Tag: architecture

Colour studies: Recent design books

Alayne

Here are some of our recent design related books! This month we’ve got a strong focus on creating a happy and space efficient living space, as well as a look into the history of architecture and the modern trend of illustrators becoming tattoo artists.

Some of these items are on order, so they aren’t on the shelf yet. Reserve them today to be one of the first to read them!

Design Happy : Colorful Homes for the Modern Family / Wentz, Betsy
“In her first book, interior designer Betsy Wentz shares 13 fabulous family homes. The book is really a practical design guide for anyone who may not want–or simply cannot afford–to hire an interior designer. The story of each home includes color studies, design lessons, and pro tips, plus plenty of practical advice for anyone who might face similar challenges.” (Catalogue)

Houseplants and design : a New Zealand guide / Carlson, Liz
“Houseplants have never been hotter. They have the power to instantly turn a house into a home and to create a feeling of peace and calm, transforming both your physical space and your headspace. Bringing nature inside is a simple way to maintain a connection to the outdoors.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

New Tattoo Artists : Illustrators and Designers Meet Tattoo / Cortes, Mariona Cabassa (EDT)
“Artists from disciplines commonly seen as far removed from tattooing embrace it with a different look and approach. Artists from graphic design, photography, illustration, painting and sculpture have found in tattooing a new tool to express themselves and give way to their distinctive language. And they do it with a fresh look and extraordinary results…” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Tiny Living Spaces : Innovative Design Solutions / Baker, Lisa
“Exciting and surprising approaches of how living spaces reduced to a minimum can enhance the quality of life to a maximum The trend towards the Tiny House – and also the Micro Flat – is more than just a short-term hype. It is an attitude towards life, a contemplation on the essentials to which more and more people are attracted.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Living Wild: How to Plant Style Your Home and Cultivate Happiness / Carter, Hilton
“In Living Wild, bestselling ‘plantfluencer’, author, designer and family man Hilton Carter explores multiple ways to style your home with plants – and cultivate happiness along the way.” (Catalogue)

 

The Story of Architecture / Rybczynski, Witold
“An inviting exploration of architecture across cultures and centuries by one of the field’s eminent authors” (Catalogue)

 

Designing for the future: New books in Architecture

Tess

A clear trend across the new releases is a call for ecologically sensitive design practices, for both our residential and industrial spaces of the future. From the structural materials to labour and internal design choices, a common theme emerging from within the world of architectural design is the need for all aspects of society to embrace greener building practices.

Highlighted on multiple ‘Best of 2022’ lists is ‘Making Space: a history of New Zealand women in Architecture‘. Wellington historian Elizabeth Cox’s book has been praised for it’s comprehensive championing of female architects, and rightly so. It is a beautifully compiled, in-depth celebration of the significant contributions that Aotearoa’s female architects have made to their industry, many of whom had been overlooked in their time, or since relegated to the history books. Cox’s compilation shines a much needed light on the industry and celebrates the true diversity behind our architectural spaces.

Dive into these visually stunning, cutting-edge new books that envision the ways in which our homes, offices and public spaces can look better and function smarter, all while making the world feel good too.

Making space : a history of New Zealand women in architecture
“Brilliant, hardworking and creative, women architects have made many significant contributions to the built environment, creativity and community of Aotearoa New Zealand. This groundbreaking book spans over a century, telling the story of women making space for themselves in a male-dominated profession while designing architectural, landscape and urban spaces.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Architecture : from prehistory to climate emergency / Calder, Barnabas
“The buildings we live in, from the humblest pre-historic huts to today’s skyscrapers, reveal our priorities and ambitions, our family structures and power structures. In this ground-breaking history of world architecture, Calder takes us on a dazzling tour of some of the most astonishing buildings of the past fifteen thousand years. Calder argues if we are to avoid catastrophic climate change then now, more than ever, we need beautiful but also intelligent architecture, and to retrofit – not demolish – the buildings we already have. (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Living in the forest : contemporary houses in the woods
“Take a walk through the forest in this dynamic survey of contemporary forest homes. Each architect-designed house, whether demonstrating innovative ecological design or shoring against the elements, explores a different facet of woodland living across a huge range of countries worldwide. Connecting us to nature through their affinity with trees, each home in this collection powerfully demonstrates the importance of green living.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Eco-cities : new healthy architecture
“The projects presented in this book are magnificent recent examples of how architecture can create attractive residential buildings aware of their social function, promoting interaction between users and the harmonious relationship of the community with its natural and urban environment. Showing a great sensitivity towards issues such as sustainability, eco efficiency, or the integration and conservation of historical and industrial heritage.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

