How would you describe your journey?

With a number of extraordinary structures and an array of accolades to their credit, these renowned architects with their exceptional work are paving a way for a better future Our journey has nothing out of the extraordinary, but it had a good start. I was lucky, in my penultimate year at architecture school, a young man (who had inherited a lot of money) came to my school to commission a student to design a house. Luckily, for me, the top graduate was an overseas student, so I was introduced in his absence.

So, with no experience I had my first job. I needed help, so I joined a small practice that was happy to support me in getting the house built. Once complete, I entered it into the top housing prize in the country - it was completely overlooked. But the next year it won a bigger, more major award.

If you could tell our readers about some of your award-winning designs?

Our collection of residential, commercial and civic deigns have gone on to win national and international awards. Our most recognised design (lately) is the Len Lye Museum, which we completed last year. It is New Zealand’s first (and only) dedicated single Artist Gallery. Its exterior is crafted from a curved stainless steel and concrete colonnade, paying tribute to the kinetic sculptor, Len Lye. It transfers light in a holographic effect. Light is drawn inside through the apertures in the colonnade and these create moving light patterns.

What is your take on environmentally sound and sustainable architectural design?

I try to imbed core earth values into my designs as much as possible. For example, earth cultures often believe that we are a product of a sensual Sky Father and Earth Mother; we are part of the planet and the planet is part of us. I keep this idea in mind during the designing process.