76 | ARCHITECTURE Sunday Architects: Roseman Whare VDM Architects John Love Director 0274974747 john@loveconstruction.co.nz construction QUA L I T Y CR A F TMANSH I P I N BU I LD I NG & R ENOVAT I NG KGW CONSULTING ENGINEERS STRUCTURAL DESIGN FROM RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL, INDUSTRIAL TO EARTHQUAKE Projects throughout the North Island M 027 202 5575 E admin@kgwengineers.co.nz www.kgwengineers.co.nz Whare proves a point The 127sqm shows how thoughtful design can transform a challenging suburban site into a highly personalised family home. Photo: Mark Smith. T T Kelly Deeks Collaboration the key T T Sue Russell Sunday Architects’ Roseman Whare was a winner in the Housing Architecture category of the 2026 New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Architecture Awards, earning national recognition and highlighting the studio’s belief that excellent architecture should be achievable regardless of budget or site constraints. Located in Puketāpapa, the 127sqm home was designed by Sunday Architects designer Wade Southgate and has become a showcase of how thoughtful design can transform a challenging suburban site into a highly personalised family home. The project is particularly significant for Wade, who designed the house for himself and wife Stefanie Brett after the couple purchased the property with his sister and her partner. Following the renovation of an existing state house on the site, the section was subdivided, allowing Wade and Stefanie to create a new home while maintaining close family connections. “This was an exploration of what affordable architecture could look like,” Wade says. “We wanted something architecturally striking, but it also had to be simple because we knew we would be involved in building it ourselves.” Steven and Francesca van der Meer are directors of boutique architecture studio, VDM Architects, based in Tairua, on the Coromandel Peninsula. Each brings years of experience to the table, with Steven primarily focusing on the residential sector, while Francesca also has residential experience alongside a background in education work, with a particular emphasis on interior design. VDM offers clients the full suite of architectural services. “We develop full house designs, including designing the entire house inside, all the cabinetry and all the material finishes,” Stephen says. “Operating where we do, we’ve been involved in some really wonderful projects, tucked away in inspiring locations.” The goal always is for a home to feel cohesive internally and externally and, given where VDM Architects is situated, often the work can be about redesigning existing beach dwellings, or building a new home on a much-loved family site. “We do have a large proportion of clients in this region who are choosing to relocate and may be near, if not already retired. They’re often wanting a permanent home that will have the space for family and friends to stay,” Francesca says. The ratio of renovations/extensions to new builds sits at about 60:40 and the focus is very much on maximising potential. Conversations often begin with a thorough investigation to determine what the best course of action may be for any given site, particularly when there’s an existing dwelling. “We sit down and work with our clients through the pros and cons. We offer a bit of a feasibility study really, giving them options, very much briefed to the site and the budget.” Carrying rich experiences gained working not only here but in Melbourne and London, the couple says their studio and the nature of projects they take on provide plenty of scope for their professional skills to shine. “We enjoy nothing more than providing our clients with a bespoke architectural outcome, tailor-made for their unique situation. “We find it very rewarding to work through all the design refinements to come up with the perfect solution, given their wants and needs,” says Steven. Working from an understanding that every site is unique, full of potential and often challenges, with factors such as land stability coming into play, Steven and Francesca both agree those early conversations to really gain a thorough understanding of the client’s situation are vital. “It’s about knowing how the house will be used. Are there children, will there often be visitors, what already exists on the site, these all factor into informing the beginning of the design.” VDM Architects’ services are divided into key areas: developing a schematic design from a very collaborative process, and understanding just how much clients want to be involved. From this engagement, preliminary concepts arise and a process of steering the design toward what the client likes begins. “We then go through a series of meetings to really hone all aspects of the home. This takes as long as it will, though by this stage there’s an agreed sense as to direction,” says Francesca. Finally, the couple produce all the construction documentation through various reports and consenting pathways. Both agree they have enjoyed working with many excellent builders, who have lived and worked in the Coromandel for decades. And although project numbers have eased somewhat this year due to broader global factors, there remains a strong pipeline of work ahead. “We’ve actually been very busy with enquiries coming through as spring gets closer.” Having first met when they were studying architecture at Victoria University and now well and truly settled in a rather special part of New Zealand with their children, Francesca and Steven feel privileged to work on very engaging projects for great clients, many of whom they’ve known for some time. “We see the value in good architecture and it is our responsibility to design houses that are resilient. For me, what we do is a privilege,” Francesca says. The two-storey home contains three bedrooms, a study, and open plan living spaces. Despite its modest footprint, careful planning has maximised every square metre. A sunken courtyard extends the living area outdoors while creating privacy from neighbouring developments, and large sliding doors help blur the line between interior and exterior spaces. All bedrooms face north, capturing natural light and creating strong connections to future landscaping and green space beyond the site. “Uplifting architecture should be achievable for everyone,” Wade says. “If you have an unlimited budget and a beautiful location, you should get a great result. The real challenge is creating something special when the budget is tight and the site isn’t extraordinary.” A defining feature of Roseman Whare is its use of colour. Behind a restrained black Colorsteel exterior, each room introduces carefully selected tones of green, pink, orange and earthy hues that bring warmth and individuality to the interior. Stefanie played a significant role in shaping the colour palette, creating a home that balances mid-century influences with Japanese inspired simplicity. Recycled materials, painted plywood finishes, and carefully selected tiles add character while maintaining affordability.
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