8 October 2010

Dear Lindsay

RE Gina Jones: 1002MC

I am founder and principal of a Wellington practice of 15, Accent Architects

(www.accentarch.co.nz) .

I remember hearing a Radio New Zealand interview with Glenn Murcutt following

his winning of the 2002 Pritzker Architectural Prize. Glenn made a comment that

an Architect wasn’t really producing good work until they were in their 40’s and

had been in practice for 20 years. I was about to turn 40 the following year and

the comment resonated with me.

My career started with great promise, at University (VUW) I had won the

Alexander Crawford Scholarship (1984) for top placement in a science degree

(BBSc) and was later awarded a Senior Scholarship (1986) for top students in a

post-graduate degree (BArch). I then started work with the highly regarded

Wellington practice, Toomath and Wilson, and quickly became an Associate of that

firm, and later a director of one of the two firms that emerged post Derek Wilson’s

retirement in the early 1990’s.

When I heard Glenn’s interview in 2002, I felt that my career had somehow stalled

since my heady start and so I made steps to get back on track. I completed an MFA

at Melbourne’s RMIT in 2005, which has uncovered a new line of enquiry for me

that includes an art career (www.ginajones.co.nz).

Personally I have been the recipient of a number of recent New Zealand

construction industry awards including the 2009 New Zealand Institute of

Building (NZIOB) Gold Medal, and the 2006 National Association of Woman in

Construction (NAWIC) ‘Helen Tippett’ Award for the woman who has made the

greatest contribution to the construction industry for the decade 1996-2006. As a

practice we are starting to produce some work that is receiving attention (this

week we received a Local Branch NZIA Award for a small project).

I am now at a point where my career is getting back on to the trajectory set by the

younger version of myself and I view the Glenn Murcutt Master-class as a catalyst

to make the next push to becoming a great architect.

I have attached some recent practice Newsletters and Project Image Sheets that

will give you a feel for the type of work I do. You could also have a look at the

Accent website (www.accentarch.co.nz ) and my art website (www.ginajones.co.nz

). Also attached is the most recent version of my CV.

Kind regards

Gina

Gina Mary Frances JONES (nee Utting)

Architecture Accent Architects Ltd (1995 - ) www.accentarch.co.nz Gina founded Accent Architects in 1995, and has spent the subsequent period progressively building Accent Architects into one of Wellington’s foremost Architectural brands. High Profile projects undertaken in the past ten years: � 2009: Redevelopment of three former Tobacco warehouses into new commercial spaces in

Napier’s historic Ahuriri district. � 2008: New purpose-built Cityfitness buildings in Kapiti and Nelson � 2007: Redevelopment of 1970’s office building into a Compassion House care centre � 2006: Development of a new school - Masterton Primary School � 2005: Redevelopment of the heritage listed Tower Block, and a new classroom block at Queen

Margaret College � 2005: Redevelopment of the derelict heritage listed Hyams building into the Nomad Capital

Hotel � 2002: Redevelopment of Wairarapa College heritage administration building � 2001: Tararua College Technology � 2000: St. Mark’s Church School - Calder Block Rebuilding, Hall Redevelopment, Coffey/Kirby

Blocks � 1999: Queen Margaret College – Performing Arts Centre � 1999: Comprehensive site redevelopment of heritage listed St. John’s Presbyterian Church,

including undercroft car-parking and two new buildings on the site Ampersand Architects Ltd/Toomath Wilson Irvine Anderson Ltd (1984 - 1994) Gina was approached in 1984, while still a student, to work for Toomath Wilson Irvine Anderson Ltd (Architects and Consulting Engineers). In 1986 Toomath Wilson Irvine Anderson was renamed TWIA Architects on the retirement of Derek Wilson. Gina was invited to become an Associate of TWIA Architects in 1987. In 1988 TWIA Architects spilt into two firms - one was Ampersand Architects Ltd of which Gina was a co-director. Key Projects undertaken at Ampersand Architects Ltd/Toomath Wilson Irvine Anderson Ltd: � St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Willis Street � St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Willis Street � St. Mark’s Church School � Wesley Church Taranaki Street Redevelopment � Queen Margaret College � Hunter Precinct at Victoria University of Wellington � Government House Exterior Refurbishment � New Clubhouse for the Tasman Bay Cruising Club � New Zealand Post, Beaurepaires Building fit-out for New Zealand Post, Palmerston North � Bank of New Zealand Te Aro, Rehabilitation and Refitting � Feasibility Studies and Reports

