ABOUT ME
With 16 years of architectural experience in New Zealand, my work has spanned design, project delivery and practice management, giving me a broad understanding of how architecture is shaped, coordinated and delivered.
My career began at Jasmax, Pac Studio and Monk Mackenzie, where I worked within boutique studios to large multidisciplinary firms. This provided a strong grounding in established architectural processes and exposed me to different ways of structuring teams, projects and practice.
Through Common Space, I moved into practice management and developed a deeper understanding of how architectural value can extend beyond conventional architectural services and outcomes.
This led me to undertake postgraduate study at UoA in commercialisation and entrepreneurship to expand my experience into product development, business model formation and validation, IP strategy, and emerging technology application.
I have subsequently applied these interests across several ventures and roles:
I am co-founder of Casett, a modular timber kitchen system developed for the consumer & specifier market.
As Design Consultant for Belcanto, I contributed to the introduction of the Grappler unitised aluminium balcony system to NZ and Australia, gaining direct experience to modern methods of construction (MMC).
I also served as Strategic AEC Industry Advisor for Wiretap, supporting the development and go-to-market strategy of an AI powered visualisation platform.
Together, all of these experiences have broadened how I think about putting buildings and projects together along with how established architectural processes can be refined and supplemented by new ideas, systems and methodologies.
CURRENT DIRECTION
I am now looking to bring a more integrated approach to design and delivery, drawing on my experiences within MMC and building systems back into architectural practice.
ROLES & EXPERIENCE
Common Space | Director / Project Architect | 2018 - Present | Architecture studio working across residential, commercial and workplace projects. |
Wiretap | Strategic Industry Advisor | 2026 | Early-stage AI visualisation tools for architecture and product design. |
Belcanto | Design Consultant | 2022 - 2025 | Specialists in offsite manufactured modular apartment balcony systems |
Casett | Co-Founder | 2022 - Present | Development of a modular timber-based kitchen system |
Master of Commercialisation | University of Auckland | 2018 - 2019 | Postgraduate studies on the processes required to commercialise new products and services |
Pac Studio, Monk Mackenzie, Lammas Overdyck | Contract Architect | 2016, 2017, 2026 | Boutique architecture studios working across design intensive projects. |
NZRAB | Registration | 2015 | New Zealand Registered Architects Board |
Jasmax | Senior Associate | 2010 - 2015 | Large scale architecture practice delivering nationally significant projects |
University of Auckland | Design and Computing Tutor | 2009, 2012, 2016 | School of Architecture and Planning |
University of California, Berkeley | Exchange Student | 2007 | Berkeley Campus College of Environmental Design |
University of Auckland | Bachelor of Architecture Bachelor of Architectural Studies | 2004 - 2008 | School of Architecture and Planning |
Strategy
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. This is the place to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
Advertising
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. This is the place to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
Content
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. This is the place to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
Visual Identity & Branding
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. This is the place to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
Social Media & Marketing Campaigns
Describe the service and how customers or clients can benefit from it. This is the place to add a short description with relevant details, like pricing, duration and how to book.
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
COMMON SPACE
2018 – present
Director / Project Architect
Common Space is an award-winning architecture and design studio established as a platform to deliver projects that contribute meaningfully to their context and users. Our work has centred primarily on new-build and renovation residential projects, light commercial work and workplace interiors ($0.5m - $5m). We typically provide a full architectural service, taking projects from pre-design briefing through to on-site construction. As co-director of a studio of up to four, I have led all aspects of the practice, including business development, client and stakeholder engagement, briefing, design development, project delivery and day-to-day operations. Working predominantly in Auckland over recent years has required us to pursue architecture that is creative while remaining affordable and buildable, always through a collaborative process. This has often been achieved through disciplined planning, a focused material palette and careful prioritisation of where design effort creates the most value. We have also developed ongoing relationships with a small group of main contractors, building trust and continuity between projects to help maintain quality through construction.
