Alistair Munro
University of Auckland
Avid furniture and model maker and a long time member of AAA, Alistair shares with us his thesis year so far! Read on to learn more…
Student Architecture Network New Zealand: In 20 words or less what is your thesis about?
Alistair Munro: I’m looking at the role that creative practices play in generating and communicating an idea of New Zealand identity.
SANNZ: By creative practices you mean beyond architectural practice?
AM: Yes, looking at architecture’s relationship with other practices like fine arts and furniture design, practices that are working with different limitations. Architecture is notable for being a pragmatic creative practice which is a limitation — it’s good in a number of ways but it forces you to look at everything with a particular mindset. If you look at abstract concepts by jumping between different modes of practice, you view a problem in different ways. Each medium offers a different output.
SANNZ: So you’re investigating issues by switching between these different creative perspectives?
AM: It gives a wider variety to views that have been talked about before. For example, there is a huge precedent for a New Zealand national identity being discussed within fine arts. There are different recurring thoughts that are present within fine arts to those in architecture, thoughts that I think can be related to architecture.
SANNZ: Who is your supervisor and why did you choose to work with him/her?
AM: I have Bill McKay. I chose him partly because I had worked with him quite a bit through the AAA (Auckland Architecture Association), I get along well with him and we share a lot of interests. He also has a huge wealth of knowledge for anything about New Zealand architecture.
SANNZ: Your process involves a lot of model making, how has your supervisor helped support your process?
AM: One of Bill’s comments when we first started discussing thesis was that a significant part of thesis is understanding your own process. You should always have a few things on the go so you can switch between them depending on how productive you’re feeling, and what mood you’re in. It means you’re always creating something, whether that be a site model, a drawing, or some writing… it prevents your work from becoming stagnant.
SANNZ: Now that you’re past half way, do you feel like you have followed the direction you anticipated when you began?
AM: I feel like I have followed my initial plan, but I was aware that the idea was really open to start with. I knew it was going to narrow itself to something more specific, but I was unsure where that focus would be, so I’ve managed to define the scope of my project and particularly my output.
SANNZ: What is your scope and intended output?
AM: I’m looking at making a series of small structures and working across scales to include the selected creative practices. I am making objects like sculptures, and furniture pieces at 1:1 — it helps satisfy that urge to produce. I think it is important to have an engagement with making a design, you learn a lot in the process of developing a design into a final product. Even the best plan doesn’t survive, there will always be changes. It’s learning to adapt those changes, without compromising the design or the idea. The small works that I can produce, are acting as a learning tool and driver for the architecture that won’t be built.
SANNZ: Do you work alongside your study?
AM: At the moment I am not working as I decided to give my full attention to working on my thesis. I might take on part time work at a later stage, but otherwise any spare time is easily taken up helping out around the school or with the AAA.
SANNZ: You went on an exchange last year, what’s one thing you took away from that experience that has come through in your thesis?
AM: I travelled a lot last year, with a Spain/Iberia trip hosted by the University and an exchange to Canada. The biggest thing I took away from that was the topic of my thesis. While I was travelling I found I approached things in a very different manner to those around me, so on returning I wanted to get a grasp on what made me a New Zealander, and understand what was unique and advantageous about the way we think.
SANNZ: What’s your favourite time of day to work?
AM: I find I’m most productive at night, for any sort of digital or written work. I do spend a lot of time in the workshop during the day to make a lot of my models and I enjoy dropping into studio during the day — having conversations with other students about your work can really help spark up ideas. When I really need to focus though, I find myself up late listening to music to get stuff done.
SANNZ: What sort of music do you listen to?
AM: Today down in the workshop it was Chet Faker, and Glass Animals. If I’m trying to write my go to would be Nathan Haines’ instrumental stuff.
SANNZ: Does listening to New Zealand music help you with finding a New Zealand identity?
AM: Yea, I think it does in a way. You can find that you recognise New Zealand music without knowing the artist’s background… there’s something distinctive about New Zealand music, as with everything else.
SANNZ: What’s your go to meal or beverage in studio?
AM: In the morning it’s a double espresso, nothing else will keep me awake. If I’m working late though coffee’s out, or else I’ll be left lying awake when I do finally make it to bed. For food, anything Italian inspired. I enjoy cooking my own meals when I have the time to, it feels more satisfying to have made something.
