Colour shapes how we feel about the places in which we live.

Almost everyone has an opinion on colour; favourite colours, most disliked colours, and preferred colour combinations.  Nonetheless, these views and perceptions change with age and mood and fashion.

I’m excited about the opening of the new Waikato Regional Theatre, though I confess much of the publicity about the opening and upcoming events has largely passed me by.  What I’m more excited about is the idea that such a significant legacy project is about to be realised in the Waikato.

It’s fascinating watching people walk into the PAUA Architects’ office for the first time.  I’m not sure what the expectation is, but we frequently receive comments remarking how interesting the space is.

While times have changed, most Waikato towns still serve a significant rural population base, who have very little choice but to drive to town to do their shopping or business.  And common opinion amongst retail businesses seems to be strongly in favour of free on-street parking provision for their customers.

I’ve been thinking about low-hanging fruit; relatively simple actions that businesses and building owners can take to improve their office environments.

New Zealand needs to be more productive.  If we want to enjoy the same or better quality of life, and to afford quality public services, with an aging population, we simply need to earn more.  This means being more productive, i.e. working smarter, not harder.  One way we can achieve that in the construction industry, is by working better together.

This column was inspired by an off-hand comment made on a recent visit to our second office – aka Scotts Epicurean – about the hot, humid weather we’ve been having, and the wonderfully cool(er) courtyard space which remains one of Scotts’ best kept secrets.

Town planners have been getting a hard time lately.  Listening to the rhetoric of government ministers, developers and other commentators, you could be left thinking they were responsible for nearly all the challenges and inefficiencies in building more, and more affordable, housing.