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In 2016 Aotearoa lost architect and teacher Rewi Thompson too young. But as an innovative new book reveals - Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere - Thompson’s legacy lives on not only in buildings and public projects but also his imaginative drawings and teaching. Of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Raukawa descent, Rewi Thompson’s works are often more complex than they initially appear. He was noted for his careful consideration of cultural concepts, people and place, and a collaborative approach across civic, social and private projects. His work shows the strong influence of Te Ao Māori but often refused to be bound by notions of Māori architecture. Thompson’s celebrated public projects include Pōneke’s City to Sea Bridge, bold Pacific-influenced canopies in the Ōtara Town Centre, the Pūkenga School of Māori Studies at Unitec and the ‘marae style’ concept of the Mason Clinic. The book features many commissions, realised and unrealised, including his own bold home in Kohimarama and a submission to design the Te Papa building with Ian Athfield and Frank Gehry. Thompson was also notable for his emphatic revisioning of public housing, prisons and health centres. Published by Massey University Press, Rewi has been a major undertaking for editors Jade Kake and Jeremy Hansen, who worked closely with the architect's daughter Lucy Thompson. Jade, Jeremy and Lucy join Mark Amery on Culture 101. Accompanying the book is exhibition Koha: The speculative worlds of Rewi Thompson at Objectspace, Tāmaki Makaurau until 19 November. [Sunday 15 October 2023, 14:06]

Primary Title
  • Culture 101 - The enduring legacy of visionary architect Rewi Thompson (Excerpt)
Date Broadcast
  • Sunday 15 October 2023
Start Time
  • 14 : 06
Finish Time
  • 14 : 29
Duration
  • 23:00
Channel
  • RNZ National
Broadcaster
  • Radio New Zealand
Programme Description
  • In 2016 Aotearoa lost architect and teacher Rewi Thompson too young. But as an innovative new book reveals - Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere - Thompson’s legacy lives on not only in buildings and public projects but also his imaginative drawings and teaching. Of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Raukawa descent, Rewi Thompson’s works are often more complex than they initially appear. He was noted for his careful consideration of cultural concepts, people and place, and a collaborative approach across civic, social and private projects. His work shows the strong influence of Te Ao Māori but often refused to be bound by notions of Māori architecture. Thompson’s celebrated public projects include Pōneke’s City to Sea Bridge, bold Pacific-influenced canopies in the Ōtara Town Centre, the Pūkenga School of Māori Studies at Unitec and the ‘marae style’ concept of the Mason Clinic. The book features many commissions, realised and unrealised, including his own bold home in Kohimarama and a submission to design the Te Papa building with Ian Athfield and Frank Gehry. Thompson was also notable for his emphatic revisioning of public housing, prisons and health centres. Published by Massey University Press, Rewi has been a major undertaking for editors Jade Kake and Jeremy Hansen, who worked closely with the architect's daughter Lucy Thompson. Jade, Jeremy and Lucy join Mark Amery on Culture 101. Accompanying the book is exhibition Koha: The speculative worlds of Rewi Thompson at Objectspace, Tāmaki Makaurau until 19 November. [Sunday 15 October 2023, 14:06]
Owning Collection
  • Chapman Archive
Broadcast Platform
  • Radio
Languages
  • English
Live Broadcast
  • Yes
Rights Statement
  • Made for the University of Auckland's educational use as permitted by the Screenrights Licensing Agreement.
Notes
  • This is an excerpt of RNZ National's "Culture 101" for Sunday 15 October 2023 between 14:06 - 14:29. The associated article is retrieved from "https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/culture-101/audio/2018910847/the-enduring-legacy-of-visionary-architect-rewi-thompson".
Genres
  • Art
  • Community
  • Interview
  • Retrospective
Hosts
  • Mark Amery (Presenter)
Contributors
  • Jade Kake (Guest - Editor)
  • Jeremy Hansen (Guest - Editor)
  • Lucy Thompson (Guest - Rewi Thompson's daughter)