SESSION Abstract: Buildings Carry Meanings
This course explores the enduring legacy of ancient architectural traditions and their profound influence on the modern built environment. By tracing the evolution of structural logic from Egyptian post-and-beam construction to the symbolic verticality of Gothic cathedrals, students will analyze how form communicates institutional values. Through a comparative study of iconic structures like the Parthenon and the Roman Pantheon, the curriculum decodes the shift from external sculptural aesthetics to internal cosmic symbolism. Finally, by examining New Zealand landmarks in Napier and Auckland, the session demonstrates how contemporary civic and corporate designs replicate classical motifs to project authority, permanence, and security.
Date: Thursday 21st January, 2027
Location: We are delighted to be hosting at the Hygge at Clifton Bay Clifton Road, Te Awanga, New Zealand
Time & format: The course will start at 10am, with a coffee and tea break followed by a lively facilitated discussion to answer all your curious questions. The course will finish at 12pm each week.
About the expert
Jonathan Pickup
Jonathan Pickup is the founder and director of Archoncad, a leading global destination for Vectorworks training, resources, and community education. Trained as an architect in New Zealand and the UK, Jonathan brings decades of hands-on design industry experience to his educational platform.
As a premier authority on CAD and BIM solutions, he specializes in Vectorworks Architect, 3D Modeling, and Landmark software workflows. Through Archoncad, Jonathan empowers design professionals, architects, and landscapers worldwide to maximize their software potential, streamline their drafting processes, and elevate their creative projects through comprehensive online courses, manuals, and continuous professional development
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