Andrew Patterson’s Houses of Aotearoa

“Cutting-edge New Zealand architecture will be highlighted on the global stage with the release of ‘Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa’ – a new UK-published book showcasing the work of the architecture studio founded by Andrew Patterson. The book is the first volume of its kind for New Zealand architecture.

“In Maori culture, architecture is approached as a construction of beliefs: a building must emulate and amplify personalities, hopes, and aspirations, becoming a physical expression of those who inhabit it. These ideas and others are the inspirations behind the design projects of New Zealand architect Andrew Patterson, who has been designing houses and civic projects in the country for over thirty years,” as described on Amazon.

“We approached Andrew about a possible publication, not just because of the growing popularity of New Zealand as an international destination of breath-taking landscapes, but because of the unique way in which his houses engaged with their surroundings and culture,” said Lucas Dietrich, the International Editorial Director at London-based Thames and Hudson.

“At a time when our screen-based lifestyles have generated a greater desire to commune with nature, increasingly as remotely as possible, Andrew’s houses offer not only the ultimate escapist fantasies but hands-on and culturally sensitive approaches to building better, and more beautiful, houses that offer lessons to architects and home-builders across the planet.”

Patterson said of the book: “I have been pretty humbled by the interest in our work, we have beautiful natural environments in New Zealand and it’s a thrill to receive recognition for the design of our built environment as well.”

“Patterson: Houses of Aotearoa celebrates the studio’s residential work, showcasing 14 distinctive houses arranged in five sections. Each section delves into a different aspect of the architects’ relationship with New Zealand and illuminates how Māori mythology, history, landscape and sense of place shape the design.”

It is prefaced by a forward written by architectural critic Herbert Ypma.

“Timeless, emotive architecture is about understanding the history, the culture and the landscape of a particular place and incorporating all of it into a new end. Andrew Patterson does this better than anyone, especially on his home turf,” wrote Ypma.

While the book focuses on residential work, Patterson’s studio is perhaps best known for its civic and commercial projects including some of the country’s most recognisable buildings, amongst them New Plymouth’s Len Lye Centre and the Christchurch Botanic Garden Centre.

Founding director of Parnell-based Patterson Associates, Andrew Patterson, was born in the Waikato region. He completed a Bachelor of Architecture degree at The University of Auckland and received the commission for his first house before he had graduated. He started his own practice when he was only 26.

In 2017 the New Zealander was awarded the 2017 New Zealand Institute of Architect’s Gold Medal and he was named by World Architecture News as one of 21 architects “whose directional ideas are helping to shape the future of world architecture”.

Article Source: Amazon