Andrew Patterson (architect)

Andrew Patterson (born 1 January 1960) is a New Zealand Architect and director of Patterson Associates, based in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2011 Patterson Associates, was one of the first five international firms to be named by World Architecture News in their 21 for 21 program recognising firms which are ‘’shaping the future of architecture in the 21 century’’. His work is known for its use of patterns from both the natural environment and indigenous culture in order to create buildings with a sense of belonging.
This philosophy is illustrated in his work in sustainable architecture. The Geyser building, in Auckland is the recipient of New Zealand’s only 6 Green Star (rating). Other notable building projects include the Michael Hill Golf Clubhouse in Queenstown. and the Mai Mai House
Patterson won the supreme award at NZ’s 2013 Interior Awards for the New Zealand pavilion at the Frankfurt Book Fair. The Len Lye centre in New Plymouthwas opened in 2015. This building was a finalist in the culture category of the World Architecture Awards 2016.

Born in the Waikato region, Andrew completed his Bachelor of Architecture degree at The University of Auckland in 1984 and started his own practice at age 26. In 1988 Andrew represented New Zealand at the New Breed Architectural Exhibition in Sydney. He received his first National Award for Architecture in the same year. Since then he has been awarded New Zealand’s highest award in architecture on five separate occasions. He is Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (FNZIA).

Patterson’s architectural philosophy is one that is bound by the environment in which he works. For him, architecture is an extension of the surrounding physical ecology, this is underpinned by the Māori belief the people are a natural off spring of the land and sky.

This philosophy rejects traditional western distinctions between natural and man made environments. Architecture is simply a physical extension of human kind and must, according to Patterson, create or extend the sense of belonging people feel towards what they inhabit, this could be explained as form following whanau. Patterson has been vocal in pushing for greater use of indigenous New Zealand stories and symbols in the design of public buildings. An emphasis on belonging logically creates a sense of identity to a place and, correspondingly, a sense of identity in the users or inhabitants of a place. The Geyser building is an example.

Patterson’s uses a pattern derived from the tassles of the korowai or traditional Māori cloak on the façade of the Geyser building. His interest in Māori culture is also evident in the Anvil building which used "cloud forms as conceptual drivers" relating to the Māori creation myth of Ranginui and Papatuanuku.

The Len Lye Centre, an extension of the Govett Brewster Art Gallery in New Plymouth, New Zealand was opened on 25 July 2015. Len Lye (5 July 1901 – 15 May 1980), was a Christchurch born, New Zealand artist known primarily for his experimental films and kinetic sculpture. The finished building introduces new gallery spaces, education studios, a cinema, the Len Lye Archive and a dedicated motor room for his kinetic works. It is sited on the highest point in New Plymouth’s town center. This is the first gallery in New Zealand to be dedicated to a single artist. Patterson Associates developed the design in a holistic or adaptive way, using what Patterson calls a ‘systems methodology’. Rather than following classical proportion and aesthetics, they used patterns in the ecology of the project’s environments to drive design elements.The building is clad with locally sourced stainless steel. The folded surface reflects and refracts its surroundings, changing its appearance throughout the day and the seasons. This effect draws parallels with the work of the late artist. He is also well known for his kinetic sculptures, many of which move or bend with tiny variations in air flow. Stainless steel was Len Lye’s preferred sculptural material.The buildings most obvious ‘feature’ its reflective stainless steel colonnade which has been generated as an extruded Polynesia koru pattern (linked to Māori design) that encircles the whole centre. Gaps between the folds in the facade allow a controlled amount of light through.

The building’s facade has become the backdrop for many of the regions selfie photographs. The glossiness of the material noted to confuse modern cameras auto focusing mechanisms.

• Len Lye Centre, New Plymouth (2015)
• Christchurch Botanic Garden Centre, Christchurch (2014)
• Scrubby Bay House, Banks Peninsula (2014)
• Geyser, Auckland (2012)
• Frankfurt Book Fair Pavilion, Frankfurt (2012)
• Seascape Retreat, Banks Peninsula (2011)
• Anvil Building, Auckland (2011)
• Local Rock House, Waiheke Island, Auckland (2011)
• Parihoa House, Auckland (2009)
• The Michael Hill Clubhouse, Arrowtown (2008)
• Mai Mai House, Auckland (2008)
• Cumulus, Auckland (2003)
• D72, Auckland (1996)
• Knight-Klisser House, Auckland (1992)
• Axis Building, Auckland (1991)

• Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Auckland 2013;
• 21 for 21 Award, World Architecture News, 2011;
• NZIA Architecture Award (Local Rock House), 2011;
• World Architecture Festival Shortlist (Sports & Leisure) 2008 and World Architecture Festival Shortlist (Houses) 2008;
• NZIA National and Supreme award for architecture (Hills Golf Clubhouse), 2008;
• NZIA National Award for architecture (Mai Mai House), 2008;
• NZIA National Award for architecture (AJ Hackett Bungy Visitor Centre), 2008;
• NZIA Award for architecture (Stratus), 2005;
• NZIA Supreme Award for architecture (Cumulus), 2003;
• NZIA Award for architecture (Site 3), 2002