BILLY HARRIS: KIDS IN THE COMMUNITY JETT GANNAWAY IS DRAWING HIS OWN CONCLUSION Talent comes in all shapes and sizes. In the case of St Peter’s College student Jett Gannaway, his talent IS shapes and sizes. Jett is a budding architect, and students and parents at Jett’s old school Marist Herne Bay get a close up of Jett’s handiwork every day. As they walk down the drive into the school, they go past the senior playground that Jett helped design when he was eight. It’s Jett’s first completed commission to date. He suggested to principal Robyn Pivac that the senior students have their own playground, so she suggested he come up with a plan, which he did in collaboration with Marist mother, and architect, Cecelia Edmond. A large fundraising was then organised to find the $20,000 needed to transform Jett’s vision into reality, and when it was completed the Bishop of Auckland, Patrick Dunn, came and blessed the playground. Jett acknowledges that compared to most children, for whom Playstation or a bouncy ball hold most fascination, architecture is an unusual interest, but it’s something that he was born with. ”I’ve always been interested in architecture,” he says, “because when you’re an architect you have control over how a building is designed.” Consequently much of the 10 year old’s spare time at home is spent designing buildings, both by hand and using Google SketchUp. He’s built up an impressive collection of books on architecture, which he constantly refers to, and he particularly admires structures by Gaudi and Norman Foster. So although it’s hard to predict with most children whether their hobby – passion might be a better word in this instance – will last, it seems clear that Jett’s fascination with architecture is not just a passing fad. He’s already started mapping out a career in the industry, having done a day’s work experience with Pete Bossley at his practice, and visiting other architects too. It’s not all about drawing though. Two years ago, Jett persuaded Auckland City Council to make the signs advising people not to feed the birds in the water at Western Springs Park bigger. As part of a homework project, he’s investigated why some of the birds had damaged wings, and learned it was because they were being poisoned by the wet bread. He took his case to Mayor Len Brown, who said he thought Jett was the youngest attendee at a “Mayor in the Chair” session. Mr Brown hadn’t been aware of the problem until Jett pointed it out, so he took it up with the local board, and the signs were redesigned. Despite his lobbying abilities, though, Jett hasn’t been sidetracked from his goals. The grand plan includes going to Auckland University after high school and completing his architecture degree, then working for Pete Bossley, and eventually establishing his own practice, specialising in small, eco-friendly buildings, reasoning that “if you’re going to build a house, you might as well do it properly, and that means making sure it’s built in a sustainable manner.” He’s mainly keen on designing residential buildings, with no desire to build typical commercial buildings, which he believes are big and ugly. He says the first one he builds will be for himself, but after that he intends to make his skills available to others. So if you think you might be wanting a house built in 10 or 15 years, best you get in touch with Jett now. There might be quite a queue later on. (BILLY HARRIS) PN Do you know of a kid in the community we should write about? He or she might be doing something interesting in academia, the arts, sports or anything else. Drop me a line at billyharris2000@hotmail.com
80 PONSONBY NEWS+ March 2013
CHILDREN’S BOOK REVIEW Maisy’s Farm by Lucy Cousins. Walker, $35.99 It’s more fun with Maisy! Maisy has been popular with pre-schoolers for at least a decade. There is certainly something about Lucy Cousin’s character that resonates with little ones. Maisy’s Farm follows the popular Maisy’s House format and opens up into a sturdy 3D scene and includes pull-tabs and press out pieces. Drive the tractor, feed the pigs: there’s so much to do on Maisy’s farm – it provides hours of imaginative play for little farmers. PN DOROTHY BUTLER CHILDREN’S BOOKSHOP, 1 Jervois Road T: 09 376 7283 www.childrensbookshop.co.nz
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