76 | Lockdown launch works out after all The VMA team love to see the end results of their work and the difference well-designed living and working spaces make to people’s lives. Varcoe McMillan Architecture ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN T T Russell Fredric Making a difference in people’s lives through design that is both practical and beautiful is regarded as a privilege by the team at Invercargill-based practice Varcoe McMillan Architecture (VMA). The business is co-owned by directors Gordon McMillan and Cory Varcoe, whose timing in launching it amidst the unexpected curveball of the covid lockdown in 2020 with three staff was almost enough to send the pair back to the drawing board. “It was testing times not knowing how it was all going to pan out,” Gordon says. However, with the support of their previous employer, KGR Architecture, where Gordon and Cory had collectively spent 26 years in addition to tenures with other employers, their new business was able to not just survive but ultimately thrive. “We were very fortunate.” A serendipity of the lockdown was that people couldn’t travel and became home-centric so they began planning to use their surplus income to undertake renovations or build new, which meant VMA grew rapidly. The company now employs four staff, bringing together a total of 85 years’ design experience collectively. They have a wide variety of expertise covering residential design for new builds and renovations/alterations, commercial, hospitality and Ministry of Education projects. The VMA team love to see the end results of their work and the difference that well-designed living and working spaces make in people’s lives. This was especially highlighted for people who decided to renovate during the pandemic. “The big thing for us is working with clients and suggesting ideas that people hadn’t considered before and they get excited about it actually happening.” Like many of today’s designers, VMA’s team has a passion for sustainable practices and incorporating as many energy-efficient elements as possible into new builds or when retro-fitting. “Even before the new insulation code came in, we were already designing high-performing buildings well before that; we were recommending that people go above the minimum.” Among the things to consider in a design is the wide variation in summer to winter temperatures, especially in the south, making cooling and minimising the effect of high temperatures just as important as the need for efficiency in heating. Using structurally insulated panel (SIP) construction is a common way of creating a more even year-round temperature, and other elements such as thermally broken components and wider eave overhangs on sunny elevations can make a difference. While building an energy-efficient home can cost more up front, this expense is offset over time by lower running costs. Sometimes this will require a change of mindset, but the VMA team are always mindful of what the client wants. “What we try to do for our clients is give them the best performing building for their budget.” Whether for a new build or a renovation, VMA’s team have a strong understanding that good design will make a home much more enjoyable to live in. They are also conscious of the bigger picture in creating housing stock for future generations that will be considerably better than those of the previous decades, resulting in homes not only being more efficient but also healthier to live in. “Our living environment and architecture has a significant role to play in people’s wellbeing and lives.” PROUDLY SUPPORTING VARCOE MCMILLAN ARCHITECTURE New Builds | Renovations 021684181 paul@mchaffiebuilding.co.nz Solving the toughest problems and delivering outstanding results • PROJECT MANAGEMENT • PROCUREMENT SPECIALISTS • PROPERTY MAINTENANCE • CONSULTING & ADVICE • EMERGENCY RESPONSE COORDINATORS | Proudly Supporting Varcoe McMillan Architecture PROPERTY@SSL.CONSULTING 021 834 169
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