Pip Barr

Victoria University of Wellington

Back at it after the mid-year break hiatus, Victoria University of Wellington student Pip Barr fills us in on her thesis based in the small coastal town of Paekakariki. An outdoors enthusiast, Pip’s pretty lucky that the site of her thesis means she can be out in nature… and call it work! Pip is one of the hardest workers out and when she’s not on site, or in studio you can find her on the courts, or helping someone build. Read on to find out more about how she’s making the most of the skills she’s learning at architecture school…

Student Architecture Network New Zealand: Can you succinctly describe what is your thesis about?
Pip Barr: My thesis is based in the small coastal town of Paekakariki, a 40 minute drive north of Wellington. The site I have chosen is contested by a number of communities — the Paekakariki Surf Club, Queen Elizabeth Park, the Paekakariki Holiday Park (Ngati Toa), and the local residents. Each community currently holds a value and use of the site and are therefore the stakeholders within my project. The aim of my thesis is to design a public building which suits the diversities of each community without giving favour to one over the other.

SANNZ: Who is your supervisor and why did you choose to work with them?
Pip: Penny Allan / Martin Bryant / Sam Kebbell — I choose PMS to be my supervisors as the collaboration between all three really appealed to me. I also liked the close connection between architecture and landscape architecture that they provide.

SANNZ: All of the students in that stream are currently working on projects on the Kapiti Coast, right?
Pip: Yes, there is 12 of us working in Kapiti, both architecture and landscape architecture students. The beauty of this is that we can share information and maps of the Kapiti Coast.

SANNZ: How often do you travel out to your site and take part in, or interact with what that area has to offer?
Pip: I am really lucky to have a car so I have been out there a bunch of times. I have only ever sat on my site twice though; I prefer to explore the area through doing different activities including biking and walking through Queen Elizabeth Park, swimming at the beach, exploring Whareroa Farm (nearby DOC site), having coffee or lunch in the village, visiting the local gallery, and walking the new Te Araroa walkway along Paekakariki’s escarpment. The one thing that I would still like to do is camp at the Paekakariki Holiday Park.

SANNZ: What tools/methods have you used to start to understand the community, your place there as a young designer, and the broader ideas you’ve discussed?
Pip: Seeing as the situation is already so complex with the different communities, I have purposely tried to avoid focusing on each of them specifically. In doing so I will hopefully create a building which is equally inclusive to them all.

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?
Pip: Not at all. Even at the beginning of this year, I did not think I would be doing what I am doing now. I guess that is the beauty of design-led research.

SANNZ: What are your plans for next year?
Pip: I am really looking forward to getting into practice. The construction industry in New Zealand is bustling at the moment, and I would really like to make the most of this before heading overseas.

In all honesty, I am also really looking forward to doing all the activities I have wanted to do during the last 5 years of study: read a book (non-architecture related), attend a pottery class, knit a scarf, walk the Heaphy track, replant and water my veggie garden, learn Te Reo Maori, design and build something… the list is endless.

SANNZ: Sounds like it’s no rest for the wicked! Do you plan to get registered?
Pip: I would definitely say that getting registered in on my list, I am just unsure on its priority at the moment. I am just looking forward to finishing my thesis and getting into the workforce. It has been a long time coming…

SANNZ: And do you think you’ll stay in Wellington to do this?
Pip: I love Wellington as a city, so I am definitely not in any rush to leave. I guess it just depends on where I get a job.

SANNZ: Do you feel that architecture school has prepared you for the realities of working in the industry?
Pip: During my second year of study, I was lucky enough to work for a construction company. This made me realise the extent of things that they don’t teach us in architecture school. Since then I have found tremendous value in this experience and have been eager to learn more, whether it be from working in a practice, volunteering on construction sites (the photo below is my studio buddy Georgia who joined me in helping out at Guy Marriage’s latest project), or even attending the NZIA events. However, architecture school does teach you all the things that you don’t learn from working in the industry. University changes the way that you think and approach a problem — they teach you to be coherent in your design decisions and provide you with the skills required to represent those decisions.

SANNZ: What do you enjoy most about architecture school? Or, what will you miss the most about architecture school when you leave?
Pip: Definitely my year group. I love the diversity. Everyone is so unique. Being able to get to know everyone over the last five years has been an absolute pleasure.

SANNZ: Do you work while studying and if so, how many hours? How do you find the balance?
Pip: Last semester I tutored two second year papers and this semester I am tutoring two third year papers. It is roughly 15 hours per week. I find that working makes me more productive, it makes me value the time I put into my thesis. I also really enjoy tutoring as I am constantly learning from my students as much as they learn from me.

SANNZ: Sounds like you’re busy! How do you manage your time?
Pip: I am definitely a morning person so I try and get to university by 8am each day. At the moment I work 40+ hours a week, including tutoring. In the push to finish my thesis, I might have to start coming into uni one night a week and one day in the weekend.

SANNZ: What music or artist has helped you get through architecture school?
Pip: When I am writing I will listen to ‘Oceans’ by John Butler Trio, on repeat — it helps me concentrate.

I will also listen to everyone else’s Spotify playlists or the Spotify Discover Weekly playlist, rather than making my own.

SANNZ: What keeps you occupied outside of study?
Pip: I play in a social volleyball and netball team, this is great for breaking up the week. During the weekends I try and get out of the city as much as possible. Often I will travel up the coast, sometimes going as far as a Taranaki.

SANNZ: How do you ‘switch’ your brain off after a long day at uni?
Pip: I find the 10 minute walk home will often switch my brain off. If it is a nice day I will often extend this and go for a walk/run around the waterfront or up Mt Vic. I also really like cooking, so preparing dinner is an added bonus.

SANNZ: Who is your biggest support person at the moment?
Pip: Sarah Wild — Sarah and I sit opposite each other at Uni and I am lucky to have her. Although we probably drive each other insane sometimes, it is really helpful being able to discuss our projects with one another.