This week, Curbed's resident architecture critic Alexandra Lange has been down in New Zealand, traipsing through some of the best architectural, art, and design delights the lush island nation has to offer. From Shigeru Ban's cardboard cathedral to a Richard Serra sculpture to the most marvelous playground* in Christchurch, New Zealand appears to be an endless treasure trove of visual deliciousness. Here for your viewing pleasure, our critic's New Zealand adventures documented through Instagram (captions by Lange).
* See also Lange's fresh book report on Dutch architect and master playground designer Aldo van Eyck.
Auckland waterfront tanks, end of the Wynyard Quarter.
Wind Tree, Michio Ihara, 1971
A building with scales like a fish, Jellicoe Street.
Ended the day at the home of Pete Bossley and Miriam van Wezel.
Waimate North Mission.
Marsden Cross, Cheshire Architects.
Marsden Cross, Cheshire Architects.
Steel topo model, Marsden Cross.
The Landing, Vineyard Villa, Nat Cheshire.
The Landing, the Tower, Pip Cheshire.
The walls slide all the way back. Vineyard Villa, The Landing, Nat Cheshire.
Maori kete, beautifully displayed.
Sol LeWitt, Gibbs Farm, Kaipara Harbor.
Richard Serra, Gibbs Farm, Kaipara Harbor.
Leon van den Eijkel, Gibbs Farm, Kaipara Harbor.
Eyrie, two 29 square meter cabins in Kaiwaka by Nat Cheshire.
Donald Judd in the black cabin // other has a golden ply interior.
Brass kitchen + view of Kaipara Harbor. Nat Cheshire.
New house also along Kaipara Harbor, Dave Launder. Front.
And back. Blue is aluminum panels.
Auckland Art Gallery.
The solution to all your guest problems, via Peggy Deamer in Kaipara Harbor.
Orongo Station, near Gisbourne. Views of wetland reclamation and sustainable citrus plantation by Nelson Byrd Woltz.
Longbush Ecosanctuary Welcome Shelter, Sarosh Mulla. All volunteer labor + donated materials.
1970s nirvana. Athfield home + studio, Wellington.
View from the tower, Athfield home + studio.
Living room of what was the Athfield home.
Futuna Chapel, John Scott, 1958.
Futuna Chapel, John Scott, 1958.
Wellington modern. Clifton Towers, 1963. Designed by AA graduate Lew Martin.
Palm columns at Athfield Architects' Public Library, Wellington.
Bit of Brutalism, Wellington Police HQ.
NZ mod at the Maranui S.L.S.C.
Christchurch Transitional Cathedral by Shigeru Ban
Looking the other way / shooting above the other tourists.
I do like the chairs.
Christchurch Cathedral, also in transition. No one seems sure to what yet.
Andrew Patterson, Visitor Centre
Andrew Patterson, Visitor Centre
Lyttleton Studio, Bull O'Sullivan Architects.
Lyttleton Studio, Bull O'Sullivan Architects.
Christchurch brutalism, Sir Miles Warren. Had the pleasure of meeting him today.
Sir Miles Warren's library frieze runs from Borromini to Hollein.
Most popular place in central Christchurch, designed by Opus and Boffa Miskell, named for a beloved children's book author.
Margaret Mahy Family Playground
Cathedral Grammar Junior School, Tezuka Architecture and Andrew Barrie.