Passions collide in side-hustle for top Ara architectural technology student

_{KayZ displayed her Arts Centre ceramics at the iDraught event} 

Award-winning Diploma of Architectural Technology student Kay Zhang, or ‘KayZ,’ has a love of ancient Chinese ceramics, a passion for moulding and building, and a drive to learn new skills. 

 As she progresses through her qualification at Ara Institute of Canterbury, the single mum of two has combined it all in a passion project for a new Christchurch Arts Centre shop. 

Zhang took out the Gordon Harris Excellence in Drawing award at this year’s iDraught exhibition, an annual event celebrating the work of final-year architectural technology ākonga at Ara. 

Alongside her final classwork, her industry project to create ceramic models of heritage buildings for sale at the Christchurch Arts Centre was on also display for the friends, whānau, industry and tutors who gathered for the iDraught exhibition opening. 

“I have an explorer's spirit, and I've always worked in creative and design roles but being an architect has always been my dream pursuit,” Zhang said. She said she’d chosen to study at Ara because she wanted to add to her skill base somewhere highly regarded. “My technical skills have increased a lot,” she said. 

Originally from Beijing, Zhang also works as a tutor at the Canterbury Potters’ Association. It's a creative outlet she’s enjoyed for 15 years and a skill she has shared across the globe. 

When the Arts Centre was looking for local artists to create pieces to reflect its branding, with the goal of selling unique works in its new shop, Zhang and others from the association were keen to participate. 

After carefully crafting a prototype by hand, Zhang collaborated with another artisan and was assisted by other potters to cast a ‘mother mould’ to initially produce four sets of a Great Hall collection in porcelain.  

“Then I set out to find a solution to make a better ‘mother mould’,” Zhang said. “I bought a 3D printer, made a prototype and I've recently perfected a technique to mass produce these tiny works. It's saving labour time by sixty percent.” 

The items have been on display in the Arts Centre since the beginning of October. 

“The creation of these iconic buildings in ceramic has been my practical industry project for my study at Ara. It's involved a lot of hours of development and support from my tutors Dana van den Broek and Robert Hood.” 

With two papers remaining to complete her study, Zhang said the project had been a special way to connect her work and her learning.  She hopes to build on her association with the Arts Centre by taking up a workshop space there in future where she’ll continue to refine her ceramics series.  The plan is to make sets of the the heritage buildings which will house tealights inside them for sale.  

Speaking about the entire final year cohort at the iDraught event, programme leader Robert Hood said each student had experienced their own journey of imagination, academic and visual achievements.  He said he had seen them grow and develop, ready for the next chapter in their careers. 

“What I find amazing is the variety of work our students produce to the same creative brief for these final projects. We have 24 posters crammed with creativity, innovation and ideas. The different responses in tonality, spatial arrangements and concepts are just mind-blowing.” 

Hood also thanked the industry sponsors behind the iDraught awards, many of whom were present at the event. 

IDraught 2024 Awards  

• Holmes Consulting Achievement Award - Academic Excellence, Aidan Riddle  
• Warren & Mahoney Achievement Award - Best Documentation, Emma Gillespie 
• Gordon Harris Award – Excellence in Drawing, Kay Zhang 
• Architectural Designers NZ Award - Excellence in Leadership, Hayden Parker