78 | Architectural edge with a realistic budget The focus is on careful detailing and using standard building techniques in creative ways. ARCHITECTURE Brown Dog Architecture T T Kim Bowden “I’d like to think we’re a bit more pragmatic. A lot of our clients are builders or come through our builder network.” Ten years after setting up his own firm, architectural designer Thomas Ricketts says leaving large commercial work behind to focus on residential projects has given him back a sense of ownership and connection to the people who use the buildings. “I’d forged my own path around the world and followed my heart for 12 months,” he says of the travel break that came before starting the business. “Coming back to the same job just didn’t quite feel quite right.” Today, Brown Dog Architecture is a small Queenstown-based studio working mainly on mid-spec residential homes, with some commercial projects in the mix. The practice sits between group housing and high-end builds: clients want an architectural home, but with a realistic budget. Thomas launched the firm after close to 15 years in the industry, much of it spent on bespoke homes and large commercial projects. An intern from his previous workplace, Amber Pulley, joined him at the outset, and while staff numbers have shifted over time, the core team has remained the same. Thomas describes Brown Dog Architecture as a user-friendly, no-nonsense practice. “Architects can have a lot of ego,” he says. “I’d like to think we’re a bit more pragmatic. A lot of our clients are builders or come through our builder network.” That network is built on long-standing relationships, including regular work with Darfield builder James Hunt Residential, whose own home was one of their first projects together, and nearly two decades working alongside Powell Fenwick director Phil Paterson. Rather than chasing expensive finishes, the firm focuses on careful detailing and using standard building techniques in creative ways. “You get that architectural edge without blowing the budget,” Thomas says. Projects such as an Okains Bay bach, where the building sits at a deliberate angle on site, creating a distinctive triangular deck, show how the practice adds design interest while keeping costs in check. A key motivation for starting the business was to work directly with clients, rather than through layers of project management. “Everyone was answering to someone else up the chain, and it felt a little soulless,” he says. “I wanted to work more closely with clients, hearing their feedback firsthand and having honest conversations throughout the process.” The business has grown largely through word-of-mouth referrals, often via builders and past clients, supported by a website showcasing representative projects. More recently, Thomas has completed a new home for himself in Redcliffs, Christchurch, bringing together the passive design principles he often discusses with clients. “It has well insulated concrete floors with hydronic in-slab heating, efficient heat pump hot water, extra thick walls and high levels of insulation throughout,” he says. He says interest in thermally efficient homes is growing, although budget can still be a limiting factor. “The aim is to invest strategically in areas that deliver long-term performance and value over the life of the building.” As Brown Dog Architecture marks its 10year anniversary, Thomas says his focus has shifted to balancing growth with a sustainable workload. With both he and Amber raising young children, family has become a central priority. “Family is incredibly important,” he says. “It’s about creating a work-life balance that allows us to give our best, both at home and on projects.” Thomas and Amber both lived in Christchurch when the business was founded, but today Thomas is based in Queenstown and Amber in Blenheim, with regular trips back to Christchurch. “It keeps us connected to the people and places that matter,” Thomas says. Renovation Specialists Transforming spaces into personalised havens - Creating your slice of paradise. Call Us: 027 466 0092
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