Never too small : reimagining small space living / Beath, Joel
“What does the future of urban living look like? Never Too Small explores this question through the lens of five small-footprint design principles and a showcase of 30 apartments and houses form around the world, all smaller than 50 square meters. Full of inspiration we can each apply to our own homes, this is a book that proves living better doesn’t have to mean living larger.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Eco-houses : sustainability & quality of life
“Sustainable design integrates consideration of resource and energy efficiency, healthy buildings and materials, ecologically and socially sensitive land-use, and an aesthetic sensitivity that inspire and affirms. In order to face these challenges, innovative and varied building strategies have been developed to contribute to the achievement of environmentally friendly homes that are alive and “breathe.” (Adapted from Catalogue)

 

Top 100 Non-Fiction books from 2022

Tess

Highlights of 2022

Our list of the top 100 non-fiction books for 2022 includes the best in memoirs and biographies, poetry, local history, science and technology, health, cooking, music, art and architecture. We’ve selected an eclectic mix of acclaimed local authors, New York Times Bestsellers, Pulitzer prize winners and breakthrough newcomers, meaning there’s plenty of choice for the deep-dive readers and coffee book lovers alike (and everyone in-between).

2022 Non-fiction Highlights — Browse the full list
Browse the full list with all our picks, or browse just the topic you enjoy!

I'm glad my mom died / Jeanette McCurdyMy fourth time, we drowned / Sally HaydenAs ever, the compelling human stories encompassing grief, love, personal trauma and strengths of character shine through, with a hearty selection of memoirs and biographies to choose from, including Sally Hayden’s critically acclaimed My fourth time, we drowned. Topping our most heavily reserved new non-fiction title of 2022 was Jennette McCurdy’s hit memoir I’m glad my mom died. A little further off the beaten path, was Hua Hsu’s ‘quietly wrenching’ coming-of-age memoir Stay True, and the visual delight of Kate Beaton’s graphic memoir Ducks: two years in the oil sands.

Contributions to the local poetry scene were beautifully espoused in Khadro Mohamed’s We’re all made of lightning and in the visual expressions of the poet/painter collaboration within Bordering on Miraculous. Shining locally likewise, the great architectural designs in Making Space and HomeGround, which highlight design as a conduits to push social boundaries in Aotearoa New Zealand communities.

Regenesis / by George MonbiotCalls for climate awareness were made riveting in The Alarmist, Nomad Century and Regenesis. Our oceans were also a focal point for many this year, and explored in great depth, with Jellyfish age backwards, Secrets of the Sea and in Adrift: the curious tale of Lego lost at sea, among others.

The collapse of historic empires, stories of divided nations and political parties in turmoil were explored in a multitude of ways in the vast array of global history titles featured on our list. Included are Legacy of Violence: A history of the British Empire by Pulitzer prize winning Historian Caroline Elkins, and Fragments of a contested past: Remembrance, denial and New Zealand history by Joanna Kidman.

Wawata: Moon Dreaming / by Hinemoa ElderWe let the world’s first astronomers take us on a star gazing tour, and found daily wisdom in Hinemoa Elder’s Wawata: Moon Dreaming. Cap off 2022 by allowing yourself to become enveloped in worlds both near and far, and understand our past, present and future within the Top 100 non-fiction books of 2022 list. Pair with our Top 100 fiction books list, and you’re all set for your Summer Reading Adventure.

Art Deco heritage architecture and collectables

Xinxin

Glamourous, avant-garde and beautiful, Art Deco style influenced the world since 1920 in architecture, fashion, jazz music, and cars. This blog has all things about Art Deco, from New York to New Zealand, and from admirable to collectable.

Art deco : living with the art deco style / Miller, Judith
“In the 1920s and 1930s, designers and craftsmen made innovative use of both natural and man-made materials to produce elegant pieces that broke with tradition and celebrated the future. This beautifully illustrated book explores all the key collecting areas, with chapters on furniture, glass, ceramics, sculpture, metalwork, silver and plastics, prints and posters, rugs and textiles. With clear price codes and biographies of key makers and designers. ” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk)

Art deco New Zealand : an illustrated guide / Moyle, Terry
“A book covers New Zealand’s Art Deco heritage in the world famous cities like Napier and Hastings, and in towns and cities throughout the country. With many Art Deco buildings obscured, dilapidated, or even lost, the stunning detailed illustrations bring to life a compelling and evocative vision of the past. Here the style and mood of buildings, along with the cars and fashion styles of the period give an appreciation of New Zealand’s Art Deco heritage. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Art deco : the twentieth century’s iconic decorative style, from Paris, London, and Brussels to New York, Sydney, and Santa Monica / Schwartzman, Arnold
“Art deco is the 20th century’s most glamorous architectural style which shaped popular ideas of modern luxury. This book highlights photographs of Art Deco buildings, with an emphasis on London, Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Miami, and Paris. Art Deco features detail on murals, mosaics, flooring, ironwork, and other ornamental flourishes.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Art deco collectibles : fashionable objets from the Jazz Age / Capstick-Dale, Rodney
“This book demonstrate Deco style items at the height of fashion, and are highly prized collectibles today. They demonstrate an era of close cooperation between designers and manufacturers, who aimed for function and beautiful products. This informative showcase of portable classics of avant-garde modern design from Britain, Europe (particularly France) and the United States.” (Adapted from Amazon.co.uk)

