Sheep and Dog Buildings, Tirau
The small town of Tirau, New Zealand, has the unofficial title of ‘Corrugated Capital of the World’.
By the late-1980s, Tirau, which had once been a thriving farming community, was in serious decline. A local businessman Henry Clothier, instigated a revival-of-sorts, by using discarded corrugated iron to create sculptures and structures, with the intention of attracting tourists passing by on the nearby highway.
The first building was the ‘Sheep’, constructed in the 1990s, and used to house a wool and craft store, making it a prime example of mimetic architecture. The building comprises a mixture of ground and first-floor showroom space, with a café and kitchen. The shop-owning family live on the first-floor in the self-sufficient mezzanine level.
The ‘Big Dog’ building was also built in the 1990s to house the visitor information centre, while the ‘Ram’ building adjoins the ‘Sheep’ and was completed in 2016 to increase showroom space and amenities.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles
Check out some of the best features and news from Designing Buildings as well as key stories from around the web.
The heritage of nuclear and conventional power stations.
New measures to stop people being ripped off
Government to protect families from cowboy builders and aggressive bailiffs.
New Futurebuild showcase brings an innovation-first approach.
National Planning Policy Framework
Understanding the 2026 changes.
ECA's public affairs priorities
Member consultation opens to shape priorities for 2027 to 2030.
Dutyholder responsibilities from 1 July 2026.
Where performance meets practice
The Building Envelope Stage at UKCW Birmingham.
CIAT publishes briefing on planning reforms.
Leaders in Learning for Practice Network
Call for conservation leaders in learning to register interest in new network.
The importance of early engagement
Construction lessons from the Trillium HealthWorks Experience Centre.
Mayors are to be given planning call in powers
Mayors across England will be able to make the most important planning decisions.
The Master Builder: William Butterfield and his times. Book review.