book-2

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSVarious organizations have provided financial support for this project.The Cement and Concrete Association of New Zealand, the SteelConstruction Industry of New Zealand, the New Zealand TimberDesign Society and Victoria University of Wellington contributed towardsthe first field-study costs in 1992. Their generosity, repeated for a secondtrip in 2001, was supplemented by university summer researchgrants before, between and after those trips. Victoria University alsofunded the final field study to the USA in 2004.I am most grateful for several research assistants who have broughtmuch to this work. Jim McKie and Virginia Jamieson were involved atthat delicate stage when the research was in its infancy and they werefollowed by Greg Miller who assisted with the preparatory work for the2001 study trip. Sam Martin and Katherine Bowron continued when thebook was taking shape, bringing the perspectives of senior architecturalstudents to bear on the chapter drafts. Katherine produced thediagrams.Numerous colleagues in the Schools of Architecture and Design havemade helpful contributions. Comments from Mark Taylor, JulieannaPreston, Martin Hanley, Anna Kemble Welch, Christina McKay,Elizabeth and Peter Russell, Geoff Thomas, Robin Skinner and GeorgeBaird have helped improve and resolve the first two chapters, particularlyin their early stages. The advice of John Gray and WernerOsterhaus, and the assistance of the Schools of Architecture andDesign library staff has also been greatly appreciated. Paul Hillier andElla Reed of the photographic section have worked with hundreds ofimages while Peter Ramutenas and Brent Hardy have provided necessarycomputer support.Finally, thanks to my wife, Annette, for her support and encouragementthroughout the project.Unless otherwise noted, photographs are by the author.