He's one of the most influential architects in New Zealand history, responsible for some of the most instantly recognisable buildings in the country. Now, he's become a knight.

Wellington architect Ian Athfield has become Sir Ian, as a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit.

In a professional career spanning half a century, Athfield's stamp has been imprinted across Wellington. With Roger Walker, he is probably New Zealand's leading exponent of modernist architecture.

His most well-known works are the City Library and its nikau palm columns, built as part of the Civic Square redevelopment in the 1980s, and his sprawling Khandallah house.

Tumbling down the hillside, his home, also the base for his firm, is an unmistakable landmark.

Angela Foster, from the Wellington branch of the Institute of Architects, said Athfield - widely known as Ath - had been at the forefront of developments in the capital, particularly in the 80s.

"He was part of the team that started to rework Wellington. That's his legacy."

His design for the city library and involvement in Civic Square had become a centrepiece. "The nikau palm columns are probably his really iconic work for the city . . . up there with the Beehive."

Julia Gatley, senior lecturer in architecture at Auckland University, who wrote a book about Athfield, said: "It's a wonderful and very appropriate recognition for the country's most creative and original architect.

"Certainly he has earned it, and a lot of people will be delighted about it not only because of his work, but also because he is so open-minded and generous, a great personality, but also someone with a strong sense of humanity."

Athfield, born in Christchurch in 1940, was appointed NZIA architectural ambassador for the Christchurch rebuild and also served as the institute's president from 2006-08.