Bushy Park Interpretive Centre

Bushy Park Tarapuruhi is a stately heritage home surrounded by acres of protected native bush. To support its educational role, this Interpretive Centre came into being. The Centre was designed to tell the stories of the land, the history and the flora and fauna in an interactive way to support both school groups and adult visitors, while providing some basic facilities to support volunteers. The bright, warm colours reference the wealth of vibrancy present in our New Zealand bush, from orange Karaka berries to yellow Hihi (Stitchbirds), the darlings of Tarapuruhi, to the rich green of Kawakawa, featured as the logo.

Ridgway Chambers, Whanganui

Once Stevenson’s Store, Ridgway Chambers is the oldest building in Whanganui’s old town dating from 1870, and had been derelict for some twelve years. Large parts of the original building have been retained in this conversion providing gallery space downstairs and three apartments upstairs. It was a pleasure to reinstate heritage façade decoration and to bring the energy of residential use back into the city centre. Three apartments, each under 50m/2, provide customised residences for young professionals including lofts for hobby or additional bedroom use.

Iona’s new home

site hiresThis is me on the banks of our mighty Awa on our cleared site. And here is a pencil perspective of what she’ll look like as part of the new tinyhouse. More about the boat itself in another post – for this one, just know she’ll be on her side, with what is now the deck facing out towards the river. There’ll be a new extension out there, mostly in the shape of the boat, and that’ll have a boat-shaped front face with beautiful timber joinery, all the better to take in the view. You’ll be able to sit in the huge open doorway, watching the river roll by, in absolute peace. Currently we’re waiting for the construction prices to come in – amazingly I had a call from a quantity surveyor who realised that he’d once worked on the boat, years ago in Otago while a member of the Merchant Navy!  I’ve had several calls like this, which I’ll tell you about – I love that the Iona is already part of Aotearoa’s history, she already has many stories to tell – and the building will be a mix of old and new materials too, continuing that history but adding to it, making a new story.Perspec from backfinal crop

Regional Plunket Hub, Whanganui/Manawatu

Plunket needed a welcoming, homely facility to host groups, facilitate interaction between new parents and provide clinical services. We undertook this fitout of an existing building for them, reorganising the spaces to better suit their needs and ensuring the building was warm and modern. The relatively neutral fitout is enhanced by bright hexagonal carpet squares emphasising Plunket’s logo colours – and they’ve proven to be a magnet to small children! The space is now bright, colourful and presents a relaxing, enticing space for new mothers to safely allow their babies to play while chatting to others or to take part in classes, playgroups or nurse appointments. A radical change from the old, drafty facility – and playgroups are now at maximum capacity!

Library Reinvigoration, Whanganui


When we were commissioned to provide a new, fresh colour palette for Whanganui’s public library, we worked with the colours of the Kereru, native pigeon – and created a brave impressionistic design which swirled from blues and greys to pinks and turquoises, and back again across the 400m/2 open floorspace, using Inzide’s commercial carpet range. The tired ceiling skylight panels were reinvigorated with bright colours, as were the walls. A fast track project that we project managed successfully as a round-the-clock operation with local contractors to enable the library to reopen after only 14 days’ closure.

Villa rework in Auckland Central

The new kitchen with high gloss cabinetry and Cole & Son wallpaper behind the stove.

The new kitchen with high gloss cabinetry and Cole & Son wallpaper behind the stove.

Client's own dining table by Harvey Designs circa 1974, formica bench with rimu clashing works well with the villa setting.

Client’s own dining table by Harvey Designs circa 1974, formica bench with rimu clashing works well with the villa setting.


In order to insert a cavity slider in the hall for warmth and noise reduction, we faked a repeat of the colonial overhead detail and our new door could slide across.

In order to insert a cavity slider in the hall for warmth and noise reduction, we faked a repeat of the colonial overhead detail and our new door could slide across.

New tiled bathroom with our trademark double opal globes on textile lighting cable.

New tiled bathroom with our trademark double opal globes on textile lighting cable.


Drawingroom [017]

Drawingroom [018]

Suffering from a bad renovation, our client wanted light and warmth, as well as a breath of fresh air, into her home, while complementing the colonial style. We reorganised the rooms to allow a large living area to the rear, including creating a new bathroom and kitchen, while adding colour and skylighting to the home. The wallpaper in the kitchen is Cole & co Mimosa. Photos by Yuki Sato Photography.

Detailed Residential Extension in Kelburn

Detailed residential extension in Kelburn, Wellington. Added new conservatory living spaces, kitchen and bathroom to once dark, constrained villa, utilising existing heavily retained rear courtyard.

Conversion of Twin Flats

Conversion of twin flats to single home, Wellington. Insertion of new, light-filled staircase and upgraded lower floor to 1960’s house. Incredible transformation.

Sarjeant Gallery

Managed fitout of new premises for the iconic Sarjeant Gallery and Collection. Includes retail shop, education, workshop, staff and catering facilities as well as exhibition spaces and collection store.

Proposal for Large-Scale Renovation

Proposal for large-scale renovation of 1960’s ‘state’ house, Ohakune, adding 100m/2 of new area at ground floor and new first floor level and outdoor living areas.