web changes |
This website is, just like a good conversation,
alive. We will add and change items over time. We endeavour
to update you with new projects Archifact is working on,
information on building conservation, architecture, interior
design and other interesting news.
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courthouse samoa |
Court House Samoa
The weather in New Zealand was not at its best lately. A very good excuse for Adam to travel to Samoa just before Christmas to record the historic Court House in Apia. With our laser scanning specialists in tow he spent four long days in the heat to undertake this task. The output, a conservation plan including a 3D laser scan model, will help to determine the future of this German colonial historic place.
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olive davis house
reopens |
The planting of a pururi by Mayor Len Brown and friends marked the successful relaunch of the historic Olive Davis House designed by JW Chapman-Taylor for Mr and Mrs GB Davis. Built between 1928 and 1930 the house and land was bequeathed to the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand after the death of Mrs Olive Davis in 1979. This is a special place whose values are expressed in part by the intimate relationship between a fine piece of bespoke arts and crafts architecture and the regenerating native bush which surrounds it. The commission of Archifact Limited to lead the conservation of this special place by the Society has responded to this relationship, the objectives of the Society, and the legacy of Olive Davis.
In recognising the importance of special places like this as markers of Auckland’s distinctive heritage, Mr Brown recognised the value of conserving these places for our future. In doing so he invited the two youngest members of the gathered crowd (William and Felix Wild) to help him plant the tree sourced from the site to mark and celebrate the moment.
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project k021 |
Project K021
K021 is a scientific collaboration among the University of Waikato (New Zealand), Universities of Minnesota (USA), Bath (UK), Hong Kong (SAR PRC) and Western Cape (South Africa) and the private companies Archifact and Geometria, headquartered in Auckland, New Zealand.
K021 which initiated research in 1997, has evaluated the deterioration of the Ross Island Historic Huts, artefacts, and their environs as well as having fundamental research aims of understanding bio-diversity and mechanisms of cold adaptation, proliferation and impact of Antarctic fungi and other microbes in pristine terrestrial locations and at the historic and human impacted sites.
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on the move |
Archifact is On The Move!
from 28th february 2011 our new details are as follows:
- new location: level 4, 64 khyber pass road grafton auckland 1023
- phone (09) 966 6940
- new postal address: po box 8334 symonds street auckland 1150
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the oldest home in auckland |
Hulme Court
Hulme Court, the gracious grande dame of Parnell, provided shelter and sanctuary for some of the country’s most significant early settlers.
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olive davis house |
Forest and Bird’s Hansel and Gretel House
Olive Davis House was designed and constructed by James Walter Chapman-Taylor in 1928. It is a residential building of Arts and Crafts style located on a remote private reserve owned and managed by the Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand. Archifact prepared detailed measured drawings and a comprehensive Conservation Plan as the basis for the conservation work undertaken. Currently conservation work is undertaken to ensure a useful life for the future of the building.
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congratulations adam |
Congratulations Adam!
Adam Wild has been awarded a Fellowship by the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA). The ceremony was held during the NZIA awards celebrations on 14 October 2010 at St Matthews in the City.
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chapel of faith
in the oaks |
Chapel of Faith in the Oaks
The Chapel of Faith was built in 1886 as the first mortuary in the Waikumete cemetery. In early October major conservation works have been finalised, using the most modern technologies to stabilise the historic brick building.
The Chapel of Faith in the Oaks is a small but very significant building dating back to 1886. It sits nestled amongst mature oak trees at the top of the Waikumete cemetery. The history of the Chapel is rich. Built originally as the first mortuary chapel, it has served as such until the late 1950 when a new chapel was built. The Chapel of Faith was consequently used to store urns. In the 19880 several repair works were undertaken and the urns were buried in the grounds just outside the Chapel.
Without a specific use for many years the Chapel had a number of issues that required attention. Structural stability of the brick building was a matter to be addressed, as well as an ongoing moisture problem that had affected the building for many years. Archifact has undertaken a thorough condition assessment that pointed out areas of attention required and also proposed recommendations to rectify the issues. Waitakere City Council subsequently engaged Archifact to implement the conservation measures. Through the sensitive use of thin carbon fibre materials the structural integrity of the building has been drastically improved without affecting the heritage values of the building. The installation of the first Hydrodry electro osmosis system in New Zealand, a device that has successfully provided European owners of masonry buildings with permanent protection from rising damp for many decades, ensures moisture control without any damage to existing building fabric.
The Chapel in all its glory has been opened and dedicated in a ceremony held on 5 October 2010 and is available for weddings, funerals and christenings.
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building conservation
seminar 2010 |
Heritage - A Matter of National Importance
Archifact (in collaboration with Heritage Consultancy Services, Geometria, Lane Associates Ltd, Inform Planning Ltd, Marriott and the University of Waikato) is proud to present this Building Conservation Seminar for 2010.