Key Projects:
Rural Art Gallery
Cap House
Crimson Education Office
Mirrored Townhouses
Epsom Mixed Use Conversion
Rainbow Machine
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
COMMON SPACE
Director / Project Architect
2018 – present
Common Space is an award-winning architecture and design studio established as a platform to deliver projects that contribute meaningfully to their context and users. Our work has centred primarily on new-build and renovation residential projects, light commercial work and workplace interiors ($0.5m - $5m). We typically provide a full architectural service, taking projects from pre-design briefing through to on-site construction. As co-director of a studio of up to four, I have led all aspects of the practice, including business development, client and stakeholder engagement, briefing, design development, project delivery and day-to-day operations. Working predominantly in Auckland over recent years has required us to pursue architecture that is creative while remaining affordable and buildable, always through a collaborative process. This has often been achieved through disciplined planning, a focused material palette and careful prioritisation of where design effort creates the most value. We have also developed ongoing relationships with a small group of main contractors, building trust and continuity between projects to help maintain quality through construction.
Key Projects:
-
Rural Art Gallery
-
Cap House
-
Crimson Education Office
-
Mirrored Townhouses
-
Epsom Mixed Use Conversion
-
Rainbow Machine
Crimson Education Office
Company: Common Space
Client: Crimson Education
Type: Workplace Interior
Location: Auckland
Scale: 300m2
Budget: $350,000
Year: 2017
Role: Sole architect and director
Scope: Concept through to Construction
Capabilities demonstrated: Briefing, Concept Design, Documentation, Client Engagement.
Awards: DINZ Best Awards, AGM Interior Awards, Dulux Colour Awards
Description: A workplace for 36 UX designers and software developers, created within an existing open-plan 1960s warehouse and organised around a mix of focused work areas, breakout spaces, meeting rooms and shared amenities. The design used a series of interlinked spatial zones to create a vibrant but flexible working environment that supported both collaboration and individual concentration. Additional flexibility allowed the office to host external events, helping Crimson Education open its workplace to the wider public and build stronger connections with its community.
Recognition:
DINZ Best Awards 2018 - Workplace Environments Gold Pin - Judge's comments: "One clear idea well executed defines the space, providing a daring and interesting space. The craftmanship was excellent."
Interior Awards 2018 - Workplace Category Winner - Judge's Comments: “This office uses a delicate balance of hard and warm materials, muted and strong colours, and simplicity and movement to represent an equally vibrant millennial and Gen Z workforce.”
Cap House
Company: Common Space
Client: Private Individual
Location: Whangaparoa, Auckland
Scale: 300m2
Budget: $2.5 million
Year: 2021-2023
Role: Director / Project Architect
Scope: Concept through to Building Consent
Capabilities demonstrated: Briefing, Concept Design, Documentation, Client Engagement.
Description: House for a retired couple situated by a coastal waterway that housed their boat.
Mirrored Townhouse
Company: Common Space
Client: Private Developer
Location: Auckland
Scale: 1200m2
Budget: $3-4m
Year: 2022
Role: Director / Architect
Scope: Concept through to Preliminary Design
Capabilities demonstrated: Briefing, Concept Design, Client Engagement.
Description: Four-unit townhouse development that maximises a constrained site through mirrored forms, consolidated access and carefully positioned outdoor spaces, creating strong street presence, privacy and all-day sunlight.
Epsom Mixed Use
Company: Common Space
Client: Private Investor
Type: Mixed-Use Residential & Commercial
Location: Auckland
Scale: 600m2
Budget: $1.7 million
Year: 2020-2023
Role: Director / Project Architect
Scope: Briefing through to Construction
Capabilities demonstrated: Briefing, Client engagement, Feasibility, Concept, Detail Design, Consenting,
Description: Conversion of an existing 1970s residential block into a mixed-use residential and commercial complex, requiring targeted upgrades to meet current Building Code requirements, including fire and structural compliance. The resource consent also introduced specific acoustic and commercial tenancy requirements that needed to be resolved through the design.
Rural Art Gallery
Company: Common Space
Client: Anna Bidwill Foundation
Type: Community
Location: Martinborough
Scale: 1000m2
Budget: $4 million+
Year: 2019-2020
Role: Director / Project Architect
Scope: Concept to Preliminary Design
Capabilities demonstrated: Briefing, Client engagement, Feasibility, Concept,
Description: Located in a small rural town in New Zealand, serving both the local community and drawing visitors from afar. The design seeks to create a different way of viewing art from an austere metropolitan gallery. Drawing on the rural context, it is comprised of a cluster of buildings clad in timber boards and metal roofing. These buildings are linked together by a continuous landscape wall, made of rammed earth and concrete, that encloses a central courtyard space; a cloister for the contemplation of art. I was directly involved on all aspects from client briefing to early Preliminary Design of the gallery assessing gallery operations and initial structural and mechanical feasibility work.
