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Piha Cafe

Piha Cafe By Graham Hepburn

A combination of traditional looks and new technology means the Piha Café sits comfortably within its seaside environment and, more importantly, will be kind to it.
The wooden homestead-like structure of the café has been designed so that the timber will...

Preserving History

Anyone visiting Devonport will be aware of the location of this highly visible landmark; The historic ST Francis De Sales Church building which was originally designed by Edward Mahoney and built in 1918, replacing the earlier church on the site. In 2008-2009 Phillip Hartley from Salmond Reed...

In Pursuit Of Design Excellence

Having published several projects designed by Davor Mikulcic from studio MWA Ltd. in Wellington, two primary factors seemed to be consistent. The first was the excellence in design and the second was that  is clients were not just happy with the results but they had established a lasting...

Setting The Style

When you combine the creative forces of a renowned film making duo and an architectural designer with a wellrespected reputation for high-end quality, the results can be spectacular.

The creative synergy between this trio has come together in the form of working environment and home for...

Building A Landmark

The residential building industry has seen some tough times over recent years with many home owners and suppliers being left in a dilemma. It is within this climate of uncertainty that Landmark Homes have  been able to build a reputation for stability, trust, value and excellence in the mid to...

Greenville House On Denerau Island

Paula and Ross Greenville operated a very successful boutique accommodation facility adjacent to the golf course in Mount Maunganui for a number of years. This luxury accommodation catered for overseas visitors who were particularly interested in golf.
In 2004 a change in lifestyle was in...

Northland Cricket Spire Pavilion Whangarei

By Graham Hepburn


When Northland Cricket relocated to a new home ground five years ago, it paid tribute to the game’s past with the design of its headquarters but had a firm eye on the future.

The move to a new ground was spurred by a review of the district plan by...

NZ Post Auckland Mail Centre

By Graham Hepburn

Changes to the way people are using the postal service were part of the reason NZ Post undertook a review of its operations.
The advent of email, the rise in internet shopping and the growth of courier services have radically altered the landscape.
Coupled with...

The Enchanting Villa

By Graham Hepburn
Computer aided design is a wonderful tool when it comes to building your dream home.
That’s what Tony and Jackie Krzyzewski found when they began playing around with ideas for the home they wanted to build on a section they bought in Whitford about three...

A Tribute To Australian Design Excellence

Steve Cooper, Gerard Roof distributor in Queensland,
was ecstatic to learn that Mali Mali Private Villa, designed by internationally acclaimed and multi award winning architectural designer Chris Vandyke, was awarded” Australia’s Best House,” by the Australian Master Builders Association...

A Work Of Art

Architect Davor Mikulcic showcases a recent project which illustrates the results that can be achieved by time, hard work and an inspired creative design team.

The Pendrous home is situated in the Seagrove subdivision which is a typical Wellington site of just over 500 square meters....

Building A Legend

To give the school, Te Kura O Waikaremoana, an individuality locals could identify with, Gary Pidd, Architect, looked to the lake and the Maori legend of Maahu and his daughter Haumapuhia. Maahu was outraged when he thought his daughter, Haumapuhia, had used the sacred water from the Waikotikoti...

Country Style

When Christy and Steve Harvey set about designing their new home they had a collective advantage. Christy’s design flare combined with the benefits of Steve’s “know how”, as a qualified builder, ensured the success of the project. As a builder Steve is very aware that some things on the drawing...

Experience Makes A Difference

Having owned and operated a motel in Tauranga CBD for several years in the past Trevor Jones is the first to admit, “Nothing teaches you the needs of designing a motel better than operating your own.” This experience has paid dividends for Trevor Jones who has now designed over 30 motel...

Finding Solutions

Brian and Sonia Dawes are delighted with their new Auckland residence but the consent process gave them, and Architectural Designer Mark Brown, a few anxious moments.

The site had an existing 1950’s bungalow which bordered Cornwell park, Auckland, which is designated as a heritage...

Hokitka Town Entrance Brought To Life

The recently constructed Westland Farm Centre, located at the entrance to Hokitika township, is a great example of the use of standard cladding as a design feature for this prominent site.  Here you can see how its creative use for the façade forms part of the architectural design footprint. ...

Making A Difference

When Cliff & Nora Schreiber planned a working holiday overseas they decided to rent their home. Sadly, on their return, what was a simple, but very tidy, home was suffering from neglect. There had been no maintenance done during their absence and they now had a rusting roof, broken and...

Perry Arena, Dey Street, Hamilton.


By Graham Hepburn

When Waikato Tennis decided to build an international-standard indoor tennis centre, it soon became apparent an ‘off the shelf’ building was not going to work.
After rejecting a shed-like proposal from a design and build company that came in over budget,...

Solutions Architecture

Solutions is an appropriate name for the architectural practice, lead by architectural designer Mark Brown, who created this multi functional home designed to accommodate the needs of an extended family and provide generous, but separate, entertaining facilities on a grand scale.

Mark...

Sun, Sand And Sea

When the Schofield’s purchased the property their vision was to modernise the building that begun it’s life as two units that were later converted into one home. The brief to Bill Dodds, architect, was to create a home which would take full advantage of the location, provide spacious...

The Circle Of Life

Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Te Ara Hou. Napier

By Graham Hepburn


Napier architect Gary Pidd had done a lot of work for schools over the years but had never designed one from scratch. So when he was asked to design a new home for a Maori language...

The Dart Winegrowers Of Ara Marlborough

By Graham Hepburn

When Winegrowers of Ara commissioned an operations centre for its vineyard, they wanted to make a statement.
As well as making a visual statement with the building, they wanted to make a statement of intent about their commitment to making high quality...

The Flight Of The Bird

By Graham Hepburn

When Johann Bernhardt was seeking inspiration for a sustainable home he was designing on the slopes of the Hunua Ranges, he didn’t have to look far.
“The clients took me to the section and I was looking down at the plains going out to the Manukau Harbour...

The Salmon Tale

By Graham Hepburn.

When Nigel Lamb was commissioned to design a building for a salmon-based tourism venture in Rakaia, he struck upon the idea of a large steel fish.
Not only would it be an eye-catching feature of the Mid Canterbury town, but it also referenced a local...

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