Helen Margaret Tippett (23 March 1933 – 11 February 2004) was a professor of architecture in Australasia. Her career in academia began in

Melbourne Melbourne ( ; Boonwurrung/Woiwurrung: ''Narrm'' or ''Naarm'') is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of Victoria, and the second-most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Its name generally refers to a met ...

, Victoria, Australia, in 1969, where she taught 'Design and Practice and Management'. She worked as an architect throughout the Middle East. She moved to New Zealand, where she was Dean of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington from 1980 to 1983 during the architecture school's early years and helped set its tone. alongside the first Dean Gerd Block. In this position she was the first woman professor of architecture in Australasia, and Victoria University's first woman dean. She later moved into professional practice, co-founding The Architects Collaborative in Wellington. In 1989, Tippett became the first woman to be elected president of the

New Zealand Institute of Architects Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) is a membership-based professional organisation that represents 90 per cent of all registered architects in New Zealand, and promotes architecture that enhances the New Zealand livi ...

. She was also very influential in the building industry in New Zealand, and her work resulted in New Zealand's first official building code, and the Building Act 1991. She helped to establish the National Association of Women in Construction (New Zealand).

Education and early career

Tippet was born on 23 March 1933 and studied architecture at

Melbourne University The University of Melbourne is a public research university located in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1853, it is Australia's second oldest university and the oldest in Victoria. Its main campus is located in Parkville, an inner suburb nor ...

in the early 1950s, where her peers' description of her work at this time reveals "a determination to solve problems of careful planning analysis and building production as part of the design process".

Recognition

Tippett received the New Zealand Institute of Building medal in 1989, and was awarded a leadership award by the Master Builders Federation in 1990. She was appointed an

Officer of the Order of the British Empire The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is a British order of chivalry, rewarding contributions to the arts and sciences, work with charitable and welfare organisations, and public service outside the civil service. It was established o ...

, for services to architecture in the 1994 Queen's Birthday Honours.

Personal life

Tippett died on 11 February 2004. The same year, an archive of material collected and produced by Tippett was transferred to

Victoria University of Wellington Victoria University of Wellington ( mi, Te Herenga Waka) is a university in Wellington, New Zealand. It was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a constituent college of the University of New Zealand. The university is well know ...

Legacy

The National Association of Women in Construction (New Zealand) gives an annual award in her name, to a person or organisation who has "furthered the interests of women in the construction industry".

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tippett, Helen 1933 births New Zealand women architects 20th-century New Zealand architects 2004 deaths Academics from Melbourne New Zealand Officers of the Order of the British Empire Academic staff of Victoria University of Wellington University of Melbourne alumni