Gina Jones/Page 2

Academic Master of Fine Arts (2005) Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology University (RMIT) Bachelor of Architecture, First Class Honours (1987) Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Bachelor of Building Science (1984) Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Senior Scholarship (1986) For top students in a post graduate degree VUW Alexander Crawford Scholarship (1984) For top placement in a science degree VUW James Hardie & Coy Pty Ltd (1984) Award for top placement in Construction Technology, Environmental Science and Structures Rotary Youth Leadership Award (1981) Johnsonville Rotary Club

Other Education Entrepreneurs Success Programme (1999-2001)

Teaching

Central Institute of Technology, Heretaunga Lecturer in Business Communication and Management 1991 - 1992 Interior Design Course School of Architecture, Victoria University of Wellington (VUWSoA) Tutor in Professional Practice 1998, 1996, 1990 and 1988 Tutor in Management and Communication 1988 Tutor in Construction Studies 1987 Tutor in Computer Applications 1986 Paper with Grahame Anderson, Design Constraints Particular to Wellington, SAHANZ 1991 Conference

Gina Jones/Page 3

Professional New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) 1984-present � Fellow 1997 � National Investigation Committee, 1997-1998 � National Incorporation Committee, 1996 � Secretary, Wellington Branch 1994-95 � Wellington Branch Committee 1993-1996 � Continuing Professional Development, Branch Representative 1992-1994 � Juror Wellington Branch Awards 1993

New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) 1984-present � NZIOB Medal 2009 � Fellow 2001 � Education Trust Trustee 2005-2009 � Convenor Building Excellence Awards 2002 - 2007 � Central Chapter Honour Award 2000 � Director National Practice Committee 1996-1998 � Immediate Past President 1999 – 2000, 2001-2002 � National President 1998 – 1999, 2000-2001 � National Vice President 1996 - 1998 � President, Central Chapter 1994-1996 � Conference Committee 1993-1995 � Chapter Board Member 1991-2002

National Association of Women in Construction 1996 – present � Co-founder 1996 � Co-winner of the ‘Woman who has made the greatest contribution to the construction industry for

the decade 1996-2006’

New Zealand Registered Architects Board Assessor, NZ Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) (2006-) Examiner, Architects Education and Registration Board (AERB) (1994-2006) Joint Visiting Board (Victoria University) 2001, and NZRAB representative from 2005 – Miscellaneous ICOMOS NZ member 2009- DoCoMoMO member 2009- Zonta Club of Port Nicholson 1992-1998 � Service Committee Convenor 1995–1998 � Super Achiever Award 1997

Wise Women 1994-2000 � Clear Self Employed Woman of the Year – Winner Newly Emerging Business, Porirua and Hutt

Valley 1997 Greytown Community Heritage Trust, Trustee 2007 – present, Architectural Advisor Friends of the New Dowse, Committee Member 2007 – present, Convenor of NZ Student Craft Design Award 2008 – present

Gina Jones/Page 4

Art www.ginajones.co.nz Arts Qualifications 2005 Master of Fine Arts (Painting) (RMIT) Selected Exhibitions Upcoming Sept 2009 Milford Gallery, Dunedin (Group) Oct 2009 Seen this Century, Group Show, Judith Anderson Gallery Dec. 2009 Aratoi, Wairarapa Museum of Art and History, Masterton (Solo) June 2010 Sanderson Contemporary Art Gallery, Auckland (Solo) Oct. 2010 The Cat Street Gallery, Hong Kong (Solo) Solo Exhibitions: 2008 Gina Jones, Page Blackie Gallery 2007 Gina Jones, Tinakori Gallery 2005 Light Perceptions, Wellington Art Centre Gallery, Wellington Selected Group Exhibitions 2009 Auckland Art Fair, Sanderson Gallery, Auckland Scale, Sanderson Gallery (group show), Napier Furniture, Judith Anderson Gallery (group show) 2008 Wallace Award Finalists, Aotea Centre and The New Dowse, Wellington Melbourne Art Fair (group exhibition with Page Blackie Gallery), Melbourne 2007 Clean Machine, Group Exhibition, Gus Fisher Gallery, Auckland Sculpture, Tinakori Gallery, Wellington Auckland Art Fair, Tinakori Gallery, Wellington 2006 Finalist Waikato Contemporary Art Award, Hamilton Finalist Norsewear Art Award, Hastings Tinakori Gallery, opening group exhibition, Wellington Melbourne Art Fair (group exhibition with Tinakori Gallery), Melbourne 2005 Group Exhibition (MFA Candidates), RMIT University, Melbourne Dark Room – Light Travels, Group Exhibition (Vivien Atkinson, Helen Jones, Gina

