An architectural icon
Ian Athfield, winner of an Arts Foundation Icon Award.
Te Hononga Civic Centre in Christchurch, designed by Athfield Architects.
Civic boulevard by Athfield Architects.
Athfield’s home and workplace, Amritsar.
Amritsar in Khandallah, Welllington.
Taranaki wharf, designed by Athfield Architects.
Ian Athfield, the renowned Wellington architect, was honoured for his extraordinary work at the Arts Foundation’s Icon Awards on the weekend.
The 73-year-old founder of Athfield Architects Limited is best known for his asymetrical, unconventional residential designs and for great civic structures (Wellington City Library, the new Dowse Museum, Christchurch Civic Centre). His most famous project, his own home, Amritsar, on the hillside of Khandallah, is still a work in progress after almost 50 years and is the subject of a recent book by Simon Devitt.
Athfield was one of five recipients to receive an Icon Award, but it’s by no means his first accolade. Under his directorship, Athfield Architects has won more than 100 design awards and has been the subject of an exhibition and a number of books. In 2004, Ath was the recipient of the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ highest honour, the Gold Medal, and from 2006 – 2008 he was President of the NZIA.
