| 71 Evoke Design T T Sue Russell Client engagement key Functional, buildable and beautiful – Evoke design focuses on bespoke, high-end homes. Photo: In House – Real Estate Photography. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Central Hamilton-based boutique studio, Evoke Architectural Designers, provides clients with an innovative and collaborative approach, delivering creative, bespoke, and functional design solutions. Evoke Architectural Designers is a team of two enthusiastic designers with big ideas. The ethos of the duo is to not only design beautiful homes but do so from a functional and buildable point of view. The two-person team, consisting of design manager Carl Hemmingson and architectural designer Aimee Van Der Hoeven, believe that their clients benefit from working with a small team. Clients have direct interaction with the Designer responsible for designing and drawing their project, rather than navigating a large team where multiple people might be involved. This ensures a smoother and more personal process. “The bulk of our work is residential. Aimee has been with us for two years now, and there’s a high level of collaboration between the both of us and our clients at the initial stages of projects as the design takes shape. Once we move into consent drawings, the process becomes more individually driven,” Carl explains “I believe one of our strengths is our initial client engagement. We take the time to understand and get to know our clients through an informal meeting, discussing their vision and budget for the project. After these conversations, clients complete our design brief, which helps shape possibilities that align with their desires and financial constraints,” says Aimee. Like many of us in the construction sector, we’ve noticed a slight decrease in demand for architectural design services. While the business landscape is quieter, Carl and Aimee highlight that, as a small studio, “we’ve managed to keep our selves busy thanks to strong, long-standing relationships with our core clients, including builders and developers.” In addition to Residential Design Services, Evoke specialise in urban planning and architecture, frequently working with developers on bulk, location, and scheme planning, as well as assisting with developing design guidelines. “We collaborate with developers on ideas, schemes, and guidelines to shape the overall look and feel of the development, ensuring the design principles reflect the development’s qualities and the developers vision,” says Aimee. As a bespoke architectural practice, Evoke aligns with like-minded developers in unique locations, such as Waihi Beach. Evoke Design has just entered a Mt Maunganui home they designed in the ADNZ Design Awards this year – and last year, were one of just three Waikato architectural practices that received gongs from judges. In 2023, Carl won the Regional – Highly Commended award for a new home between 150m2 and 300m2 in River Road, Hamilton. “It was designed to reflect the unique shape of its site, maximising north-facing outdoor living area as the focal point.” A great deal of care in the design was put into room placement to deliver two benefits; reduce noise and maximise privacy. Visual appeal was added by concealing low-pitched roofs with cedar and Hinuera stone parapets. Both Carl and Aimee studied architectural technology at Hamilton’s WINTEC, however a decade apart. When Aimee completed her diploma she was as an adult student. “I was already a Spatial & Interior Designer working in an Architectural Practice when I decided to move toward Architectural Design in full capacity,” Aimee says. One of the reasons, she says, for moving forward into Architectural Design was to expand her knowledge for more of a ‘big picture’ of the full design process but to also carry a deeper understanding into the technical side to design & construction. Almost a decade on, Aimee is a well-rounded designer with a holistic understanding for design right from Concept right through to Detailed Design & Construction. “I love the fact that it’s a profession offering so much variety. Everyday there is something different to consider and be challenged by,” says Aimee. And because so much of their time is focussed on high-end bespoke projects, the very real benefit flows of getting to know their clients really well. ‘’Its an incredibly humbling experience when we get to walk into a finished home that we have designed. Seeing our clients live and grow in the space, and enjoy the vision we have helped them bring to life is extremely rewarding and is certainly one of the best parts of the Job.’’ “We take the time to understand and get to know our clients through an informal meeting, discussing their vision and budget for the project.” HOMES COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT www.rpsbuild.co.nz Proudly supported by Kitchens Bathrooms Interiors Bespoke Cabinetry Design New Builds and Renovations 0275 395 332 paulawaterhousedesign.com paulawaterhouse@xtra.co.nz + Award winning Master Builders + Full Renovation/ Alteration Design + Build Service + Personalised Design + Build Packages + Custom Turn-key/ Full Contract Packages Attention to detail, reliability, and experience P 021 577 082 E info@fvdab.co.nz W www.fvbui ld.co.nz
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