Young Miles was on the telly last Sunday. Artsville ran a profile on the architect and his work. It’s no action thriller, but there’s some great shots of College House and early Christchurch work. Miles himself remains coy.

Watch it on TVNZ while the link lasts.

Rover parking only in this 1970s mix of Japanese, Scandinavian and Christchurch influences on the Cashmere flats. And if you want a chimney that laughs in the face of earthquakes, here’s your guy.

…continue reading 155 Ashgrove Tce. Architect Unknown.

Karn Henning Hansen remembers her late father in an article written for the local NZIA journal. It’s a good read about a quiet modernist whose architecture focused on the principles of the movement and never the style

Download the PDF

Andrew Barrie shas compiled another excellent architectural tour – this time it’s our favourite non-conformist, Peter Beaven. The guide features some of Peter’s key buildings from 1950-70 including a few of the houses featured right here on Christchurch Modern.

Download the guide.

Two fat ladies – Wobbly wobbly.

Hooray for Super Graphics.

This house was designed by Bruce during a brief period he practised on his own after leaving Warren & Mahoney in mid 60s. He left NZ for the UK in 1970.

Christchurch Art Gallery, 7 March – 14 June 2009.

Miles: a life in architecture will reveal Sir Miles’s contribution to modernist architecture as well as his success as a watercolourist and gardener.

Miles also turns 80 during the exhibition. Happy birthday Sir.

…continue reading Miles: a life in architecture

Like Britney’s mum, Sir Miles pens tell-all book:

“This book is not a solemn treatise on the art of architecture. It is about my life in architecture, about the process of designing and making of buildings, responding to clients and dealing with builders, the tos and fros and the ups and downs, the fun of being an architect.

…continue reading Miles Warren an Autobiography.

Designed in 1976 for a wealthy builder, the Forbes House is arguably the grandest of Warren & Mahoney’s residential buildings of the time. The house is formidable: raw, exposed concrete beams dominate, yet it’s elegant and totally cool.

…continue reading 5a Snowdon Rd. Forbes House. Warren & Mahoney.

“Before he achieved worldwide fame as an actor, Sam Neill directed this documentary for the National Film Unit about lively New Zealand architect Ian Athfield. It examines the philosophy, achievements and frustrations of one of this country’s most innovative architects,

…continue reading Architect Athfield. 1977 Documentary Film.

Christchurch Art Gallery.

18 – 24 October, 10am – 4pm on the hour.

This film profiles the interior and exterior of four modern houses in Christchurch using archival photographs and contemporary video with voiceover from architects and inhabitants.

…continue reading Four Houses From Four Decades

Post-War Canterbury Architecture 1945-1970

15 October – 1 November. An exhibition of architectural drawings and models held, appropriately, in the Minson, Henning-Hanson and Dines building that won the NZIA National Award in 1976.

…continue reading Constructing The Modern City.

A wonderful survey of New Zealand architecture from the 1950s and 60s featuring archival photographs from the time. Features many Christchurch homes including Paul Pascoe’s Graham House in South Shore (pictured) that was given planning exemption due to its ‘experimental’ roof.

…continue reading Looking for the Local.