I wish I’d made that: Garden envy with local architects and gardeners

As part of Objectspace’s pondside event programme, join us for an evening of reflection and creative insights with five Ōtautahi Christchurch-based architects, gardeners, professionals and garden lovers.

While focusing on the theme of the garden, each speaker will share something they wish they’d made – whether that’s something that has sparked inspiration, admiration or even creative envy.

Speakers include architect Mitchell Coll and garden knowledge holders Wolfgang Bopp and Suzanne Pickford, with your final speaker announced soon.

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Mitchell Coll is a NZRAB registered architect and director at Fabric. He has over two decades of experience working as an architect and has led over 2500 projects largely within the Canterbury region. His experience ranges from small renovations and earthquake repairs on residential building to new build developments – from residential to mixed use and commercial. These include the likes of churches, multi-level apartments, warehouses, heritage category 1 listed buildings and medical facilities. Mitchell has sat on numerous industry boards and contributes as a guest crit or lecturer across the architecture field. He is a current board trustee of Te Putahi, Center for Architecture and City Making (Christchurch Transitional Architecture Trust) and is part of the Ara Industry advisory committee and Recognition of prior learning panel.

A career spanning over 30 years in botanic gardens, Wolfgang Bopp is currently Director of the Christchurch Botanic Gardens and Garden Parks. He is a trustee of the NZ Gardens Trust and of BGANZ. Wolfgang has supported research for the World List of Threatened Trees before becoming Assistant Curator at Ness Botanic Gardens. He then became Curator of the National Botanic Gardens of Wales, later serving as Curator and Director at Sir Harold Hillier Gardens. He was trustee of Plantnet, UK and Ireland for 10 years.

Suzanne Pickford has always loved art and nature – gardening being a passion combining the two. Experimenting in her large garden she has developed a holistic interest, spanning across Japanese pruning, garden rooms, meadows, naturalistic planting, bulbs, troughs and rock gardens. Responding to the closure of local specialist nurseries, Suzzane founded Ortel Nursery in West Melton, Waitaha Canterbury, an expansive garden where she grows and sells plants and hosts workshops and events – amongst other things. Suzanne is a member of the NZ Alpine Garden Society, editing and writing for their bulletin, and is an avid collector of plants and gardening books. She has visited gardens across Europe and the UK as well as mountainous areas in Turkey, Armenia, France and Spain – encouraging her keen interest in Aotearoa’s alpine flora too.

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This pondside event is made possible by a Boosted crowdfunder – . Our gratitude to everyone who rallied to support Objectspace in Ōtautahi and to match-funders Rātā Foundation, Creative New Zealand and Christchurch City Council.

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