| 61 T T Virginia Wright ‘Down to earth’ design works well The Oceanbeach Townhouses project was a finalists in the 2023 NZ Timber Design Awards. Photo: Amanada Aitken Photography JMAC Architecture: Oceanbeach Townhouses ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN JMAC Architecture was established by Jason Macdonald in 2009 using an acronym of his own name as a simple means of setting up a strong association between himself and the business. JMAC is a small, intimate studio currently focusing on residential architectural houses located in Mount Maunganui, a place repeatedly voted as one on New Zealand’s top beaches. Having moved there in the 1990’s Jason’s personal experience of it as a great coastal environment to live, work and play in, shines through his designs, along with his understanding of the importance that buildings should respond to their local environment and community . As Jason puts it “we’re down to earth, friendly, relatable locals who are connected to our local environment and embrace coastal living and a balanced lifestyle.” With his experience in architectural design (Jason is a professional member of Architectural Designers New Zealand, ADNZ), and having worked as a General Manager for a couple of land development companies, Jason enjoyed establishing his own company where he could install his own business values and design inspirations while being master of his own destiny. He’s never looked back. “Our philosophy is about being aware and trying to deliver ‘good’ architecture, which is a combination of simple forms, good aesthetics and functional buildings that enhance the lives of the people living in them. “We want our designs to be purposeful and have a sense of visually strong architecture,” says Jason. With the combination of a user- friendly climate and access to beautiful beaches the drawcard for many of Jason’s clients, paying attention to how the inside of a dwelling connects to the outside and the lifestyle it offers is central to much of JMAC’s work. “With much of our client base here on the coast we’re always trying to make our homes almost feel like a holiday home rather than a permanent residence,” says Jason. Their reputation as a local designer has grown steadily over the 15 or so years since the business began, supported by the growing number of award-winning houses scattered around the Mount. Their multi award winning Oceanbeach Townhouses project was recently made finalists in the 2023 NZ Timber Design Awards. Jason describes the project as ‘an exploration in a genre of building scale that is a direct response to redefining the expectations of Medium Density Housing.’ Their place as a finalist was secured by the careful considered use of timbers both structurally and aesthetically for the townhouses. Feature timber screens give texture and visual relief, and ‘soften’ the appearance of the building scale. “ The visual intrigue of wooden slats provide playful changes in shadows and deliver not only a home for its occupants, but a sculpture to be enjoyed by the public realm,’ says Jason Not far away another of their houses has just won a National ADNZ Architectural Award. The clients wanted a home with clean lines and a mid-century vibe, and JMAC enjoyed the challenge of designing their trademark indoor-outdoor connectivity to make the most of coastal living with plenty of sunshine. Called “Stones Throw” by virtue of being a stone’s throw from practically everything Mount Maunganui has to offer, from the bustling main street to the beach. While both of these projects were over 300 square metre new builds, JMAC are all about achieving their clients’ goals regardless of how deep their pockets might be. “They’re there to bring design aspects into homes while being realistic about what a budget can achieve, and they’re always ready to put their 20 plus years of experience to work to make that happen. Your Planning and Resource Management Solutions start here www.mpad.co.nz • 07 220 9812 or 027 432 5154 Proud to work with JMAC Architecture Proudly Supporting JMAC Architecture CHS Engineers Ltd cover a wide range and scale of services in the residential, industrial and commercial sectors – from small home alterations to large scale developments. We will work closely with you from the conceptual design stage right through to construction, offering expert advice and support. We pride ourselves on offering professional services of the highest standard – ensuring not only premium quality designs, but strong, long lasting relationships with our clients. Ph (07) 578 4071 | Email info@chsengineers.co.nz
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