Testimonial: “We asked Common Space to design us an art gallery in a rural setting. They listened to what we wanted and were very easy to work with, including being excellent at dealing with local council. They kept us informed of costings throughout the building process, so that there would be no financial issues at the end of the project. We were delighted with the result and would highly recommend them both.” — Anna Bidwill Foundation
Rainbow Machine
Company: Artist Team in collaboration with Shahriar Asdollah-Zadeh & Sarosh Mulla
Client: Auckland City Council Public Art Team
Type: Public Art
Location: Auckland
Scale: 20m2
Year: 2014-2019
Role: Artist Team
Scope: Concept through to Fabrication
Description: Rainbow Machine is an interactive public artwork that transforms sunlight into colour, allowing children and adults to create rainbows through the movement of a prismatic viewing cone. Developed collaboratively across art, architecture, science and engineering, the project uses custom optical components and specialised manufacturing processes to turn a natural phenomenon into an engaging public experience. Designed as a mobile installation for Auckland Council, it can be relocated across the city and was recognised at the 2019 Best Design Awards across exhibition, colour and lighting categories.
DINZ Best Awards 2019 - Spatial Category Purple Pin - Judge's comments: “A celebration of public realm, an installation whose form and colour invites us in from a distance and inspires us to partake in the joy of nature. A clever intervention that transforms its environment, and vice versa. Makes you think about how much the city needs more fun stuff for people of all ages.”
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
BELCANTO
Design Consultant
2022 - 2025
Belcanto is an early-stage MMC building systems company (20-30 employees) introducing the Grappler unitised aluminium residential high-rise balcony system to New Zealand and Australia under licence from Sapphire Balconies UK. Projects were predominantly across private development, Kāinga Ora and retirement village sectors. As Design Consultant, I worked across architectural design, engineering, manufacturing and construction delivery, leading initial project and consultant engagement, technical coordination, and the internal Producer Statement (PS1) documentation and review process across a team of four, in coordination with structural, façade and mechanical fabrication engineers, while translating design intent into fabricatable outcomes. I also contributed to marketing and business development, product strategy, market validation, Industry 4.0 initiatives, BIM and Informed Design workflow development, team mentoring, branding and specifier communication. The experience reinforced the value of bringing manufacturing and supply-side thinking earlier into the design process to improve quality, buildability and delivery, while early exploration of Australian projects highlighted how operating across a larger market can help smooth demand for off-site volumetric manufacturers.
Key Projects & Involvement
-
Hospital Rd, Kaumatua BTR Housing - Client: Te Whānau o Waipareira, Main Contractor: Latham Construction
-
St Johns Retirement Village - Client and Main Contractor: Summerset
-
Highbury Triangle Social Housing - Client: Kainga Ora, Main Contractor: CMP
-
Callaghan Innovation Industry 4.0 workshop
-
Belcanto Positioning and Rebrand
Grappler Balcony System
The Grappler system is a unitised, fully offsite-assembled aluminium balcony system developed as an alternative to conventional balcony construction. Lightweight aluminium balcony cassettes are connected back to the building through a patented support system using pre-installed structural anchor stubs and extension arms, allowing cantilevered, post-supported or suspended configurations. The system can integrate with a wide range of façade types and primary structures, including precast concrete, steel and CLT. By shifting fabrication and assembly into a controlled factory environment, complete balcony units can arrive on site ready for crane installation, reducing structural loads, site trades, weather exposure and programme risk while providing greater control over quality, weathertightness and cost. Installation rates of up to 15 balconies per day were achievable depending on project conditions.
