Architect Rewi Thompson Photo: Jane Ussher
In 2016 Aotearoa lost architect and teacher Rewi Thompson too young. But as an innovative new book reveals - Rewi: Āta haere, kia tere - Thompson’s legacy lives on not only in buildings and public projects but also his imaginative drawings and teaching.
Of Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Raukawa descent, Rewi Thompson’s works are often more complex than they initially appear. He was noted for his careful consideration of cultural concepts, people and place, and a collaborative approach across civic, social and private projects. His work shows the strong influence of Te Ao Māori but often refused to be bound by notions of Māori architecture.
Thompson’s celebrated public projects include Pōneke’s City to Sea Bridge with John Gray, bold Pacific-influenced canopies in the Ōtara Town Centre, the Pūkenga School of Māori Studies at Unitec and the ‘marae style’ concept of the Mason Clinic.
The book features many commissions, realised and unrealised, including his own bold home in Kohimarama and a submission to design the Te Papa building with Ian Athfield and Frank Gehry.
Poneke Wellington's City to Sea bridge designed by Rewi Thompson and John Gray with sculptor Para Matchitt. Photo: Paul McCredie
Thompson was also notable for his emphatic revisioning of public housing, prisons and health centres.
Rewi Thompson's Kohimaramara house Photo: David Straight
Published by Massey University Press, Rewi has been a major undertaking for editors Jade Kake and Jeremy Hansen, who worked closely with the architect's daughter Lucy Thompson.
Northland Regions Correction Authority Photo: Ross Brown
Jade, Jeremy and Lucy join Mark Amery on Culture 101.
Accompanying the book is exhibition Koha: The speculative worlds of Rewi Thompson at Objectspace, Tāmaki Makaurau until 19 November.
Puukenga's central gathering space with a pouihi carved by Blaine Te Rito Photo: Samuel Hartnett
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to indicate that the City to Sea Bridge was principally designed by Rewi Thompson and John Gray, with contributions by Para Matchitt.
