102 | ARCHITECTURE Studio Fox Architects: Yeoman Place T T Virginia Wright Designing homes to enhance lifestyles “We like designing homes that enhance the lifestyle of the people who are going to live in them, and designing and building for longevity and sustainability as well.” When Ron Fox set up his own company, Studio Fox Architects Ltd, in 2021 it was the natural progression on a path that began when he went to work for Swan Railley Architects after graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture back in 2002. By 2010, he and two other architects had become its three directors. By the time Covid had been and gone, one was ready to retire, the other was looking for a position outside of the company, and Ron went on to establish Studio Fox – providing continuity for their clients, finishing off their projects and enjoying finding his own path as he took full responsibility for the designs. Clients still include the high-end residential projects that were a big part of Swan Railley, as well as commercial and multi-residential work: how much of each varies as the economy comes and goes, says Ron. “It’s been diverse and has changed quite dramatically. “Currently, the apartment side of building has quietened off, and we’re looking after our high-end residential and occasional commercial clients while the market for apartment living picks back up.” Not just any apartment living, but primarily high-end luxury apartments, such as the award-winning 28 Ocean Point units on Orewa Beach, or the Point Ridge gated community in Albany, with a mix of terrace houses and apartments complete with amenities including swimming pools, spas, games rooms and gyms for communal use. “It’s a whole mix of two-, three-, and four-bedroom living, which I was involved with over 17 years,” says Ron. Another is the Whisper Cove development in Snells Beach. The houses were designed by a Canadian architect, then documented and built by Swan Railley and Kalmar Construction, with a mix of schist and timber cladding, steeply pitched roofs and large decks bringing a different flavour to New Zealand’s typical beachfront design. Whatever they do, Ron and his staff at Studio Fox Architects look to find a way to enhance New Zealand’s building stock with careful consideration of how people live in the spaces they call home, whether it’s a multi-residential apartment of whatever spec, or a T: 021 2999 264 E: david@dtsbui lders.co.nz www.dtsbui lders.co.nz Qualified builders delivering exceptional quality Archi tectural renovat ions and new bui lds Reclads and extens ions Hardscape and landscaping Proudly servicing Auckland
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