Festival of Architecture + Ghost Forests Launch

Join us for the official launch of the 2026 Festival of Architecture and Ghost Forests - Photographer Andy Spain’s latest photographic series exploring the ecological histories hidden within New Zealand’s architectural heritage. This evening of celebration includes a short presentation discussing the motivations behind the Ghost Forests exhibition and the context it engages with, as well as teasers from the presenters of the upcoming lunchtime talks series.

The Aotearoa Festival of Architecture is an annual festival by Te Kahui Whaihanga / The New Zealand Institute of Architects , which celebrates Wellington’s creative energy, and the impact architecture, design and community has in our city. Our aim is to encourage collaborative conversation and connect everyone who loves architecture.

Ghost Forests is a photographic and video project that explores the ecological histories hidden within New Zealand’s architectural heritage. The work considers the relationship between buildings like the Wellington’s Old Government Buildings—one of the world’s largest surviving timber (Kauri) buildings—and the forests that supplied its construction material. The project proposes the idea of architecture as ecological heritage. Historic timber buildings are often discussed through the lenses of architecture, craftsmanship and preservation. Less frequently acknowledged are the forests that made them possible. Ghost Forests asks visitors to consider buildings as repositories of environmental memory. The exhibition is open for 2 weeks - see details here .

A huge thank you to Critical Signals for hosting this exhibition and the discourse it aims to provoke. With thanks also to Parrotdog Brewery for sponsoring the evenings refreshments.

New Zealand Institute of Architects - Wellington Branch