As Design Consultant, I led the front-end design and coordination workflow for Grappler projects, translating architectural intent into solutions adaptable to the Grappler method, while maintaining the client’s design expectations. I worked on more than 15 balcony projects across New Zealand, ranging from early concept and pricing proposals through detailed coordination and installation, with projects spanning approximately 8 to 200 balcony units and package values from $500,000 to more than $5 million. Technical development involved integrating the system with different structural and façade conditions, coordinating structural, façade and mechanical interfaces, resolving fire, drainage and weathertightness requirements, and balancing standardised system components with project-specific architectural requirements. Working within a vertically integrated design, fabrication and installation environment provided direct insight into how design decisions move through pricing, detailing, manufacturing, transport and on-site delivery. Additionally the ability to refine knowledge incrementally across multiple projects.
Belcanto Branding
I contributed to Belcanto’s recent rebranding and market positioning activities, helping shape strategic inputs and review the brand identity, website, written messaging, brochures, event material and technical collateral. Working with brand strategy (Lion’s Share), copywriting (Folio), graphic design(Urlich Studio) and web specialists (N4), we focused on how Belcanto and its MMC systems were communicated to architects, developers, contractors and other design-led clients. The work reinforced the importance of clear communication when introducing unfamiliar construction systems to a specifier-led market, building confidence in design quality, compliance, delivery benefits and flexibility, while showing architects how standardised systems could be integrated into projects without compromising design intent.
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
CASETT
Co-Founder
2022 - 2026
Leading the design, development and launch of a modular solid-timber kitchen system targeting both specifier and consumer sectors. The range was developed across two pricing tiers, from an entry-level offering through to a premium system, with each contract-manufactured in New Zealand by Lundia and Nomadic Design, both specialists in solid-timber production. Significant investigation was undertaken into local material sourcing and production, particularly the potential to establish a supply chain spanning timber processing through to panel pressing. I have led all aspects of the business, including system design, supply-chain and manufacturing management, sales and marketing, client engagement, project delivery and day-to-day SME operations. A significant part of the venture has involved business-model exploration and market validation, examining how a locally manufactured modular product can meet the expectations, price points and servicing requirements of the New Zealand market.
Key Projects & Involvement
-
Modular system design and product development
-
Laminated Solid Timber Panel development
-
Contract Manufacturing & Supply Chain Development
-
Market validation and business-model exploration
-
Example Projects
Casett System Development
Company: Casett
Type: Commercialisation and Product Development
Location: Auckland
Year: 2022-2023
Role: Designer
Scope: Concept through to Production
Casett System
The Casett system is a modular kitchen system based on a freestanding frame and carcass arrangement, giving the cabinetry a more furniture-like character. Starting from a 600 × 600 mm base module, the system was developed across bench, island and tall-unit configurations to create a suite of approximately 20 to 30 standard unit types. Natural materials were prioritised throughout, particularly solid timber, which involved extensive investigation into suitable species, finishes, products and application methods. Where solid timber was not practical, veneered plywood was incorporated instead, requiring a parallel understanding of veneer sourcing, production and supply chains within New Zealand. Other work carried out was refinement of pricing techniques, internal hardware layouts, appliance integration, along with project management items to improve delivery and installation methodologies. I have found it incredibly interesting understanding multiple aspects of the timber product production industry in NZ and the variety of specialty timbers grown locally here that are not common knowledge or typically used.
Engineered CLT Panels
A key area of product development was the creation of custom three- and five-layer solid-timber CLT panels using New Zealand-grown eucalyptus and radiata pine, developed with manufacturing partners Specialty Timbers, Lundia and Nomadic Design. Timber lamellas were sourced directly from sawmills, then glued and pressed into panel sizes matched to the Casett carcass modules to reduce material waste and downstream processing. Trials explored different lamella thicknesses, widths and core build-ups to optimise performance and production. The use of quarter-sawn boards for the substrate lamellas also gave the finished panels a distinctive grain character and visual quality that became an important part of the system’s aesthetic expression.
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
RENOIR
Strategic AEC Industry Advisor
2026
Renoir (formerly Wiretap) is an early-stage software technology company providing digital visualisation services for architecture, furniture and product design. Following successful early go-to-market activity within the furniture retail and production sectors, I was engaged to explore how the platform could expand into the AEC market, particularly architectural practices and building-system suppliers. My role supported Renoir’s R&D, product development, commercialisation and go-to-market activities utilising strategic industry insight from . This included interviewing early test users, identifying market needs and helping iterate product and service offerings for each respective sector.