Jones), Faculty Gallery, RMIT University, Melbourne 2004 Inverlochy 2004 Group End of Year Exhibition, Wellington Accent Architects Artists – World Architecture Day, Wellington 2003 Creative Photography, Inverlochy Art School, Wellington Visions and Views, Inverlochy Art School, Wellington

Gina Jones/Page 5

Selected Bibliography 2009 Seen this Century. Warwick Brown. Random House. The Artists 2009. Sanderson Contemporary Art Gallery. 2008 Two Ziggurats in Wellington, John Daly-Peoples, National Business Review, 7

March 2008 Gina Jones Tinakori Gallery Wellington, NZ Art Monthly, 29 September 2008 Too Clever by Half, Salient, Douglas Crane,14 July, 2008 2007 Gina Jones 2007. James Blackie.

The galleries: Remarkable riches in Auckland shows, T.J. McNamara, NZ Herald, 9 August 2007

Gina is the second woman to win the medal since its inception in 1984. The

first was Professor Helen Tippett, Dean of Architecture at Victoria University

and Gina’s mentor.

Gina joined NZIOB while still a student in the mid-1980’s at the suggestion of

Helen Tippett, and progressively become more involved at branch level, and

subsequently national level. Gina served as NZIOB as National President for

two terms (the only one to have done so) and until very recently had a long asso-

ciation with the NZIOB Awards both as a judge and as the Awards Convener.

When asked why she felt the NZIOB had decided to present her with the

award, Gina commented “I would like to think that I made an impact with the

NZIOB in terms of getting things done and raising the Institutes profile. As a

female in the construction industry I am aware that I am often cited as a role-

model for younger woman in the building sector. That aspect of my contribu-

tion to the industry may have been considered by

those who bestowed the award on me”.

That Gina now joins building industry legend

Helen Tippett as the only two women to win the

award is fitting in that Helen played an influential

role on Gina’s early career. “Helen made an im-

mediate impression on me and encouraged me to

enter architecture school. Helen was an inspiration

to me through my studies and throughout my career

until her death in 2004” says Gina.

The recognition cements Gina’s position as the pre-

eminent woman practitioner in the New Zealand

construction industry.

Accent Architects Principal Wins Prestigious award

accent architects’ newsletter number four

Gina Jones accepting the NZIOB Medal NZIOB President, Martin Fahey presenting Gina Jones with the

NZIOB Medal

Accent Architects principal and founder, Gina Jones has been awarded the

prestigious New Zealand Institute of Building (NZIOB) Medal for her contri-

bution to the building industry since 1986. The medal is awarded bi-annual-

ly to someone who has made an outstanding contribution to the industry.

The new owners have a large young family and do a great deal of en-

tertaining, and so it was important that the house became a home with a

central hub. As Phillipa Paviour-Smith commented “the motivation behind our

purchase of Kourarau Homestead was to have a place for weekends and

holidays but big enough for our growing family and to comfortably host visi-

tors. Kourarau offered all of this with the added feature of it being a grand

historic home”. The feeling of the house as a grand homestead was retained

and emphasised. The new kitchen and pantry have farmhouse character, the

dining room has richness, and the billiard room possesses old world grandeur.

A new main entry provides added drama to the building’s exterior, giving an

obvious and grand entry which the house previously lacked.

The project was all about the detail, and about not compromising. The

matching of existing timberwork, the product selection and the finishing was

meticulous. The house has been transformed from one that is cold, damp and

dark to one that is warm, airy and light filled.

