Our team gets the opportunity to work on some amazing projects. I think listening to our clients is critical, but understanding the commerciality of a project is important too. When we’re looking at design solutions, they’ve got to be good business as well as good architecture. The spaces between buildings are just as important as the buildings themselves. As architects, we must consider the building’s context, how it contributes to the urban fabric, and the opportunities it delivers to the wider realm. This often requires a balance between local and regional approaches to create powerful environments that draw people in and keep them coming back.
I’ve been at the helm at Ignite for more than 25 years. Throughout my career, I’ve played a significant role in shaping the built environment of New Zealand’s main centres. I pride myself on building and maintaining strong relationships with colleagues, clients, and consultants.
My inspiration comes from research and development. I like to look at architecture from the past – there’s a lot that history can teach us – but I really enjoy touring leading-edge architectural examples from around the world and interpreting these trends for our local context.