Megan Wraight

Megan Wraight
Born(1961-12-12)12 December 1961
Rangiora, New Zealand
Died31 August 2020(2020-08-31) (aged 58)
Alma materRMIT University, Melbourne
OccupationLandscape architect
AwardsNZ Arts Foundation Laureate Award
PracticeWraight + Associates Limited
Websitewww.waal.co.nz

Megan Mary Wraight (12 December 1961 – 31 August 2020) was a New Zealand landscape architect who had considerable influence on the design of public spaces.[1][2] She was the founding principal of Wraight + Associates Limited, which has completed a wide variety of large-scale urban projects throughout New Zealand, including waterfront redevelopments, educational facilities, transport facilities and urban-renewal projects.[3][4]

Biography

Waitangi Park plantings, 2007

Wraight was born in Rangiora and lived in rural settings there, Havelock North and Motueka as she was growing up.[5]

Wraight completed a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at RMIT University, Melbourne, in 1992.[4] In 2006, she received the International Federation of Landscape Architect award, one of the industry's highest international honours,[3] and in 2013 she was the first landscape architect to receive the Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award.[2]

Wraight started her own practice in 1998 - Megan Wraight Landscape Architects. It was restructured into Wraight + Associates in 2003.[6]

Tīramarama Way in Wynyard Quarter, design curated by Wraight and artist Lisa Reihana

Her Waitangi Park project in Wellington showcased sustainable landscape design, particularly water conservation, and her work on the Wynyard Quarter on Auckland's waterfront is an example of urban waterfront renewal.[2][4] The Taranaki Wharf precinct in Wellington was a collaboration between Ian Athfield (architect), Graeme McIndoe, Chris McDonald, Stuart Niven (urban designers), Wraight and Penny Allen (landscape architects).[7]

Wraight + Associates also designed Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington, and have won many awards from the New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, including four of the top awards in 2017.[2][4]

Projects and awards

Some of Wraight + Associates' projects include:

References

  1. ^ Chumko, Andre (1 September 2020). "Capital landscape architect Megan Wraight, public space pioneer, dies at 58". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h "'Megan Wraight'". The Arts Council. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b "'International accolades for NZ landscape architect'". Scoop.co.nz. 23 May 2006. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "Megan Wraight | WĀ". Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  5. ^ Chumko, Andre (26 September 2020). "Megan Wraight wove Papatūānuku into public space". Stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 27 September 2020.
  6. ^ "Stuff". www.stuff.co.nz. Retrieved 22 September 2024.
  7. ^ Gatley, Julia; Walker, Paul (1 January 2014). Vertical living : the Architectural Centre and the remaking of Wellington. Auckland University Press. ISBN 978-1-86940-815-2.
  8. ^ "Christchurch Coastal Pathway". Christchurch Coastal Pathway. Retrieved 28 May 2019.
  9. ^ "'The Wharf At Work'". Landscape Architecture Magazine. 5 June 2017. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
  10. ^ "Pukeahu National War Memorial Park | NZ Institute of Landscape Architects". nzila.co.nz. Retrieved 9 February 2019.
  11. ^ Freeman, Lynn (3 November 2013). Landscape architect Megan Wraight (Streaming audio). Arts on Sunday. RNZ.
  12. ^ a b c "2017 Award Winners | Resene NZILA Pride of Place Landscape Architecture | NZ Institute of Landscape Architects". nzila.co.nz. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  13. ^ New Lynn Reserve Management Plan 2004 (Report). Waitakere City Council. 2004. pp. 81–83.