Harry Turbott

Download or read book Harry Turbott written by Garth Falconer and published by . This book was released on 2020 with total page 223 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Environmental design and landscape architecture are growing fields in New Zealand as people become more aware of the possibilities and benefits of sustainable development. From the early 1960s Dr Harry Turbott played a key role in introducing these concepts to New Zealand. Now his enormous work and rich legacy can be truly celebrated for the first time. Landscape architect, teacher and environmentalist Harry Turbott (1930- 2016) was at the forefront of the first wave of environmental design. This book showcases his life and prolific works, and is beautifully illustrated. The estranged son of well-known radio broadcaster Dr Turbott, Harry had a very interesting and colourful career. Upon graduating from the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture, he won a scholarship to study at Harvard University, where he completed a Master’s in Landscape Architecture in 1958. He then spent 18 months working closely with Dan Kiley, America’s foremost landscape architect, before touring Europe and India with his wife Nan. They returned to New Zealand in 1961 and settled in Karekare, a remote West Auckland beach. From here Harry embarked on a ground-breaking design career, working on motorways, beachfront farms, suburban shopping centres,national parks, Pacific Island resorts and ski fields. He also taught at Auckland’s School of Architecture and Town Planning for more than 30 years. All of Harry’s work showed immense respect and care for the environment. He believed the designer’s role was one of service to society to protect, restore and enhance the environment of which people were intimately and irrevocably part of. Harry recognised the importance of indigenous architecture. He embraced Māori and Pasifika cultures during many collaborative projects, including the restoration of Rarotonga’s Para O Tane Palace in Rarotonga and the Arataki Visitors Centre in the Waitākere Ranges. The biography offers an intimate portrait of Harry’s life, his global influences and outlines several of his legacy projects. The final section is a short chapter written by Sir Bob Harvey on the life of Harry’s wife and her work. Harry and Sir Bob were close friends due to their years spent as neighbours.