A record of houses lived in and loved by their inhabitants, 50 years on, is like water to the soul of the thirsty architect. I Never Met a Straight Line I Didn’t Like is a photographic portrayal of 12 houses designed and built in Christchurch during the 1960s and early 1970s, presenting the brilliance and quirk of architects during this time. Straight lines do not imply a lack of personality and authors Gaudin and Arnold have selected the best remaining examples of the ‘Christchurch Style’ to prove this; in doing so, they also demonstrate good design prevailing with time. Read and see more on ..read more

Here we find Robin Allison’s thought-provoking account of her life and the design and construction of the Earthsong eco-neighbourhood a frank and informative read. See for more: https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/book-review-cohousing-for-life/ Image supplied above: The Earthsong eco-neighbourhood cohousing development in West Auckland ..read more

Abigail was given the opportunity to explore the climate crisis in light of the COVID-19 pandemic recently, speaking to an environmentally sustainable design specialist, as well as architects leading in the field. Enjoy the full article here: ,https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/a-call-to-action ..read more

Read Abigail's latest written piece, on Warren and Mahoney's recent addition to One Central, Latimer Terraces, in Christchurch City. "However, these townhouses need not be just for the rich. With house ownership out of reach for many, architect Richard McGowan suggests that, if we are no longer able to make housing affordable, perhaps we should be looking to make housing accessible through non-traditional strategies of house ownership. A close examination of the planning reveals surprising flexibility for multiple types of buyer." Keep reading on here: https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/f ..read more

Here Abigail explores Takapō’s brightest star, a new project by Sheppard & Rout Architects in the September/October issue of Architecture NZ 2019. https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/new-age-stardom-dark-sky-project ..read more

You may have heard the term ‘co-housing’ bandied about lately, along with ‘co-living’ and ‘cooperative housing’. Abigail Hurst examines these hot words that need to be taken seriously so that, together, the industry can tackle issues like New Zealand’s housing crisis https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/alternative-housing-models-co-what ..read more

On a Saturday evening in April our director, Abigail Hurst, had the honour of presenting at PechaKucha (20 slides x20 seconds) at the newly re-opened Christchurch Town Hall. Asked to share 'hidden stories,' the brief led her to relate a series of personal stories about how buildings have shaped her life. Follow the link below to watch a journey that will lead you to our practice today, and a proposal for a fresh way of telling the hidden stories of architecture, through the intersection of two disciplines: drawing and writing, to bring meaning and richness to our lives. https://www.pechakucha ..read more

In the March issue of Architecture NZ our first building review was published. It was a pleasure to interview Athfield Architects and tour the Lyttelton Port Company's new head office. You can read it in full here: https://architecturenow.co.nz/articles/mediation-meditation-lyttelton-port-company/#img=0 ..read more

A creative writing piece in memorial of Grandpa Thompson and the House that he built. You can begin at my front door, after walking down the timber trellised, broom finished path. See potted plants to the left, the occasional garden gnome between. Face my warm timber leaf, paint finished in white, feel its solid woodiness as you reach for the knocker. Wait for Loris to greet you. As the door opens you will be addressed by the jewel of my innards, the entry quartz marble feature wall, on which plants and ornaments a-plenty are pinned. This was the style of my era, a celebration of stone and ma ..read more

First Published by Architecture + Women NZ Winner of the A+W NZ Metalcraft Writing Award 2016 Tuesday morning and the phone on my desk is ringing. Hello? I’m needed on site. I look down and remember I’m wearing a dress. A quick sigh to myself as I pull on oversized steel toe boots from the office cupboard and a large orange vest, velcro it up and let it slip off one shoulder. Hard hat in hand, I march carefully down the hall and out the glass front door, feeling ridiculous, but looking official. Half an hour later I’m standing on a plane of butynol three storeys above ground. Four men and I g ..read more