Douglas Wright
Victoria University of Wellington
SANNZ is back with more from VUW! This week we talk to Doug about his exploration of the backcountry both through his thesis and in his free time. Using a narrative process he’s creating a series of design interventions along a tramping route in the Tararuas.
SANNZ: Hey Doug! What is your thesis all about?
Doug: I’m looking in to how architecture can curate our experience of a large environment to facilitate placemaking. Basically, exploring the overlapping fields of sense of place, experience and site specific design. Through a narrative methodology, I’m designing a series of interventions along the Southern Crossing tramping route in the Tararuas.
SANNZ: Who is your supervisor and why did you choose to work with him/her?
Doug: Maibritt Pedersen Zari – Can’t say I chose her - that’s just who I was allocated. With that said, it has been a good match and I think we have similar views of the role and importance of architecture.
SANNZ: When you started your Masters just over a year ago at the start of fourth year, did you think your thesis would take this direction?
Doug: To some extent yes. I’ve always loved the backcountry, huts and experiencing architecture beyond the visual façade. It has taken quite a while to figure out how to knit these together and the way it has developed over the year definitely wasn’t foreseen.
SANNZ: What are your plans for next year?
Doug: Cycling! The current plan has me cycling from Copenhagen to the top of Norway stopping and experiencing some buildings along the way as well as appreciating the natural beauty and culture of Scandinavia. I feel like it’s a good time to get a break in and make the most of working holiday visas while I can.
SANNZ: Do you feel that architecture school has prepared you for the realities of working in the industry?
Doug: Not really, but I don’t think that should be the goal of university. How are we going to advance research if we are embedded directly within the profession? I think the critical thinking, development of creativity and knowledge of myself has been invaluable and will be in any profession. It would be nice to be able to get an architecture job and start paying off my rather large loan at some point though…
SANNZ: Do you work while studying/how many hours? How do you find the balance?
Doug: I was in the first semester, but I decided I would rather focus on getting the thesis done and have time to get outside and have some fun. I’ve got a great balance between uni and life at the moment and that means I’m in a good mental space.
SANNZ: What coffee has fuelled your degree and where do you usually buy it from?
Doug: I enjoy my coffee, and especially the faff you can get into brewing a good cup. We are spoiled with good coffee round our campus but Coffee Supreme beans are always a goer to for me. I bring them back to uni and brew through a V60.
SANNZ: What keeps you occupied outside of study?
Doug: It seems filled with biking, rock climbing and tramping for the most part. Anything in the hills away from the city seems to keep me sane. It’s always nice to disconnect, take a pause and appreciate where we live.
SANNZ: What do you enjoy most about architecture school? Or, what will you miss the most about architecture school when you leave?
Doug: The backwards ‘A’ on the outside, the morning sun breaking through the concrete V structure as you enter the building, the sounds that fills the void in the atrium as the day progresses, the crackle of pipes as you ascend up to the first year studio, the changing view of Wellington that appears as you move up the stairs in relationship to the static window on 5th floor.
Oh and the people in studio of course - we have been through a fair bit together and they’re always up to have a chat.
SANNZ: What inspires you?
Doug: Mainly the people in my daily life. My flatmates and their work ethic, my friends and their positivity for life, my family and their unfailing support. If you surround yourself with inspiring people, life is pretty exciting.
In terms of architecture though I recently discovered Rick Joy – his designs keep blowing me away. Then there’s always Peter Zumthor, Steven Holl and Ian Athfield who never fail to not impress. I think the artists, Richard Serra and James Turrell are also pretty inspiring to me. All those listed seem amazing at creating experiences within space which is what interests me most about architecture.
