Award winning architectural designer, Ian Butt, will be stomping on home ground at this year's ADNZ national conference in September in the Bay of Islands. Ian has been working with the Waitangi National Trust since the 1990's when he designed an extension to the original administration centre, so he was an obvious choice when it came to selecting key speakers for this year’s conference.
Ian will talk about two key projects during his address - the Hundertwasser Art Centre in Whangarei and the work he and business partner Grant Harris (Harris Butt Architecture) have completed for the Trust. Since completing the original work on the administration centre, Harris Butt Architecture has gone on to work on the Gateway building which provides the main entry to the site and also an NZIA award winning ablution block. Harris Butt Architecture is also working on the new Waitangi Museum.
During their address Ian and Grant will focus on the special requirements associated with working on such a sacred site.
"As an architectural designer I am mindful of the need to acknowledge the history and sensitivity associated with the site and ensure that any work we undertake fits the environment and the natural setting," said Ian.
As a result of that philosophy, the buildings are all contoured to nestle into their natural setting. During all work, the Historic Places Trust provides significant supervision and during all excavations they have a representative on site to manage any incidental discoveries.
According to Ian, their practice works closely with HPT throughout the process to ensure the best outcome for everyone.
Ian started out life as a civil engineering draughtsman with the then Ministry of Works but early on he decided that architectural design was more in line with his ambitions. So, after the obligatory OE he returned to New Zealand and started his new career. In 1984 he established his own practice. Ian has been a professional member of ADNZ since 1989. His practice currently employs a senior technician and two graduates, in addition to the two partners.
The partnership is responsible for several award winning buildings in the region including this year's Auckland/Northland ADNZ | Resene Architectural Design Award for commercial/industrial architecture for the Northland Port Corporation offices.
Ian encourages all members to attend the conference for both the networking opportunities it brings and also the insights it provides.
Click here for ADNZ 2014 National Conference registration.
