All About HOME Magazine

Back in the Days

In 1936, HOME was published 4 times per year under the flag 'Building Today.' It was launched for the people fond of homes and gardens or engaged in architecture and Building. At that time, the Spanish era was trending. Fires and earthquakes in 1931 left New Zealand in a devastating state. In 1937, the first state houses were set in motion, and the depression was fading off. It was a time of change and was epic for the Spanish mission.

Aspiration of Magazine

In the first editorial, the desire of this home magazine was made clear: "In this young country, there is a glorious opportunity for all our people to live and work in beautiful and efficient buildings. Unhampered by the past, but with every architectural tradition from which to borrow, with unique and vigorous natural surroundings from which to draw inspiration... the way is open to developing a characteristic native architecture."

Launch of Magazine

The magazine was disseminated free by Victor Beckett and the New Zealand Institute of Architects to NZIA members and was circulated for 9 pence an issue. The name was changed to Home and Building when it was distributed nationwide. Thenceforward, HOME has detailed the evolution and progress of New Zealand’s domestic and residency through the built environment lens.

In the Eyes of Former Editors

Three former HOME editors talked about the experience at the helm, highlights of all the past years, and what the architectural residency depicts about life in Aotearoa.

The three editors were:

Debra Millar (1994-2000)

Claire McCall (2000-2005)

Jeremy Hansen (2005-2016)

 

Experience and Memories:

Debra Millar was the first allotted assistant editor to Kirsty Beckett when he was 25. Home & Building was the magazine's name, and it had the Victor Beckett family. Debra Millar had never worked on a magazine before that. As a young newspaper journalist, it was a vertiginous learning curve for him. However, the magazine was an iconic and famous one.

Jeremy Hansen was a journalist in Hong Kong for about a decade. He was fond of writing about architecture. At his time, NZ home and Entertaining was the name given to the magazine, and he loved its focus on architecture. To him, this magazine was an opportunity to showcase his country as a hub of design novelty. Fortunately, a friend gave him some freelance stories, and his first article piece was based on the mid-century Wellington home architecture of Bill Alington.  

Relevancy of the magazine:

The magazine has stayed relevant for 85 years by providing a steady journal on home design in New Zealand for decades. This magazine has proved to be a good impact on the profession of architecture and is positive for the consumers of architecture. Many fresh architects got their work boosted by getting featured in this magazine. This magazine is setting standards for a good home in New Zealand.

The magazine has been continually investing in upgraded photography of architecture and content writing. It has promised loyalty to the readers and the architects of New Zealand, who are building novel homes.