Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture Archive

Welcome to the A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive, sponsored by Metalcraft. This is an online archive, established on 26 August 2017, and is a digital storehouse for architectural drawings.
The intention is to add one selected drawing per year so that the archive becomes a slow-building record of selected trends and approaches to drawing and architecture, particular to their time.
Proudly Supported By

Welcome to the A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive, sponsored by Metalcraft. In early 2017, Dr Sarah Treadwell retired from academic life at The University of Auckland, School of Architecture and Planning, New Zealand. Her legacy is so broad and her influence on several generations of architects, artists and thinkers so deep, Architecture+Women•NZ wished to make a special acknowledgement of her career in architecture, and established an archive in her name. As well as recognising Sarah’s extraordinary work and critical thinking, we also celebrate her grace, wisdom and patience.

Sarah Treadwell 3
Image by David Veart

As Sarah moved into her life in art (gaining a Masters degree in Art & Design from Unitec and an established practice), it seems appropriate to acknowledge her major contribution to the ‘drawing culture’ which exists at Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning, and its international reputation as a 'drawing school'. The level of sophistication with the use of drawing in the design process and design thinking - as well as output - is a direct result of Sarah’s critical approach to the use of media in architecture.

In recognition of this legacy, A+W•NZ have established this online archive, in her name.

The first drawing submitted to this archive is, of course, one of her own.

Thank you, Sarah. For everything.

In recognition of this legacy, A+W•NZ have established this online archive, in her name.

THE FINEPRINT

The selection of each annual drawing will be made by Sarah Treadwell, and/or her team of nominated selectors. Each year the selection team may vary, and selectors to date have included Dr Sarah Treadwell, Dr Marian Macken, Ashleigh Smith, Dr Karamia Muller, Dr Simon Twose, Sharon Jansen and Lynda Simmons.

One drawing will be selected each year. Sarah Treadwell and her nominated team may elect to add more than one drawing to the archive in any year. Interpretation of 'drawing' will be left to Sarah and her nominated team that year, though generally the emphasis is on 'drawing thinking': drawing used as part of design process, rather than representation of outcome. The drawing stands alone from its architectural project.

The annual drawing will be selected from the end of year architecture and Spatial Design graduation shows by The University of Auckland, Victoria University, Unitec and AUT, as well as competitions such as the AAA Visionary Awards and NZIA Student Award.

The selction process occurs in November of each year, and the selected annual drawing will be uploaded in January of the following year. The archive is inclusive of all genders.

The author of the selected drawing will be asked to provide permission for the (digital) use of the drawing on the A+W NZ website and other digital platforms, in perpetuity. A+W NZ also ask for the right to borrow the original work for scheduled exhibitions (at approx every five years). Copyright remains with the author of the work, as does the original work. The author's name and date will be watermarked on the drawing.

For this permission and in acknowledgement of the work, the author will receive $500 as koha from A+W NZ.

Her legacy is so broad and her influence on several generations of architects, artists and thinkers so deep, Architecture+Women•NZ wished to make a special acknowledgement of her career in architecture... As well as recognising Sarah’s extraordinary work and critical thinking, we also celebrate her grace, wisdom and patience.

Each Year, the A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection is announced in the A+W NZ January Newsletter, as well as on Architecture Now and/or published in the Architecture NZ magazine.
An Article page is also established for each selection, and you can find more information about the selections from the links below;

- 2023 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Lise Jansen-Luke, Sea Wall Erosion


- 2022 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Mikaela King, Residue of Light No.3

- 2021 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Jonathan Morrish, Turangawaewae - A place to stand

- 2020 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Devyani Sethi, Bhāvanā

- 2019 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Matthew Cuo, Upon Constitution Hill

- 2018 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Lusitania Vete, Feitu'u Faiva Long Section

- 2017 A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive selection: Sarah Treadwell, Oceanic Study

A+W NZ Tātuhi / Drawing Architecture: Sarah Treadwell Archive IP Guardian: Lynda Simmons

words by Lynda Simmons