Christchurch Earthquake

The whole of New Zealand are in dismay and in shock by the tragic earthquake that has happened in Christchurch this afternoon. The city and its buildings have been severely damaged by a 6.3 magnitude earthquake that struck before 1pm close to the city centre. This means that many people were out and about in the city and we have many fatalities. The city is a disaster zone.

We wish for quick rescue to those trapped and recovery to all those hurt and lost. Christchurch - the rest of country is in shock with you.
If you wish to be updated about the disaster, check out the latest news here.
Photograph via Stuff.

In Sympathy.

New Zealand War Memorial, Hyde Park, London.

'Southern Strand' at night.

A fantail on the cross.

A client of mine has lost her young soldier son in Afghanistan this week.
In sympathy and remembrance for him and to those before us, I thought about the New Zealand War Memorial located at Hyde Park Corner, London. Designed by NZ sculptor, Paul Dibble and Wellington architect, John Hardwick-Smith from Athfield Architects, the memorial is called 'The Southern Strand'. It consists of 16 bronze cross-shaped vertical elements which stand like soldiers. These have patterns, texts and other details which reflect on all things New Zealand. Read the interviews of Dibble (here) and Hardwick-Smith (here) to learn more about the memorial.
This memorial was recognised by the NZIA Architecture Awards in 2009.
Photographs via Aesthetics Lighting.