Sydney art deco / Sheridan, Peter
“Longlisted for the Indie Book Awards 2020 for Illustrated Non-Fiction. This book explores the impact of the Art Deco style on the landscape and life of Sydney during the 1930s and 1940s with a glimpse of Australian artwork, fashion, furniture and accessories. The time of Art Deco was a brief hiatus between two World Wars and compounded by the devastating effects of the Great Depression. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Raupo to deco : Wellington styles and architects, 1840-1940 / Mew, G
“Celebrating a century of architectural achievement in Wellington, this book links the progression of style characteristics from raupo thatching to art deco ornament with the development of the city. It contains information about more than 300 architects associated with Wellington at various times plus photos, elevations and reproductions of rare plans. The authors last collaboration was the prize-winning Ring Around the City.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Carpets of the art deco era / Day, Susan
“The design revolutions of the early 20th century were woven into the very fabric of the carpets and rugs of that era. It charts the evolution of Victorian floral into the angular elegance of Art Deco and bold abstraction of Modernism. Such artists and designers as Picasso, Poiret, Gray, Delaunay, Matisse, Klee, and many more advanced the designs going on underfoot, making these rugs extremely collectible artworks in their own right. ” (Adapted from the Catalogue)

A kind of magic : art deco vanity cases / Hue-Williams, Sarah
“After 1918, post-war euphoria spread across Europe and America. Technology such as aeroplanes, motorcars and ocean liners changed the pace of life, while avant-garde fashion, jazz, The Great Gatsby and Hollywood flourished. The vanity case, the ultimate jewelled fashion accessory were made using  precious metals including platinum and gold, with inlays of lacquer, gemstones, mother of pearl, jade, or enamel. These ‘reticules’ took Paris’ skilled designers and craftsmen months to complete and were extremely expensive. Objects of desire to be passed round and shown off at gatherings of the super-rich, they became miniature status symbols to be seen with at the opera or restaurant. (Adapted from the Catalogue)

Design and Living by E. A. Plischke

Gábor

Now digitised on Wellington City Recollect, ‘Design and Living’ published in 1947 offers pertinent solutions to our current housing issues nearly 75 years later.

Ernst Anton Plischke (1903 – 1992) was one of the most notable architects ever to work in New Zealand. Though he produced only a limited number of buildings while living here, his influence on the path that NZ architecture and design would follow in the subsequent decades was considerable. He arrived in Wellington in 1939 from his native Vienna just four months before the start of World War II, having fled here with his Jewish wife and stepson following Nazi Germany’s ‘Anschluss’ with Austria.  Settling in Brooklyn,  it was in the capital that his influence had its greatest impact. He had impeccable credentials having studied & worked under the legendary German Modernist Peter Behrens, knew Le Corbusier, met Frank Lloyd Wright and had personally designed domestic and commercial buildings in the 1920s and 1930s in Austria that still look contemporary today.

Continue reading “Design and Living by E. A. Plischke” →

Ian Athfield talk at the Central Library

Gábor

ian athfieldAs part of the 20th anniversary celebrations for the Central Library building, the pricipal architect of the building, Ian Athfield will be giving a free talk on Tuesday 13th December 2011 at 6pm on the 2nd floor. Titled Why is the library more than just about books? his talk will discuss how the presence of a library can “inform” the physical structure of its neighbourhood as well as his thoughts and memories of how the building’s design came about.

Ian Athfield is the founding principal of the Wellington-based firm, Athfield Architects Limited. He has headed this practice since its inception in 1968 and has been responsible for most of the design direction through this period.

As well as his contribution to the design of a broad range of projects throughout New Zealand, in 1976 “Ath” won an international design competition for housing in Manila, the Philippines. He has been involved in a teaching fellowship with Victoria University, has been a keynote speaker at various international conferences and has judged at numerous architectural / urban design competitions. Under his directorship Athfield Architects has won over 100 design awards. In 2004 he was the recipient of the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the Gold Medal, and from 2006 – 2008 was President of the NZIA. In 2006 he became the first New Zealander  to be registered as an APEC Architect. More recently he has been a member of the Auckland City Property Enterprise Board, advisor to Auckland’s Aotea Square development and a member of the assessment panel for the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery master plan. He is currently serving on the Board of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust and was made NZIA Architectural Ambassador to Christchurch soon after the September 2010 earthquake to provide advice and coordination during the rebuild and restoration process.

Come and enjoy this rare opportunity to hear one of New Zealand’s best known architects whose designs and influences have made a significant impact on Wellington’s urban geography.

Details:

Ian Athfield : Why is the library more than just about books?
Tuesday 13th December, 6pm, Central Library (2nd floor), 65 Victoria Street.
Free and everyone is welcome – just come along.