What do our houses tell us about New Zealand culture?

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16 June 2020

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7 min read

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For anyone planning to build a home, working within any aspect of the built environment, or just interested in the architectural world around us, an understanding of New Zealand’s contemporary house styles is useful. We spoke with Wellington-based architect Gerald Parsonson of Parsonson Architects about New Zealand’s architectural languages, what they tell us about our culture, and whether the current global pandemic is a timely reminder that we need more well-designed homes and communities.
Many new homes are being prefabricated to speed up the construction process, such as Tuarangi, a modest family home in Auckland by TOA Architects, with a prefabricated superstructure that was erected in 10 days. Photograph by David Straight.
Many new homes are being prefabricated to speed up the construction process, such as Tuarangi, a modest family home in Auckland by TOA Architects, with a prefabricated superstructure that was erected in 10 days. Photograph by David Straight.
Constructed in local schist, Mt Aspiring House, by Mason & Wales Architects, pays homage to the jaw-dropping views of Lake Wanaka and The Remarkables through full-height glazing and this linking pond between forms. Photograph by Simon Devitt.
Constructed in local schist, Mt Aspiring House, by Mason & Wales Architects, pays homage to the jaw-dropping views of Lake Wanaka and The Remarkables through full-height glazing and this linking pond between forms. Photograph by Simon Devitt.
One of a new breed of modest but well-designed New Zealand homes, this 64m² tiny house is occupied by builder Rhys Doesburg and his family while he plans a larger house on this infill site in Wellington. Photograph by Andre Vroon.
One of a new breed of modest but well-designed New Zealand homes, this 64m² tiny house is occupied by builder Rhys Doesburg and his family while he plans a larger house on this infill site in Wellington. Photograph by Andre Vroon.
A community-minded housing development in Christchurch, Lintrathen Gardens by Sheppard & Rout Architects hosts ten townhouses connected to a shared riverside green of the Avon River. Photograph by Jason Mann.
A community-minded housing development in Christchurch, Lintrathen Gardens by Sheppard & Rout Architects hosts ten townhouses connected to a shared riverside green of the Avon River. Photograph by Jason Mann.
Parsonson Architects' Zavos Corner Apartments sit within the heritage Wellington fringe area of Mount Victoria. Photograph by Jeff Brass.
Parsonson Architects' Zavos Corner Apartments sit within the heritage Wellington fringe area of Mount Victoria. Photograph by Jeff Brass.
Patterson Associates' Country House in the City, Auckland, is 'a pavilion in a garden' designed for food and family, with a virtually seamless flow from the indoor to outdoor dining areas, a farmhouse kitchen and garden. Photograph by Simon Devitt.
Patterson Associates' Country House in the City, Auckland, is 'a pavilion in a garden' designed for food and family, with a virtually seamless flow from the indoor to outdoor dining areas, a farmhouse kitchen and garden. Photograph by Simon Devitt.
Parsonson Architects' design of Te Horo Beach House responds to the surrounding sand dunes with bach-style living, materials and colours that respond to the local environment. Photograph by Paul McCredie.
Parsonson Architects' design of Te Horo Beach House responds to the surrounding sand dunes with bach-style living, materials and colours that respond to the local environment. Photograph by Paul McCredie.
Herbst Architects’ Under Pohutukawa house (above and in the top banner image) is part of its setting through the layering and expression of timbers, structure and space. Photograph by Patrick Reynolds.
Herbst Architects’ Under Pohutukawa house (above and in the top banner image) is part of its setting through the layering and expression of timbers, structure and space. Photograph by Patrick Reynolds.
The enclosed winter garden at Salmont Place apartments provides warmth and shelter from the wind and rain, while still allowing the occupants to enjoy the magnificent view over Wellington Harbour. Photograph by David Straight.
The enclosed winter garden at Salmont Place apartments provides warmth and shelter from the wind and rain, while still allowing the occupants to enjoy the magnificent view over Wellington Harbour. Photograph by David Straight.
Mason & Wales' Mt Aspiring House pays homage to the jaw-dropping views of Lake Wanaka and The Remarkables. Photograph by Simon Devitt.
Mason & Wales' Mt Aspiring House pays homage to the jaw-dropping views of Lake Wanaka and The Remarkables. Photograph by Simon Devitt.