Influential global architects coming to study NZ wool

The New Zealand wool industry will host a five day seminar of eleven of the world’s top architects in Christchurch in early April.  

They will be here to talk about using wool and to get a hands-on feel for wool from inside the farm gate through to the finished product.  The event is aimed at renewing interest and understanding by architects in using wool in both domestic and commercial buildings and will cover carpets, bedding and other interior textile uses.

The benefits of using wool rather than synthetic fibres, especially its luxury, health and safety attributes and fire resistance will be major themes of the seminar.

Chairman of the National Council of New Zealand Wool Interests, Mr Stephen Fookes, said that the project, which is being organised by and funded through his Council, was initiated by the International Wool Textile Organisation of which New Zealand is an active member. 

Mr Fookes said that the project was awarded to New Zealand ahead of other interested wool producer countries such as the United Kingdom, Uruguay, South Africa and Australia.

“We see this project as being of real significance to the New Zealand wool industry.  The vast majority of our wool goes into interior textiles, especially carpet and bedding.  The focus this seminar can bring to our wool will have long term benefits that should increase both demand and price” Mr Fookes said.

“This is the first of several important projects my Council is working on at present to create new demand for wool and it fits perfectly with our belief that the only way to build a new future for wool is to work co-operatively with the wool industry around the world.”

“These architects are amongst the most influential in the world and changing the way they specify the finishes, particularly in large buildings such as hotels and office blocks is important.  

“The rest of the architectural profession takes note of what these people do and the flow-on effect to other architects is expected to be both real and significant.  That can only benefit New Zealand as the major producer of interior textile wool,” Mr Fookes said.

For more comment contact Stephen Fookes Tel 0274 446 491 or Nick Nicholson Tel 021 430 586. Released by Iain Morrison from Morrison McDougall Tel 021 688 668.