NZIA Talks: An architecture drawing riot chaired by Lynda Simmons

In collaboration with Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Branch, join us for the first of two talks exploring how drawing practices shape the way architecture is designed and understood.

Inspired by our current exhibition, Rendered Futures: Drawing architecture, this series highlights architectural drawing as a shape-shifting and at times radical form. More than just a means of technical instruction and representation of the built realm, drawing also serves as a site of advocacy, experimentation, and cultural production – much of which often remains invisible beyond the discipline itself.

In this session, chaired by Lynda Simmons, we’ll take a deep dive into the experimental drawing practices that emerged in the 1980s, giving rise to an enduring architectural drawing culture. Sarah Treadwell is recognised for her significant contribution, challenging traditional norms of architectural drawing in favour of more diverse and complex understandings of built environments. Simmons and the panellists will reflect on Sarah’s legacy and its ongoing impact today.

Panellists include Dr Marian Macken, Lise Jansen-Luke and Dr Rafik Patel.

—

Lynda Simmons is active in architecture education, practice, and advocacy. She is a Professional Teaching Fellow at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland, is a Fellow of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects, has been a Registered Architect since 1989, and has run her own practice since 1997. Her practice experience includes work in New York, Vancouver, London and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. She has acted as juror for, and been recipient of, architectural awards including through the NZIA and the Auckland Architecture Association. In 2011 she co-founded Architecture + Women NZ. Simmons has an ongoing passion for research and community support in the area of equity and architecture.

Dr Marian Macken teaches in design and architectural media at Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland’s Te Pare School of Architecture and Planning. She trained in architecture, landscape architecture and visual art, receiving a PhD, by thesis and creative work, from the University of Sydney. Her creative practice, research, and writing primarily focuses on architectural drawing, time and architecture, and design pedagogy. Her work has been acquired by public collections of artists’ books, including collections at Tate Britain, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture.

Lise Jansen-Luke holds a Master of Architecture from Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland. She currently works at Cheshire Architects in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Born in Pōneke, Wellington, Jansen-Luke moved to Auckland to study architecture. She began to incorporate printmaking techniques in her architectural drawing practice during her final year of Master’s research, and has continued to utilise wood-printing, mono-printing and intricate hand-etching techniques in her work.

Dr Rafik Patel is a Senior Lecturer in Spatial Design at Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau Auckland University of Technology. Rafik's research examines an Islamic ontology of space, whereby the philosophy becomes the motile thinking for renewing grounds as a spatial architectural practitioner. Through the act of drawing, his research explores the notion of Wujūd (Being and Existence) and event as an ontological turn and auto-ethnographic methodology. That is to say, these concepts become the force for rethinking theory and practice.

—

This event is presented in partnership between Objectspace and Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Branch. NZIA are committed to promoting and celebrating outstanding architecture that enhances our cities, towns and natural environments.