Alumni and friends

At the School of Architecture and Planning we aim to prepare New Zealand’s future architects and urban planners to make a significant contribution to the country’s development. Located in the heart of a cosmopolitan, multicultural city, and with almost a century of education provision behind it, the School is ideally positioned for innovative research and study.

Auckland, along with all the other major urban centres on the Pacific Rim, has multiple social, economic and environmental issues facing its communities. Within the School we have the capacity and expertise to tackle these issues, and engage our postgraduate students in first-rate academic scholarship and research.

However, all of the events, research projects and scholarship proposals outlined below require substantial additional funding to bring them to fruition, and we cannot hope to achieve our objectives without your support. We are currently inviting expressions of interest from potential sponsors.

In 2017, the School of Architecture and Planning celebrated its centenary. We marked this important occasion with a weekend of activities and social events.

To find out more about the celebrations, visit 2017 School of Architecture and Planning Centenary.

The History of Urban Design in New Zealand

Two staff members in the School of Architecture and Planning are currently collaborating on a research project investigating and documenting the history of urban design practice in New Zealand. Their research begins in the 1950s, following initiatives such as the Auckland Regional Planning Authority’s regional land use, and transportation plans for the future of Auckland.

Studio Christchurch

Studio Christchurch is a collaborative Christchurch-based research and design studio, which envisions the rebuilding of Christchurch as an exemplary 21st century city. The studio brings together tertiary institutions, industry, the architectural profession and government bodies to stimulate and participate in the discussions shaping the future of the city, and to foster the global impact of New Zealand architecture and architectural education.

ed_Fab: Digital fabrication and construction methods for passive, sustainable and affordable housing

The goal of this research is to use new manufacturing technology (CNC routers, 3D printers etc.) to design and build high quality but affordable housing. Extending our current research, we aim to construct a prototype that meets three specific objectives related to future construction methods – improved liveability, improved sustainability and improved productivity.

These objectives will be achieved by establishing a local multidisciplinary research team, based at the University of Auckland, composed of architects, urbanists, civil engineers and computing specialists and supported by digital fabrication workshops, materials laboratories, and test halls.

Low Carbon Cities

In 2013, Generation Zero travelled the country asking “What’s the Holdup?” The lobby wanted to know why more wasn’t being done to address climate change. A research group based in the School of Architecture and Planning is asking the same question, but from an academic perspective: Do our legal, regulatory and decision-making systems facilitate or frustrate atmospheric carbon emission mitigation? And why? The research focuses on where the opportunities and hold-ups are, how they might be promoted or addressed, and where this might lead in terms of practical outcomes.

Whether you are an alumnus of the School wanting to give something back, a business looking to develop your philanthropic portfolio or someone with a strong interest in advancing knowledge in architectural and planning practice, providing funds for scholarships offers an ideal opportunity to support students who will become innovators for the future of architecture and urban planning, in New Zealand and around the world.

PhD Scholarship in Planning

This scholarship, the first of its kind in New Zealand, recognises the need to shape future leaders of the profession and to invest in research that will both challenge and inform the quality of practice. It will be open to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents seeking an opportunity to undertake world-class research at a world-class university.

PhD by Creative Practice Scholarship

This scholarship recognises the need to shape future leaders of the profession and to invest in research that will both challenge and inform the quality of practice. It will be open to New Zealand citizens and permanent residents seeking an opportunity to undertake world-class research at a world-class university.

Proposed Masters scholarship – MArch(Prof)

The two-year Master of Architecture (Professional) MArch(Prof) programme is a professionally accredited programme that is now the prerequisite degree for registration as a professional architect. Provision of a scholarship will greatly enhance our ability to attract high calibre students.

Proposed Masters scholarship - MUrbDes

The Master of Urban Design (MUrbDes) is in great demand for professional practitioners of architecture and planning. Provision of a scholarship will greatly enhance our ability to attract high calibre students.

If you would like to know more about contributing to any of the projects or scholarships outlined above, please contact:

Niamh McCourt
Development Manager
Alumni Relations and Development
Creative Arts and Industries
Email: n.mccourt@auckland.ac.nz