Wellington Architecture: A walking guide

by John Walsh

The third in the series of popular and handy guides to our urban architecture by the well-known team of writer John Walsh and photographer Patrick Reynolds. It tells the stories of more than 120 significant central-city buildings, and also of the architects who designed them. The buildings are grouped into five self-guided walking routes, each with a map; together these itineraries create a character portrait of New Zealand’s most urbane city. It’s the perfect guide for visitors to Wellington and also for locals who want to know more about their city.

Genres: Nonfiction, Architecture, Reference, History

296 pages, Paperback

Published April 7, 2022

Reviews

[Keen Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are lots of people with lots of love for the most southerly capital city, but beyond Te Papa, a couple of book shops and that wee sushi place which sells heavily discounted fare after a certain hour, I personally find very little that is appealing about the city.

There is just so much not to like, aside from too many politicians, bankers and bureaucrats, it has the climate and appearance of an off season seaside resort somewhere in the UK, but with a lot more snobbery and self-delusion. It’s not the greatest little city in the world, but an ugly, overpriced windy hole, that takes itself far too seriously.

And yet this guide does a decent job of making many of its buildings seem appealing and most interesting. This is a book which builds upon this pair’s previous guides to Auckland and Christchurch. Again this is a fleshed out guide and contains more entries than previous editions and I certainly learned a few interesting things along the way too. So you certainly don't have to love the city to enjoy this book.

[Nat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little book all about architecturally interesting building in Wellington. Was a really good introduction to some basic concepts in architecture, and I loved reading about buildings and streets that I knew well, and also some building that I don't think I've ever looked twice at before.

[Kenny Charlton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read during my ten minute breaks at work 3 pages at a time

Fine reading, though I wouldn't call this entry level architecture appreciation
A lot of the academia was lost on me any one can enjoy the architecture but not everyone can enjoy the book enjoying architecture

Tho I do have a deeper appreciation for my literal city

[Jordan Oosterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

WALKING!! + STRUCTURES, CONTEXT

[Clodagh · Rating 4 out of 5]

very powerful reading