Nicola Kelland - Architecture

Do you think it adds value to your home? Kellands have always loved beautiful homes, stunning buildings and fabulously designed beach houses. We are very sad to hear of the passing of one of New Zealand’s greatest architects, Sir Ian Athfield. His designs certainly created a reaction, some people loved them, others didn’t. He pushed the boundaries with his architecture and has left a legacy for future generations.



I truly believe that great architecture does add value to a property. Buying a property is often a very emotive process; the exterior look of the house and the location attracts a potential purchaser, but it is when they walk in the door and ‘feel’ the house that the magic happens. The way the house or building flows, the detailing that has been created and its ‘soul’ reflects the time, effort and expertise that the original owners and their architect or designers have invested.



All that being said, it’s sad to see some of the new homes that are being created in our suburbs recently and the effect it is having firstly on the immediate neighbours and also the neighbourhood. Clearly good design principals have not been incorporated, resulting in unattractive homes popping up all around us. At a time where land values are possibly at their highest, I find it extraordinary that the people building these homes, often for re-sale, are not investing in good architecture.



Architecture shapes a city for many many years to come, it is sad that a period of a property boom will leave our suburbs with some uncreative and at times undesirable design. If these builders, developers or homeowners had engaged good designers they may well have reaped the rewards that the neighbourhoods would have benefited. What do you think?