Q&A with AIA Life Fellow Shane Thompson

You’re initially from Brisbane and have spent a big a part of your profession there. What impressed you to maneuver to Christchurch?

It was down to a mixture of non-public {and professional} causes. I used to be born in and educated close to Brisbane, however I’ve all the time had a powerful affinity with New Zealand. I’ve first cousins right here who I’m very near and a number of other mates and colleagues, who’ve lived or live in Christchurch who converse fondly of town and the Canterbury area.

I’ve been lucky sufficient to journey extensively for worldwide tasks, dwelling and dealing abroad. Now I’ve come to a degree the place I need new challenges, and to pursue a life outdoors a giant metropolis with a cooler local weather — Christchurch ticked all of the containers for my spouse and I. Being a rugby fanatic I’m fortunate to have two groups to assist now, the Crusaders and the Queensland Reds.

What attracted you to the Design Director place at Ignite, in specific?

After some analysis and some discussions with key leaders, I discovered Ignite to be a major follow in New Zealand with nice folks and a collaborative tradition that resonates with me strongly. I’ve all the time referred to myself as a business architect, although a variety of my work has been in public structure. I recognize that there are business drivers behind each challenge: person expertise, the longevity of buildings and a powerful consumer focus, and I can see these values embedded in Ignite.

I get pleasure from being primarily based in a smaller workplace, however half of a bigger organisation with design alternatives throughout Australasia. I’m lucky to have been embraced by the principals at Ignite Architects.

You have been awarded a Life Fellowship for the AIA. What led to this achievement?

There was a interval of my life the place I invested past my very own particular person profession, notably the expansion of BVN from 20 folks to considered one of Australia’s largest design-led practices.

Early in my profession, I noticed that purchasers had the notion of nice designers usually being primadonnas, with out sufficient respect for the purchasers’ programme. Together with the opposite principals at BVN, we developed a follow that provided glorious design however with respectful, well-managed supply.  We went on to be benchmark leaders within the career and persistently received Greatest Locations to Work awards together with design notability.

Seeing the necessity for change within the architectural career, when it comes to new tech and a altering social-cultural panorama, I additionally turned extremely engaged with a number of exterior organisations. This included management roles with the AIA, Artistic Director of the Nationwide Convention and positions in authorities and universities to advocate good design, gender fairness, various profession pathways and serving to discovered the Australian Inexperienced Growth Discussion board.

In depth publication and awards for my work and my function as a lecturer and common convention speaker have additionally enabled me to develop my community and meet some fantastic professionals alongside the approach.

I can see you’ve got a ardour for the humanities. May you identify your favorite artist or anybody who has had a selected affect in your work?

My favorite is a Queensland artist who I knew personally, Tom Risley. He has sadly handed away, however his character and follow have been a major affect on me.

Internationally, I’m an admirer of UK artist Peter Lanyon. I visited St Ives in Cornwall the place he lived and skilled the panorama that influenced his work, alongside together with his artwork within the Tate and different galleries. I recognize the visible energy of all artists who interpret the panorama, not solely as a bodily object however its bigger character. One other artist whose work I like is the outstanding New Zealand artist Colin McCahon who targeted on symbolic landscapes.

I’m a collector of latest artwork and a painter myself, having held a number of exhibitions in Australia. A number of my work is semi-abstract, summary, panorama or interiors targeted. All my work come from my sketchbooks, which I carry with me wherever I am going. I take break day to do intense intervals of portray.

Do you’ve got a favorite architectural design in New Zealand?

The standard of design work in New Zealand could be very excessive, and I imagine it deserves much more worldwide recognition than it’s acquired.

I’ve notably admired the work of Andrew Patterson, his home for Michael Hill at Arrowtown is astounding in its response to such a strong panorama, and the work of the late Rewi Thompson, whose personal home is imbued with a powerful sense of place and Māori cultural influences.

In case you may go on one piece of recommendation to budding architects, what wouldn’t it be?

Journey. It’s the very best recommendation for any younger individual. It places you outdoors your consolation zone, journey isn’t clean. You’re uncovered to totally different cultures and languages and are generally compelled into intervals of solitude which is nice for reflection and discovering your approach within the world.

For architects, journey enriches our visible tradition, our spatial and placemaking data, our understanding and expertise of supplies, and methods of constructing. It provides dimensions to your skilled capabilities that can’t be finished in every other approach. You may’t assist however be on an architectural tour — ask the associate of any architect, they’ll inform you it drives them loopy. We don’t watch the highway carefully sufficient as a result of we’re too busy searching of the window!