Neil Paviour-Smith commented “we had undertaken a large renovation before

so were prepared for what this project entailed, but you invariably underes-

timate the significance of the job. We were very fortunate to have Accent

engaged, as they shared our vision for the property and were dedicated to

ensuring the finer details were seen to right through the project. Credit too to

D.R. Borman, the builders, who have demonstrated their considerable work-

manship, management and professionalism. With

the house now complete we are delighted with the

outcome and will be for the many years ahead.”

A Perfect Match Transforming an Unused Space into a Property Highlight

A studio space was required for the artist owner,

while a garage also formed part of the brief.

The new building therefore needed to provide a

stimulating creative space on one hand, while ac-

commodating the utilitarian needs of a household

on the other.

There had been an existing dilapidated shed in the

south-east corner of the property and that building

served as a design reference with its simplistic

rectangular form, mono-pitch iron roof, and vertical

timber weatherboards. The original shed was

located off the boundary and the space around

it was overgrown and didn’t make a positive

contribution to the property’s landscaping or usable

outdoor living. A key driver for the design of the

new building was that the floor-plate occupied

‘unused’ land only. In doing so, the new building

had to work around, and engage with the trees in

the area.

The garage is located in the corner of the site and

anchors the overall composition with the studio

appearing to use the garage as a base from which

to launch itself off with a black mono-pitch roof that

soars into the branches of the nearby Walnut tree.

This provides a dramatic aesthetic while more practically, providing much

needed shelter from the harsh Wairarapa summer sun.

The building creates a black shape in the shadows of the trees, which renders

the studio indiscernible to pedestrians looking across the site from the street.

For the property owner, the new buildings have created considerable amenity

value without causing loss of treasured usable outdoor spaces.

At the time of writing the Artists Studio was selected as a finalist in the small

project category of the 2009 NZIA Wellington Local Branch Awards.

Original mono-pitch shed on site The new mono-pitch artists studio on site

The interior of the artists studio

Kourarau Homestead refurbished exterior

Kourarau Homestead Hallway

Kourarau Homestead Dining Room

P E R S P E C T I V E S

The refurbishment of the 600m2 historic Kourarau Homestead is a project that rep-

resents the perfect match of property and owner. Kourarau Homestead had been

held within the same Wairarapa farming family for generations (est 1885), and

had become very tired, with considerable maintenance issues needing attention.

The new Artists Studio is sited at the rear of a half acre Lot on Greytown’s

historic Main Street, and sits behind an original Working Man’s Cottage.

An elegant and simplistic design was sought for a small Artist Studio and

garage.

Stimulating Student learning and Engagement

258 Thorndon Quay, Wellington P O Box 3591, Wellington 6140 tel: (04) 939 8222 fax: (04) 939 8221 30 Main Street, Greytown P O Box 44, Greytown 5742 tel: (06) 304 7006 fax: (06) 304 7008

Students expectations of their school environments has changed enormously

over recent times. Unfortunately, many school built environments haven’t

changed and opportunities to provide students with a contemporary educa-

tion experience are being lost.

The Educational design elements that Accent Architects have incorporated

into the design of Queen Margaret College’s proposed new Gymnasium and

Language Block reflect the practice’s commitment to leadership in the educa-

tion design sector. Accent Architects director, Malcolm Fleming, believes that

“great design is a tool for achieving higher educational outcomes for students,

as a practice we want to provide our clients with buildings and campuses that

enhance the educational experience by engaging students and allowing our

young people to thrive and fulfil their potential”.

As well as incorporating leading edge educa-tional design aspects, the proposed new building needed to fit into its built environment. The Queen Margaret College site is a magnificent inner-city leafy campus with traditional style buildings centred around the heritage listed Tower Block. It was con-sidered important to create a building that facili-tated the leading edge Education and Environmen-tally Sustainable Design (ESD) functions required, while providing a form that sat well aesthetically amongst the existing character building stock on the campus.

Making schools places that kids want to go to rather than a place they have to go to is a key to developing engaged learners. A number of Queen Margaret College’s senior students were in the audience at a presentation of the new build-ing proposal at the College’s recent 90th Jubilee celebrations. The audible excitement from the girls to the prospect of the new building confirmed that great design does indeed provide a stimulus to

student learning and engagement.