Renoir
Project: Te Waharoa | Auckland’s InternationalCruise Terminal
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
MASTER OF COMMERCIALISATION
University of Auckland
2018 - 2019
Postgraduate study focused on the knowledge and skills required to commercialise new products, services, and processes within the science and technology sectors. Core topics included innovation management, market validation and entry strategies, business model development, and intellectual property protection. Run by the University of Auckland, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, this was a two year part-time seminar based course with continual real-world commercialisation projects culminating in a final year capstone project for NZ soft-robotics start-up PowerOn.
Master of Commercialisation
PowerON Soft Robotics Grip
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
PAC STUDIO, MONK MACKENZIE, LAMMAS OVERDYCK
Contract Architect
2016 Pac Studio
2017 Monk Mackenzie
2026 Lammas Overdyck
Project delivery architect lead or support within design-led boutique studios, working across single-house, multi-residential and transport projects. Project involvement was mainly taken from Preliminary or Developed Design through to Building Consent documentation, with direct involvement for client communication and consultant coordination.
Key Projects:
Pac Studio:
-
Yolk House - Client: Private
-
Tower of Power - Client: Private
-
Dilworth Apartments - Client: Private
Monk Mackenzie:
-
Downtown Ferry Ticket Pavilion - Client: Auckland Transport
-
Soto Apartments - Client: Southside
-
Les Mills Victoria St Refurbishment - Client: Les Mills
Lammas Overdyck:
-
Thackeray Apartments - Client: Jones Group
Pac Studio
Select Projects
Monk Mackenzie
Select Projects
Yolk House
Company: Pac Studio
Client: Private Individual
Location: Auckland
Scale: 150m2
Budget: $500,000
Year: 2016
Role: Contract Architect
Scope: Preliminary Design through to Building Consent
Capabilities demonstrated: Detail Design, Documentation, Client liaison
Description: A modern extension to an existing bungalow house for a family of four. I was responsible for full project documentation delivery. Special attention was paid to the exterior raw aluminium cladding and internal yellow floor.
EXPERIENCE CASE STUDIES
JASMAX
Senior Associate
2010 - 2015
Experience working primarily across the commercial and transport sectors, with responsibilities spanning stakeholder engagement and facilitation, architectural design development, and coordination of external consultants. I spent 18 months seconded to the Auckland City Rail Link project office, contributing to one of New Zealand’s most significant infrastructure projects. My time at Jasmax also gave me valuable insight into the structure, systems and day-to-day operation of a large-scale architectural practice within the New Zealand context.
Key Projects:
-
Auckland City Rail Link - Station Network (primarily Britomart Station) - Client: Auckland Transport
-
Ibis Hotel Extension - Client: Auckland Airport
-
Highbrook Pavilions - Goodman
-
Comvita Visitor Centre and Office Development - Client: Comvita
-
Sir Paul Reeves Building - Client: AUT
Jasmax
Projects worked on at Jasmax
Auckland City Rail Link — Waitemata Station (formerly Britomart)
Company: Jasmax
Client: Auckland Transport
Type: Transport
Location: Auckland
Scale: 3000m2+
Year: 2014 - 2015
Role: Architect
Scope: Concept through to Building Consent
Description: An 18-month secondment to the City Rail Link project office as part of the reference design team working across the full CRL network, followed by continued involvement in the enabling works and refurbishment of the historic Chief Post Office at Britomart Station. My primary role focused on the main concourse and historic banking floor design from Concept Stage through to Detailed Design documentation, including consultation with Auckland Transport and the Historic Places Trust, now Heritage New Zealand, to determine appropriate interventions within the Category 1 heritage building while accommodating mass-transit passenger requirements and extensive tunnelling works.
AUT Sir Paul Reeves Building
Company: Jasmax
Client: AUT University
Type: Education
Location: Auckland
Scale: 20000m2
Year: 2010-2011
Role: Architectural Graduate
Scope: Concept through to Building Consent
Description: A tertiary education development at AUT’s City Campus, combining teaching, study, research, hospitality and student support spaces around a large multi-storey atrium. A teaching podium and 10-storey tower connect with existing campus buildings while opening new pedestrian routes and public spaces across the steep inner-city site. I assisted a senior Architect to work through the external facade design of the building along with personally designing two feature interior ceiling and exterior tripod elements.
