Did you want to be an architect when you were growing up? 

I didn’t grow up with architecture, I didn’t even know what it was. I grew up in the country with utilitarian farm buildings. If anything, I wanted to be an engineer. It was only recently that I realised I truly wanted to be an architect when I went to Le Corbusier’s Ronchamp Chapel and witnessed the most amazing spatial experience - I was traveling alone, and had the grounds mainly to myself for the day. Luckily I’d already been working as an architectural graduate for a couple of years at that stage.

Can you describe your architecture career thus far?
My first job out of university was at ArchOffice, where I had the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects, a few houses but mainly civic work, anywhere from public toilets to libraries. About a year and a half ago I shifted to Malcolm Walker’s office, where I can concentrate more on residential work, which is what I really enjoy. My idea of good architecture has changed over the last few years - I’d like to think I’m becoming a budding humanist - less interested in style, and more interested in the experience of space.

What area of architecture interests you the most?
What interests me the most is the potential of architecture. It creates the physical world which we inhabit - it’s a kind of built philosophy. I enjoy houses the most, as they’re a microcosm of how we live. You’ve got very specific spatial requirements which allow you to set up the relationships between the occupants, visitors, and the wider context of the site. They’re really spatially complex - done well of course.

Do you have a favourite New Zealand house?
I have a revolving cast of favourites. One of the mainstays of the last few years has been Andrew Paterson’s Summer St house in Auckland. It’s an ideas house that’s been executed superbly. It’s not an easy house - I think I tend to like things that are a bit difficult (my wife would probably say this suits my personality).

If you could choose to design a house anywhere in New Zealand, where would it be?
Sites are really important, but in the end architecture needs more than sea views - it needs good clients, a good brief and a good idea. You can design something interesting on most sites. But then, I’ve just designed a house for myself on a flat suburban site, so maybe I’m trying to convince myself of this. In saying all of that though, there’s a spot near Sandy Bay up north where I’d love to design a house.