectacular reversal of privacy, and reportedly caused quite a stir. I recall similar anecdotes of architecture students occupying closets and 'spare' spaces all over architecture schools, albeit a tad less conspicuously...maybe ridiculously public is the way to avoid sneaking suspicion. |
| The Closer
Check out the brand new Productspec website, now featuring over 26,000 products, specifications and CAD details. Also, we are absolutely interested in your contributions to Spe[a]k, so please contact me regarding any thoughts that need some publicity -shameless or otherwise.
Yours exotically,
Byron Kinnaird
Spe[a]k Editor
speak@productspec.net |
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