I often think about what influenced my decision to be an architect and I can't really pin point a single light bulb moment. However, when it comes to mountaineering this image is when I set myself a goal to become a mountaineer.
Taken in 1975 when I was 11 years old, this faded photo shows me standing on the summit of Mt Sebastopol in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
My dad was a taxidermist and had a display to do at the Park HQ visitors centre. He used work trip to take the whole family to the South Islands National Parks.
It was the August school holidays so lots of snow but a sunny winters day.
I climbed this peak with my dad who had told me lots of stories about his climbing.
I love the simplicity of this trip, corduroy trousers, polar neck jersey knitted by my Nana and my school dry japara raincoat tied around my waist. The cloths and long hair are so 1970's, good times. My eyes are closed due to the glare off the snow as I didn't have sun glasses.
I still remember reaching the summit and looking across at Cook and thinking how on earth would I climbed that. I was determined to find a way and ten years later I summited.
I'm going to have a think about the things that lead me to be an architect because at the time of this photo I wanted to be a Taxidermist just like my dad.
What I do know is NZ is amazing and it is a privilege to design buildings in our incredible landscapes.
If want to build in the New Zealand landscape come talk to me as I will bring my passion for the outdoors to your project.
I am Graeme Jacobs an architect and mountaineer based in Christchurch doing projects throughout my beloved South Island.
