Pete Bossley

Peter James Bossley (born 1950) is a New Zealand architect based in Auckland, most recognised for his role leading the design team for the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Bossley was an adjunct professor at the Unitec Institute of Technology School of Architecture. He has received numerous awards, including the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) Gold Medal in 2012 for outstanding contributions to the practice of architecture.

Early life and education Bossley was born in Nelson in 1950 and attended Nelson College in 1962, followed by his final years at Christchurch Boys' High School.

He initially trained as an architectural technician gaining a NZCD (Arch) in 1974, and then attended the University of Auckland, graduating with BArch (Hons) in 1977.

Career As a young architect, Bossley set up a practice with fellow graduates a year after completing his studies. The firm was first called Pete Bossley Architects, and then became Bossley Cheshire Architects, a joint practice with Pip Cheshire from 1984 to 1988. In 1989, Bossley Cheshire merged with JASMaD and Gibbs Harris to form Jasmax, of which Bossley was a director from 1989 to 1996. In 2012 a new company, Bossley Architects, was formed.

Architectural style and projects While studying architecture, Bossley demonstrated an unorthodox personal style, and a strong empathy towards a building's natural environment. the Brown Vujcich House, and the Okitu House, all of which were award-winning residential designs. Bossley's residential designs are characterised by innovative structural elements, bright colour accents, strong geometry, and dramatic individuality.

Notable works Island Complex, Bay of Islands (1997) Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington (1998)

Awards Bossley and his practice have received over 60 New Zealand Institute of Architects awards, In 2012 Bossley was awarded the New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal in 2012 for outstanding contributions to the practice of architecture.

Publications One Year Drawn , Point Publishing, 2019 Pete Bossley Architects, The New Zealand Architectural Publications Trust, 2005 Te Papa, An Architectural Adventure, Te Papa Press, 1998