Architects planning week of 'joy'

Architectural sculptures constructed from cans of food, a Japanese architect renowned for his ultra skinny buildings and a Melbourne architect who is a "committed urbanite" will be the stars of Auckland Architecture Week September 6-12.

Using the theme the Joy of Architecture, the week will celebrate the architecture, buildings and urban spaces in and around Auckland.

Organised by the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, the event aims to get architects, designers, urban planners and the public involved in celebrating the diversity and excitement of architecture. It will also be an opportunity for architects and the general public to learn more about their city and to become involved in its history and its future.

The War Memorial Museum, the Auckland City Council, Auckland University, Unitec, and the Historic Places Trust are among the community groups and organisations who will take part in the event.

Most of the events will take place in the Britomart area with all events (excluding the Waro Kishi lecture) open to the public and free of charge.

One of the most visual and entertaining events of the week-long event will be Can Construct. A number of top architectural practices will compete to create giant installations or sculptures using thousands of cans of food. The public will be able to watch architects working on their installations and at the close of the exhibition, which will be held at the Britomart Pavilion, the canned food will be donated to Auckland City Mission.

There will be lectures and discussions at 1pm and 5pm each day in the Britomart Pavilion, followed by launches of exhibitions and books.

Other events during Auckland Architecture Week will include site visits to significant Auckland buildings, ranging from historical to modern commercial buildings; heritage walks through Parnell and the University of Auckland campus, as well as a Pub tour of Historic Auckland Pubs; exhibitions of architectural work, of art by architects and architectural photography; panel discussions about art working with architecture, about sustainable architecture and urban issues; book launches; and the Jasmax Film Festival.

Barcode will see over 100 architectural students from the University of Auckland and AUT University create bar installations, which will go live on September 8, in Britomart. Also on show will be an exhibition of indigenous architecture, the Architecture of Brazil, and an architectural treasure hunt, organised by the Historic Places Trust, around the Auckland City Midtown area.

Readers of nzherald will have a chance to win a digital camera in an Architecture Week photo contest [details to be announced soon].

Keynote speakers at Auckland Architecture Week will be Japanese architect Waro Kishi and Melbourne architect Nonda Katsalidis.