Len Lye Centre architect Andrew Patterson to speak in Whanganui

One of New Zealand's premier architects is on his way to Whanganui as part of a tour of lectures throughout the country.

Andrew Patterson, who was the brains behind the Len Lye Centre in New Plymouth, will give a free public talk at Heritage House at 4.30pm this Friday.

Patterson was the most recent winner of the Institute of Architects' Gold Medal for career work - this country's premier architecture award.

He said he was looking forward to seeing how Whanganui had changed in recent years.

"Whanganui is a place in New Zealand which is reinventing itself and that's really good to see," he said.

"It's had a very illustrious heritage in the past and it's a beautiful town with beautiful buildings."

He pointed to the Sarjeant Galley as one example of exceptional architecture.

Patterson's lecture will cover his career work as well as his design philosophy.

As well as being the architect for the Len Lye Centre, Patterson designed the Michael Hill Golf Clubhouse in Queenstown and The Lodge at Kinloch Club near Taupo.

He'll also give talks in Taupo, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch and Dunedin.