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The path to finding your architectural voice isn't a straight line—it's a series of experiments, failures, resets, and breakthroughs. Sam Brown, founding director of Arête Architects, takes us on a candid journey through his evolution as a designer and the growth of his practice.

Starting with foundational experiences at Victoria University, Mason Wales, and Foster Melville Architects, Sam reveals how these early influences shaped his approach before launching his own practice in 2021. Rather than immediately establishing a signature style, Arête began with experimentation, allowing real-world projects to guide their development. The breakthrough came when budget constraints forced them to rethink conventional approaches, leading to a deep exploration of modular design using structurally insulated panels (SIPs).

What makes Sam's perspective particularly valuable is his willingness to recognize when a design direction has run its course. After successfully developing a family of modular projects—from the Restricted Section to The Dart—Arête deliberately sought new challenges rather than continuing to refine a proven formula. This strategic reset prevents creative stagnation and pigeonholing, allowing the practice to maintain versatility while building a diverse portfolio.

Beyond their bespoke work, Arête developed SIPtris, a series of high-performance modular homes available as products—asking what if warm, dry, energy-efficient homes weren't a premium option but the default for everyone? Throughout their various explorations, one principle remains constant: the integration of performance and aesthetics from day one.

Sam's approach offers a powerful metaphor: your design mind is like a muscle that requires varied exercise. By embracing experimentation, learning from failures, and knowing when to reset, architects can build practices that remain fresh, relevant, and deeply connected to both client needs and environmental responsibilities. What design muscle are you exercising today?

Video link with slides here - https://youtu.be/auPJcFL_FcM

https://www.aretearchitects.co.nz/

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Step into the revolutionary world of mass timber construction with our enlightening conversation featuring Jordan Robinson, Head of Business Development at X-Lam. What begins as a reunion of old architecture school friends quickly transforms into a masterclass on how engineered timber is reshaping our built environment.

Remember when timber was just for stick framing houses? Those days are rapidly disappearing as Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and other mass timber products demonstrate capabilities that rival—and sometimes surpass—traditional concrete and steel construction. Jordan walks us through the remarkable journey of how small pieces of timber, often considered waste in conventional lumber processing, are transformed into structural panels capable of supporting buildings up to 10 stories tall.

The conversation shatters common misconceptions about timber construction. Far from being a fire hazard, mass timber chars at predictable rates, allowing engineers to design for specific fire ratings. And while acoustic performance requires thoughtful detailing, solutions exist that make timber buildings comfortable for occupants. Perhaps most surprising is the sustainability story—from the manufacturing process that utilizes timber offcuts to the carbon sequestration benefits, mass timber offers a compelling alternative to high-carbon materials.

What truly captivated us was learning about the seamless integration between digital design, manufacturing, and construction. The ability to model a structure digitally, send the files directly to CNC machines, and then rapidly assemble precision-cut components on site represents a fundamental shift in how we approach building. As Jordan aptly put it, "You can build ball gowns or you can build T-shirts with timber"—meaning the technology supports both stunning showcase projects and practical everyday applications.

Ready to reimagine what's possible in construction? Whether you're an architect, builder, developer, or simply curious about sustainable building practices, this episode offers valuable insights into a material that's been used for millennia but is now being deployed in revolutionary new ways. Join us as we explore how mass timber might just be the future of architecture in New Zealand and beyond.

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The seemingly effortless elegance of minimalist architecture masks the extraordinary attention to detail required to achieve it. Tom Seear-Budd and James Ross, founders of Wellington-based Seear-Budd Ross Architects, pull back the curtain on this process, revealing the meticulous thought behind their refined residential designs.

Having established their practice nearly six years ago after departing larger commercial firms, the pair sought greater autonomy and the opportunity to create more intentional, considered work. What began with barely a month's worth of projects ahead has evolved into a respected studio known for exceptionally clean architectural expressions. Their journey reveals the challenges and rewards of maintaining design integrity while building a sustainable practice.

At the heart of their approach lies an almost obsessive consideration of proportion, light, and spatial choreography. Tom and James share fascinating insights into their design process – from spending days on site imagining how residents might move through spaces, to debating whether rooms can "handle" 300mm versus 250mm floorboards. In one project, they aligned every element in a hair salon to the 105mm floor tile module; in another, they meticulously planned how to choreograph a visitor's experience of views, revealing them gradually rather than all at once.

The conversation explores how their thoughtful approach to openings (preferring fixed glazing with minimal frames over complex systems), material selection (favouring harmony over contrast), and spatial division (intuitive separation of public and private realms) creates buildings of quiet confidence. They emphasise that while their work has gravitated toward higher-end residential projects, their core design principles can be applied at any scale or budget – proving that good architecture isn't necessarily about expensive materials, but thoughtful application of universal principles.

For those interested in establishing their own architecture practice, Tom and James offer valuable insights from their journey – from the importance of brand integrity and mentorship to their strategic use of high-quality renders for communication and marketing. Their story demonstrates that building a distinctive architectural voice requires not just design talent, but persistence, strategic thinking, and occasional financial sacrifice in service of long-term vision.

Want to see more examples of architecture that demonstrates how simplicity often demands the greatest precision? Follow the Design Principles podcast for conversations with leading practitioners who are shaping our built environment through thoughtful, intentional design.

Episode cover image provided by Seear-Budd Ross.

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