Book celebrates unique lives

Book celebrates unique lives

Take an unorthodox architect, his unique self-built home, a stunning Auckland coastal location, add a keen photographer, and you have Unconventional Architecture: Simon Devitt and Tony Watkins, the latest publication in the series of Ripe Fruit books.

Produced by photographer Simon Devitt, the publication is a celebration of Tony Watkins as an architect, educator, environmentalist and all-round maverick.

Devitt, who is best known for his architectural photography, lectures in this area at the School of Architecture and Planning at the University of Auckland.

His latest work features Watkins who Devitt has captured in his constantly evolving, one of a kind, Karaka Bay house that was built over time, as money allowed.

“I want to tell stories about unique people who are at the peak of their powers,” says Devitt. Choosing people that he has met during his career as a photographer, Devitt celebrates his subjects, capturing them in a moment in time.

The first publication in the series featured artist Mary McIntyre. Ripe Fruit Vol. 2 - Unconventional Architecture: Simon Devitt and Tony Watkins will be officially launched on Wednesday 21 November from 7-9.30pm at the Auckland Art Gallery.

This event will bring the book to life by recreating the intimate, personal setting of Simon’s images taken in and around Tony’s house, hidden from view by the trees of Karaka Bay. Join Simon and Tony in conversation with award-winning designer Nat Cheshire and hear about vernacular design, unconventional thinking and the art of architecture and photography. There will be drinks, music and a one-night-only exhibition of Simon’s photographs featured in Ripe Fruit Vol. 2.

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