78 | Notch Architecture ARCHITECTURE We help Kiwis create extraordinary homes and stand-out projects. Proudly Supporting Notch Architecture +64 22 517 6628 sales@brickandco.co.nz brickandco.co.nz www.fmibi.com | 09 574 2900 High Performance window & door systems designed, tested, & manufactured locally in New Zealand by our network of 50 expert fabricators. Whether you're a developer, builders, home owner or architect, we'll help you deliver excellence. Design Studio Architects GOOD DESIGN CHANGES EVERYTHING Design Studio Architects REMEDIATION NEW BUILDS ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNS RENOVATIONS SUSTAINABILITY LUXURY HOUSES DSA.CO.NZ Property Development Appraisals & Feasability Advice Preparation of Resource Consent/ Subdivision applications Project Consultation & Management Improving the process T T Virginia Wright While born and raised in Whakatāne, Jeremy Gray of Auckland-based Notch Architecture has worked as an architect both in New Zealand and Scotland – providing him with a wealth of experience that today shapes his attitude to the design process. Jeremy became a registered architect in 2012, having attended Victoria University, and then spent time working for Mercer & Mercer Architects in Auckland before moving to Scotland. It was in Scotland that Jeremy established Notch, returning to New Zealand in 2020. Scotland’s rich and diverse architectural heritage allowed him to work on a wide range of projects ranging from bespoke heritage alterations to large new-build housing schemes, from low-budget, high-impact projects to high-end residential spaces, culminating in an award-winning, multimillion-pound terraced housing development in the heart of Edinburgh. “In Scotland I had the opportunity to design buildings using materials that deliver a healthy, warm, long-lasting built environment,” Jeremy explains. “Everyone has grown up with ancient crafted stone and our clients expected the same for their buildings.” Daniel Sullivan, owner of Design Studio Architects (DSA), is driven by an ambition to build a practice focused not just on designing buildings, but on improving the process behind how they are delivered. After completing his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in architecture, Daniel worked as an architectural graduate before becoming a registered architect, and then going on to establish his practice in 2022. From the outset, the intention was to create a studio grounded in a considered methodology, a strong interest in design and an effective use of technology. A key part of that approach is DSA’s partnership structure. Early in the formation of the practice, Daniel aligned with registered building surveyor, Barry Gill, whose expertise complements the architectural side of the business. The collaboration allows DSA to engage early in projects so they can provide clients with a more coordinated pathway from investigation through to consent and construction. This is particularly evident in remediation work, which forms a significant portion of the practice’s work. Projects often involve weathertightness issues, passive fire compliance, or broader building failures. Rather than defaulting to ripping everything out and starting from scratch, DSA focuses on understanding the root cause of issues to target practical solutions. A wealth of experience T T Sue Russell “That’s where the name notch comes from, notching into the existing to create something new,” Jeremy explains. Spending a lot of time listening to clients in the early stages is his top priority. This, he says, provides the groundwork for engaging conversations to flow, and from which to best ground an understanding of what is most important for the client. Site visits, taking into account the situation, how the sun tracks, exposure to the elements, the views, all add to the picture. The overall vision for the home, Jeremy says, can sometimes be overlooked in the detail, but it is critical to guiding and focusing later decisions. “It’s about giving voice to the essence of the project. It could be a material palette, or the form, or it could be an experience. Past projects, for instance, have been: beachside camping at home; hedgerows; mimicking land forms. ” Using natural building materials that create healthy environments is something Jeremy is passionate about, moving away from off-gassing plastics and towards lime and naturally durable timbers. In recent weeks Jeremy has had seven projects across his desk, as well as one closer to heart, designing his own family home on a piece of land in Laingholm, where building consent is expected soon. “It’s about understanding what’s actually going wrong and fixing that, rather than taking the simple route of replacing everything,” says Daniel. Whether working on a new build, renovation, or fit-out, each project is approached with the same mindset. From its base in Albany, DSA operates across New Zealand, delivering projects that range from residential homes in Northland to commercial fit-outs in the lower South Island. The team consists of Daniel, two fulltime designers, and a part-time registered architect, supported by a wider network of consultants and contractors assembled to suit each project. This structure ensures the right expertise is applied at the right time. While renovation and remediation work accounts for a significant portion of the workload, particularly within Auckland, the practice also undertakes a range of new-build residential projects from mid-range homes through to bespoke designs. Each project is shaped by the specific conditions of the site, the parameters of the budget, and a clear understanding of the client’s objectives, rather than a predetermined design language or stylistic agenda. “At DSA, each commission is approached as part of an ongoing process of improvement, where workflows are streamlined, complexity is reduced, and greater clarity is brought to both design and construction.” Each project is shaped by the specific conditions of the site.
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