Lines

Lines in the landscape are wonderful inspriation for architects who, of course, create linear marks on paper in order to form architecture with vertical planes, horizontal floors and angled rooves.

There are those inspirational forms that are purely created by nature, and then there are those that are traces left over from previous inhabitants of the land, a sudden discovery of strict regularity in the landscape.

Once such discovery is on the Ohakune Old Coach Road. After walking along the road, that fell into disuse in 1909, you emerge into a valley that is spanned by dramatic remanent of an older age.

The  Hapuawhenua Viaduct was built between 1907 and 1908 and it was closed in 1987 when the route was realigned. The traces of the railway tracks remain and its curved structure still responds strongly to the difficult terrain. 

We have been very busy with our own lines in the landscape this month, creating and extending homes for some wonderful families. Certainly not quite so large as the viaduct, but it's always a good reminder of how buildings can make their mark beyond our own lifetimes.... it's definately worth taking a little time to get it right.

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