Meridian First Light House - Solar Decathlon 2011



Victoria University's design for the Solar Decathlon 2011. 



Building in progress - this is Day 7.



The Meridian Firstlight house on the Wellington waterfront.




Closer up - Day 9.

There is an exciting sight down on the Wellington waterfront right now - it is the Victoria University's Meridian First Light House for the US Department of Solar Energy Decathlon 2011. They have been selected as one of 20 University teams around the world and the only one ever from the Southern hemisphere to compete. Awesome. Their challenge was to "design, build and operate a cost-effective, energy-efficient, and attractive solar-powered house." Right now they are building the actual house (and getting some attention) on the Wellington waterfront - a practice run if you like, before packing up the house and sending it over to Washington D.C. This project has been 2 years in the making and I wish them all the best. Read more about it here and here.
If you're in Wellington, check out the viewing this weekend.
Photographs via Firstlight House Facebook page.

Christchurch Earthquake



The whole of New Zealand are in dismay and in shock by the tragic earthquake that has happened in Christchurch this afternoon. The city and its buildings have been severely damaged by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck before 1pm close to the city centre. This means that many people were out and about in the city and we have many fatalities. The city is a disaster zone. We wish for quick rescue to those trapped and recovery to all those hurt and lost. Christchurch - the rest of country is in shock with you.
If you wish to be updated about the disaster, check out the latest news here.
Photograph via Stuff.

In Sympathy.



New Zealand War Memorial, Hyde Park, London.



'Southern Strand' at night.



A fantail on the cross.

A client of mine has lost her young soldier son in Afghanistan this week. In sympathy and remembrance for him and to those before us, I thought about the New Zealand War Memorial located at Hyde Park Corner, London. Designed by NZ sculptor, Paul Dibble and Wellington architect, John Hardwick-Smith from Athfield Architects, the memorial is called 'The Southern Strand'. It consists of 16 bronze cross-shaped vertical elements which stand like soldiers. These have patterns, texts and other details which reflect on all things New Zealand. Read the interviews of Dibble (here) and Hardwick-Smith (here) to learn more about the memorial.
This memorial was recognised by the NZIA Architecture Awards in 2009.
Photographs via Aesthetics Lighting.