Andrew Mitchell is a director at Patterson Associates and heads the civic and commercial team at its Auckland studio. Originally from Christchurch, he practiced there before moving to the United Kingdom where he worked on both public and mixed-use projects. Since returning to New Zealand, Andrew has led projects such as the Len Lye Centre, Geyser Building, Christchurch Botanical Gardens Visitors Centre and the Ravenscar House Museum. Patterson Associates won the Interior Awards Supreme Award in 2013 for the New Zealand Guest of Honour Pavilion — Frankfurt Book Fair and the Retail Award for Aesop Newmarket in 2017.

What’s one of your favourite interior spaces, either here in Aotearoa or overseas, that’s inspired you or your design thinking?

Therme Vals in Vals, Switzerland by Peter Zumthor (1990–96). My memory of this interior is profound. The building is a triumph of the designers intended purpose — a spa retreat of exquisite taste and beauty — a multi-layered experience that pulls on all your senses. This is an interior celebrating the singularity of a material: walls clad in precision-cut stacked local quartzite, which cleverly defines space. You are encouraged to explore the labyrinth, finding hidden bathing pools hidden in deep crevasses. One of these is the sauna, which is definitely not your predictable cedar sweatbox. It is a series of sequential black concrete chambers, each lit by a deep-set single ceiling lamp. The chambers are subdivided via deep walls and narrow openings, complete with very wet black PVC curtains. For the brave, the farthest chamber has all the action. Blinded by steam, you feel your way around the tiny space, hoping not to bump into someone along the way…

If you could design an interior project for anyone, who would it be and why?

We live in a modernist ’50s home. My daughter desperately wants to renovate her room, which we would love to do with her — something in the spirit of the home. Deep down, we know she needs to design this by herself, whatever the outcome!

What key piece of advice would you give to those thinking of entering the awards?

I am fascinated by the authenticity of the built outcome: was there a reference project, a poetic concept, or an object, that inspired you and how was that followed through. I think it is important to touch on the key requirements of the client, your concept, the budget and other project challenges. Please include a plan!