P E R S P E C T I V E S

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3

13 12

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9 7

6

10

14

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1 Excavated soil re-used on site where possible or re-use off-site in a meaningful way 2 Solar panels used on various roofs for water heating 3 Natural light from high level windows fills a large area, reducing energy costs 4 Natural light from various levels reduces glare and dark areas 5 Rainwater from roof collected in underground tank for WC flushing 6 Large roof overhangs protect classrooms overheating in summer sun 7 Low level winter sun allowed to enter building, warming concrete floors 8 Cross ventilation allows for natural cooling and fresh air exchange 9 Double glazed windows and doors control heat loss 10 New landscaping to suit area, use of native plants 11 High quality insulation used throughout building 12 Sustainable/ recycled and or recyclable materials used for flooring 13 Bathroom and showers use low flow tap and shower fittings 14 All artificial lighting controlled by sensors to conserve energy

P E R S P E C T I V E S

accent architects’ newsletter number three

Wellington’s Sisters of Compassionwere seeking to rationalise their activities into one central location. The former Federation of Labour build-ing in Lukes Lane was purchased andAccent Architects were commissionedto convert the run down building into acentre that could accommodate the var-ious community groups and servicesthat Sisters of Compassion support.

The interior of the building was refur-bished to meet the needs of a diverseuser group, while re-roofing and theapplication of a water-proofing mem-

brane transformed a leaking buildinginto a dry one.

Lukes Lane is a bleak environment, andthe existing building blended into themediocrity of its location. The designteam chose a daring colour scheme tolift the spirits of the Centre’s usergroups as well as make a positive contri-bution to onto what was a dark andunwelcoming Lane.

As Sisters of Compassion Congrega-tional Leader Sister Rae Berry comment-ed “Accent Architects have adopted avery creative use of colour, which has

transformed Compassion House into abright spot in an otherwise dull part ofthe inner City”

A Splash of Colour

P E R S P E C T I V E S

Designing new houses and largescale house extensions is a very per-sonal process that relies on a closebond developing between architectand client. New house design is allabout expressing the client’s individu-ality within the context of the sitesterrain, landscape and/orstreetscape.

Through its Greytown office, AccentArchitects is getting a number of

opportunities to be involved in newhouse commissions and large scalehouse extensions throughout theWairarapa region.

A number (but certainly not all) ofthese commissions are for Wellingtonbased people requiring a weekender.The ability to utilise an architect withlocal area knowledge and contextualdesign sympathy, while being able tointeract regularly in Accent’s

Wairarapa Houses

Masterton House before extension Martinborough House

Greytown House

Masterton House decking

Masterton House after extension

Wellington office, has proven to be asuccessful combination.

The comparative small scale of indi-vidual housing enables a concentra-tion on detailing to be undertaken thatis often not possible in large scalecommercial and education projects. Itis the personalisation of domesticarchitecture as well as the highlyfocused attention to detail that marksnew house commissions and large

scale house extensions as beingamong the more challenging and sat-isfying projects that are undertaken bythe practise.

There is no common design signaturerunning through Accent Architectsdomestic architecture, and that isexactly the way the practice likes it.After all the results need to be individ-ual to the client not the architect.

Martinborough House Wairarapa House

Wairarapa House kitchen

Wairarapa House InteriorGreytown House Sofitt

P E R S P E C T I V E S

WOW is the word on the lips of firsttime visitors to Accent Architects newoffice and studio space at level 1, 258Thorndon Quay.

Accent Architects had outgrown theirprevious premises and required a highprofile location that would accommo-date their steady growth in numbers.

The new space is an amalgamation ofinterior design and practical art installa-tion. The result is a dynamic open planspace that leaves visitors and teammembers in no doubt that they haveentered a creative environment.

Thorndon Quay has long been consid-ered Wellington’s building designprecinct, and Accent Architects arrivalfurther enhances that reputation.

Accent Architects move to Thorndon Quay

258 Thorndon Quay, WellingtonP O Box 3591, Wellington 6140tel: (04) 939 8222 fax: (04) 939 8221

30 Main Street, GreytownP O Box 44, Greytown 5742tel: (06) 304 7006 fax: (06) 304 7008www.accentarch.co.nz