70 | New name, same values In 2025, VOID was a winner in the residential category of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Institute of Architects awards. ARCHITECTURE VOID Sue Russell After serving its community for 25 years, delivering inspirational architecture across residential, civic/community and commercial design, Jackson Architects is being reborn as VOID, with the name change having taken place at the end of 2025. Director and senior architect, Scott Ferguson, says the name sits comfortably with him. Having taken over the practice in 2021, he feels now is a fitting time to rebrand, though he stresses the change in name doesn’t impact the underpinning values of the studio. “We’ve always been about carrying a passion for our work and upholding longstanding traditions of creativity, innovation and professional excellence,” says Scott. “We’re a small practice with a strong collaborative bent, and we enjoy nothing more than seeing the visions and aspirations of our clients fulfilled in the designs we create.” And Scott says the business is very much a general architectural practice, meaning it works across most sectors, including in the renovation space. Thriving on challenges, including reconciling budget constraints to design vision is something Scott and the team enjoy working through. “We know that having open and honest communication with clients helps create a brief that is satisfying for everyone. Often, one projects leads to a much longer-term relationship, and those are the moments, as professionals, that we really enjoy and value.” In 2025, VOID received recognition (under the name Jackson Architects) from the profession in being announced a winner in the residential category of the Waikato/Bay of Plenty Institute of Architects awards. The home, located at Lake Ōkāreka, Rotorua, sits on a peninsula, so full use was made of this situation by designing a stunning home with an east-west orientation, to take in the views. The brief sought a modern residence inspired by the mid-century principles of Richard Neutra and Frank Lloyd Wright, particularly their 1950s’ Californian vernacular, with an emphasis on clean lines, strong landscape connection, and integrated indoor-outdoor living. This is expressed through a linear, grounded horizontal form that appealed strongly to the owners and sits naturally within its setting. Generous overhangs, floor-to-ceiling glazing, and a restrained palette of cedar cladding and natural stone frame expansive lake and mountain views, while supporting passive solar performance and ventilation. The 426sqm home’s transparency and environmental responsiveness position it as a contemporary expression of organic architecture, contributing to Aotearoa’s architectural discourse through a synthesis of modernist ideals, sustainability, and sense of place. “The owner was a longstanding client of ours and it was an absolute pleasure to commission this design that sits so comfortably on its site,” says Scott. Scott’s interest in design and form dates back to his school days when, as he recalls, he approached his high school art teacher about subject choices for the fifth form. He was encouraged to take art, and says this gave him the opportunity to begin to understand the power of design, something he carried through to attaining a degree at Unitec. “It took me about seven years after graduating in 2008 to fulfil all the professional requirements to become a registered architect.” Starting design conversations with his residential clients, Scott says the best way is always to visit their existing home to gain a sense of how they live – what is and what is not important to them. “Once I’ve done this I’ll visit the new site and begin to work up basic design parameters to present as concepts. Some clients are like a blank canvas, just waiting to see what comes from our discussions. Then the really engaging interesting parts begin as we hone in on all the design elements and overall layout. It’s a very creative process.” So with a new name to celebrate his fifth year leading the team, which includes senior architectural designer Logan Brown, architectural graduate George Tamati, junior architectural technician Jed Brown, and accounts manager, his wife Jenna Ferguson, Scott says he is looking forward to another productive year, with a number of projects in the planning stage. Have complete financial confidence in your new build call 027 471 3421 haymanqs.co.nz RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL RURAL • RENOVATIONS READY TO BUILD? E New style homes Q New_style_homes by nick childs P: 06 765 8322 027 34 94 954 office@newstylehomes.net W: www.newstylehomes.net 191 Broadway Stratford 4332, Taranaki Welcome to New Style Homes by Nick Childs Builders - one of the most respected home and commercial builders in Taranaki. Each building by New Style Homes showcases the highest standard of quality and workmanship. With an emphasis on flexibility, value for money and out of this world quality, it’s no wonder our clients keep coming back and are happy to recommend us to their families and friends.
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