| 73 ARCHITECTURE Pattersons T T Kim Newth WAF award a first for NZ architect Ravenscar House was selected as best cultural building out of a very competitive international field at last year’s World Architecture Festival (WAF) awards. Photo: Sam Hartnett For the first time ever, a New Zealand architect has won the sought-after culture award at the World Architecture Festival (WAF). Andrew Patterson and his team are thrilled that Ravenscar House was selected as best cultural building out of a very competitive international field at last year’s awards. “It’s a humble feeling to be assessed by some of the best architects in the world for this award,” says Andrew, the project’s lead architect. “ We had entered the building in 2022 but were overlooked, so we entered again, and won. Our office is a tightknit group and we collaborate as a team on our projects, so of course we were all pushed over the moon by the recognition.” The WAF is the world’s largest festival and live awards competition dedicated to celebrating and sharing architectural excellence from across the globe and its culture award is respected as a pre-eminent achievement in international architecture. Ravenscar House was dwarfed by museums, theatres and opera houses from around the world, both in terms of budget and size, yet still went on to win. “That a wee Museum could stand out in such a field is a real thrill for us.” Only one other New Zealand building has ever won the WAF culture award – the Auckland Art Gallery – but, as Andrew observes, its concept was designed by an Australian architect. New Zealand homegrown architecture can now take a bow. “For us as a practice, this is hugely encouraging. It is also generating awareness of our work; we have been getting enquiries from around the world.” The WAF award also puts Ravenscar House Museum on the world map. Andrew says the chairman of Ravenscar Trust, which manages the Ravenscar Trust Collection, attended the 2022 year’s festival in Singapore – “now they are absolutely delighted!” Selection for the WAF awards is a lengthy and rigorous process. Up to 20 eventually make the shortlist, with each entrant given 20 minutes to present to a jury of expert judges. “I think what the judges most liked about Ravenscar House is that its walls are constructed from the rubble of the Christchurch earthquakes – it’s like a phoenix rising from the ashes.” “I think what the judges most liked about Ravenscar House is that its walls are constructed from the rubble of the Christchurch earthquakes – it’s like a phoenix rising from the ashes.” Victorian red brick, neo gothic black basalt and old granite paving are literally built into the Museum, holding memories while also giving those salvaged materials a new life. Ravenscar House Museum owes its existence to the late Jim and Susan Wakefield, who lost their Redcliffs home and garden in the earthquakes and decided to put their insurance payout towards a public building to help restore the devastated city. Their generous gift stands today on Rolleston Avenue, providing a unique house museum containing art and artefacts. Residential in scale and centered around a courtyard and impluvium, the building’s galleries echo the Wakefield’s original home. The carefully considered design reflects too the Christchurch tradition of cloisters and courtyards, serving as a memorial to the earthquake and the city’s lost heritage. Pattersons is a leading NZ architectural practice. Another one of their projects - Black Peak/Mount Burke House - was shortlisted for a 2022 WAF award. Among many award- winning projects are the Christchurch Botanic Gardens Centre, the Michael Hill Golf Clubhouse, (selected as one of the world’s best sports and leisure buildings in 2008) and Annandale Homestead, a conservation gem on Banks Peninsula. We can help with a wide range of Precast and Prestressed concrete from design to supply. Proud to be associated with the Pattersons development 3 Ashford Avenue, Ashburton | Phone 03 928 8013 Please contact us at Ashburton@busck.co.nz or visit our web site www.busck.co.nz BUSCK PRESTRESSED CONCRETE LTD
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