Personal space: Fritha Hobbs
Architectural graduate Fritha Hobbs.
Fritha is reading this ever-relevant book by Jane Jacobs.
For a lighter read, Fritha reaches for this Tim Winton book.
Fritha is looking forward to a trip to Rarotonga to see some artists’ fales she has designed.
Hobbs dreams of designing a tidal pool.
She has really enjoyed the NZ Wars podcast series.
She enjoys buying EPs from local gigs and is currently listening to Mac DeMarco (pictured).
Fritha is also listening to local artists Nadia Reid and Arthur Ahbez.
Fritha Hobbs is an architectural graduate at Strachan Group Architects. Here she shares some of the things she’s enjoying reading and listening to.
What are you reminiscing about from 2017?
The inaugural Festival of Architecture for which I was events coordinator. It was incredibly rewarding to see discussions about architecture and design appealing to the wider public – something I’ve long been an advocate for.
What are you reading?
I’m working my way through Jane Jacobs’ The Death and Life of Great American Cities – still such a relevant text today. It’s a dense read so I’m breaking it up with Tim Winton’s delicate memoir of his relationship with the landscape of Australia, Island Home.
What overseas travel are you looking forward to?
I recently designed a compact series of fales (Te Arerenga) for some artist friends in Rarotonga. The fales are used for artists’ residencies and accommodation. I haven’t been back since they were completed so that’s next on my list!
What architectural project are you dreaming of?
I’ve always wanted to design a tidal swimming pool. There’s something alluring about the synthesis of land, sea and man-made form.
What are you listening to?
I try to buy EPs of local artists when I go to gigs – most recently, Arthur Ahbez, Nadia Reid, Ghost Town and Marlon Williams. On my Spotify, I have Nina Simone, Townes van Zandt, Lou Reed and Mac DeMarco, and a few Afro-Pop artists.
What podcasts are you following?
When I’m doing a mundane task, I listen to podcasts and the most recent is the NZ Wars series on National Radio, recounting the British and Māori battles at the time of colonisation. It’s a really interesting series filling in some gaps in my New Zealand history.
Where might you be found this summer?
Piha, in the water, Avondale, in my garden, or K Road, sipping an afternoon aperol!
