2008 Episode 3: Architect Of Dreams
Ian Athfield - Architect Of
Dreams
Ian Athfield is a maverick. A celebrated, award-winning Architect,
whose practice spans almost 40 years. His buildings and his
personality have helped shape our cities and the world we live
in.
Athfield is opinionated, outspoken, passionate. He's one of New Zealand's great characters who brings a unique vision to all his work.
Ian Athfield is an architect with a unique highly personal process- he works closely with clients in an interactive way, creating sites that speak to the landscape and to cultural and social needs. His work reflects a distinctly New Zealand identity
At the heart of Athfield's practice is his own monumental Athfield House on the Kandallah hillside. Part family home, part office, a village almost. It is a truly personal vision - Athfield has built much of it himself, brick by brick!
It is Athfield's autobiography, a kind of concrete diary that records an individual, idiosyncratic journey. It is a wonderful, mad, foolhardy, expensive, undertaking but also inspiring, challenging, unique and individual. Like Athfield himself!
This documentary on Ian Athfield captures the energy, spirit and intelligence of one of New Zealand's most influential creative forces. Apart from his own extraordinary house we explore a number of the houses and buildings he has designed including The Wellington Public Library, The Civic Square, Adam Art Gallery and Sam Neil and Allan Duffs' houses.
The documentary also looks at Athfield's passionately held ideas
on urban design and town planning which have helped shape New
Zealand's urban environment particularly the Wellington
waterfront.
Film and TV director
Geoffrey Cawthorn
Geoffrey Cawthorn has directed drama and documentary for over 15 years both in New Zealand and Australia.
His NZ credits include the telemovie Lawless, TV series Maddigan's Quest, Mercy Peak, Rude Awakenings, The Market, Shortland Street and Amazing Extraordinary Friends. In Australia he has helmed All Saints, Stingers, MurderCall and a number of award winning children's series, including Eugenie Sandler and Holly's Heroes.
He is an award-winning short film maker with his short film Philosophy winning Best Short at the 1999 NZ Film Awards. Geoff is also a musician and composer and as a documentary maker he has frequently made documentary films with musical subjects such as Ten Guitars, Mike Nock -A jazz life. Other subjects include the criminal justice system in Blind Justice and a new film on Architect Ian Athfield.
Geoff also directed and edited Front Up and The Movie Show for
SBS in Australia. Geoff is passionate about telling stories,
has a strong focus on character and brings a sophisticated visual
eye to all his work.
