How did you choose these five projects as your favourites?

Although I have photographed a wide range of commercial and residential projects of varying scale, my favourite projects to capture lately are the more intimate spaces of the private home. Each of these projects have been beautifully detailed and crafted, with thoughtful use of natural materials, bringing warmth and life to their interior spaces.

My architectural photography practise is all about capturing the essence of each unique space, how sunlight dances through windows, what it feels like to move through each interior space or to pause in those moments of in-between.

1. Metal Jacket House. The combination of glossy black pre-finished metal panels, exposed glulam portal structure and white-washed plywood linings, give this innovative beach house designed by Jigsaw Architects a truly unique feeling. Attention to detail has been gifted to each of the junctions between both structural and non-structural elements throughout the design of this home.

2. Skyview House. Through considered use of scale, careful material selection and a strong connection between interior and exterior spaces, Stufkens and Chambers Architects have successfully given this large, Modernist-style home the feeling of a luxury tropical resort. The immaculate expression of this architectural ideation was brought to life through Shaw Builders’ craftsmanship and acute attention to detail.

3. House on a Hill. Another house by Stufkens and Chambers Architects, photographing this project was a delight to the senses. With its scoria-red exterior cladding and natural timber interior, each space feels warm and inviting. This unique family home cleverly responds to its narrow sloping site, nestling into a bank on one side and seemingly floating within established trees on the other. Totara Construction were dedicated to bringing this project to life.

4. Te Puna House. This large country home by Mod Architecture provides a variety of spaces to relax in throughout the seasons. High ceilings and toplight windows give the open plan living area a light, airy, spacious feel in contrast to the separate lounge which provides a more intimate and luxurious space for relaxing. The interior design of this home by Terry Walsh evokes a sense of effortless elegance, combining rustic charm with contemporary sophistication.

5. Pōhutukawa House. Designed by Stufkens and Chambers Architects, this home is very respectful of its site and surroundings, with colours and textures that reflect the seasonal changes of the site’s landmark pōhutukawa. Windows are located to frame the views of Tauranga Harbour, accentuating the relationship between land and sea.

From the outset, before you are even commissioned to do a shoot, what is it you set out to achieve with your photography work?

For me this is not just another gig, this is my form of art. I have always been fascinated by the way light moves and shifts throughout a space and how it changes when it hits different objects and surfaces. For this reason, my preference is to shoot full day architecture photoshoots, so that I can experience each space, as the light shifts around the site.

How do you approach to capturing a space? What’s your process?

In the lead up to a photoshoot I ask the project architect for concept plans, renders and a short design statement — if they have one already. This allows me to arrive on site with a basic timeline for the photoshoot, as well as having some hero shots in mind. However, quite often when I’m photographing a family home, it is more important to work around the homeowners daily life and routines, rather than a set plan. I shoot a variety of frames, from wide angle landscapes, to close up portrait and detail shots.

Are there any styles of architecture or types of projects that you are particularly drawn to?

I have a huge respect for the traditional timber design and detailing in Japan, but I would also love to explore their modern architecture through my camera lens. I have always been impressed with Japanese architects’ approach to small inner city sites which would be on my bucket list also. There are a number of countries that are still on my architectural travel bucket list but right at the top is Japan.

www.roseminneephotography.com