This 3 day course is particularly suitable for professionals including heritage advisors, consenting officers, policy planners, project managers, property managers, engineers, architects, planners who are working with heritage buildings. Members of the public, historic home owners and members of historic societies are also welcome.
Our professional colleagues will be able to accrue CPD points through the New Zealand Planning Institute (NZPI) and the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB).
Registrations closed 31st OCtober 2010. Seminars commence 9th November.
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history of nz lectures |
Unitec:
LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF NZ ARCHITECTURE THE COLONIAL PERIOD
–
10 CPD Points
Adam Wild - Professional practitioner with specialized knowledge in the field of heritage/conservation, will present a talk title ‘Towards a local distinctiveness’.
- Date: Monday 26 July 2010
- Time: 5.00 – 6.00 pm
- Venue: Unitec, Building 1, Lecture Theatre 2 on the first floor
- Entry 1, Carrington Road, Mt Albert
- Free Admission – no bookings required
Unitec: LECTURES ON THE HISTORY OF NZ ARCHITECTURE PEOPLE, PERIODS AND POLITICS – 10 CPD Points
Adam Wild - Professional practitioner with specialized knowledge in the field of heritage/conservation, will present a talk title ‘An Emerging National Accent’.
- Date: Monday 2 August 2010
- Time: 5.00 – 6.00 pm
- Venue: Unitec, Building 1, Lecture Theatre 2 on the first floor
- Entry 1, Carrington Road, Mt Albert
- Free Admission – no bookings required
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a trip to chile |
Adam attended the ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee Conference in April 2010 in Patagonian Chile. On his trip to see heritage he came across some interesting places.
What is it?
Answer: to read, drag your cursor from here > [ Its a water treatment plant on the shores of the Straits of Magellan near Punta Arenas, Chile. ] < to here.
Where is it?
Answer: to read, drag your cursor from here > [ The Geike Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park, Chile. ] < to here.
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old government house
toilets |
Upgrade of Toilet Facilities
Over the 2009-2010 academic summer break the ground floor toilet facilities at the Old Government House received an upgrade including reconfiguration and refurbishment to better meet the requirements of its respective users.
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gus fisher lamps |
Reconstruction of a Pair of 1930’s Lamps
 In October 2009, a pair of beautifully crafted bronze lamp pylons with originally opal triplex glass tops missing for about a decade reappeared at the main entrance to the Gus Fisher Gallery at the Kenneth Myers Centre on Shortland Street, Auckland. Archifact had been commissioned by the University of Auckland to accurately reconstruct the pair of lamps that originally graced the entrance to the former 1YA Radio Station Building and which are now in private ownership, with the constraint that the original artefacts were not to be touched.
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polar heritage
committee |
Expert Member of the ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee (IPHC)
Adam Wild has been recommended in October 2008 by the Executive of the IPHC as an Expert Member of the ICOMOS International Polar Heritage Committee. His formal appointment was confirmed on 7 May 2009. Congratulations! Expert Members are persons with an active professional involvement and/or relevant practical experience in the protection and conservation of heritage sites in Arctic and/or Antarctic regions, who are interested in the work of the IPHC and are able to assist the IPHC to achieve any of its objectives.
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monkey hill steps |
Monkey Hill Reserve upgrade
Auckland City Council is making improvements to Monkey Hill Reserve. The enhancements include a new artistically designed staircase. Overall, the improvements will significantly enhance Monkey Hill Reserve by providing a safer staircase and an aesthetically improved environment for everyone to enjoy.
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conservation |
Celebrating a couple of old Ladies
On 9 December 2007 the Classic Yacht Charitable Trust celebrated the conservation of Thelma (1898) and Gloriana (1892), two Logan built yachts. Archifact in collaboration with MSPhotography have documented the conservation in detail with over 2,000 photos.
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international polar
week 2007 |
In September 2007 Adam spent some time in Barrow, Alaska at the International Polar Year Conference. He presented a paper to the delegates providing an overview of the Conservation program in the Antarctic.
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architecture week |
Architecture Week Auckland 07: October 14 – October 19
Adam Wild discusses Antarctica, Conservation and Architecture Week Auckland 07 with Maggie Barry on Nine To Noon, National Radio.Details for Architecture Week exhibition, tours and events:
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lost heritage |
Coolangatta Gold
Last December, Coolangatta, a much-admired arts-and-crafts
house in Remuera was demolished, to the chagrin of neighbours
and heritage campaigners.
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office launch |
Thanks for joining us!
Thank you very much to all the clients, consultants, friends
and family who joined us on 18 April 2007 to celebrate the
launch of our new offices and mark International Day of Monuments
and Sites. Thanks again for making this day such a success.
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antarctic heritage |
Architect conserving Antarctic
heritage
"As a very young boy my father
would read to me tales from Winnie
the Pooh..."
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new location |
Archifact are pleased to announce
we have moved to new premises
We will be operating from this new location from February
28, 2007. We look forward to seeing you soon! If you are
visiting us, our new building is above the Apple Mac store
and visitor parking is accessible from Newton Rd.
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