We are Makers
We enjoy a challenge and particularly the journey that is creative problem solving.
Our practice has evolved from a desire to bring the architectural and construction environments closer together, allowing for collaboration and innovation through engaging with technological design efficiencies. This method of working, allows us to be accurate in our design planning, communication and construction methods.
Design quality, sustainability and healthy environments are central to our practice.
We believe, our designs must be responsive to; location, client needs + dreams, financial and cultural positions. Sensitively bringing these attributes together shapes, guides and balances each project’s scope, generating a unique set of criteria for each design to emerge and develop from.
Our aim is to create environments that better the environment.
Design Making
We engage in the process of 'design making', this approach takes advantage of emerging technologies allowing us to be innovative, accurate and sustainable in our design planning.
During design development, projects are digitally constructed through the use of BIM (Building Information Modelling) and VR (virtual reality). This technology allows clients to visualise & walk through their projects, presenting an accurate understanding of the project’s spatial experiences. The same digital information is used to inform the construction documentation, manufacturing data (for digitally fabricated components) & is used on-site to inform the construction assembly through to project completion.
Sustainable Principles
We focus on the specification of renewable materials and sustainably sourced products to produce low waste, healthy & resilient building systems. Design principles such as the integration of; passive solar, geographic orientation, ventilation, thermal performance, material optimisation, plus solar ready systems are included in our projects.
Sitting lightly on the landscape while connecting & responding to surrounding contexts are attributes we consider in every project. Each landscape environment is modelled from 3D topographic survey data, allowing landscape conditions to be proposed & understood with accuracy.
The technologies we engage with support sustainable practice, recognising the need for greater efficiency, flexibility and control throughout the design, construction and extended life-time of our buildings.
Collaboration
As well as delivering our own projects throughout Aotearoa, Makers also work in collaboration with the extended design, university research and architectural communities, to build, test, iterate, prototype and further develop the potentials of architectural design and build manufacturing.
To strengthen the collaborative architectural and construction environments, Makers of Architecture founded Makers Fabrication in 2014, a prefabrication construction company, specialising in CNC manufacturing & architectural prefabricated construction. While the two Makers companies act as independent companies, they share the same values and passion for great design, prefabrication and manufacturing efficiencies, working together and collaboratively with others on a diverse range of projects, of varying scales, and locations.
Research & Development
Makers are committed to engaging with inter-disciplinary research to discover new potentials within the industry. We recognise change is essential for sustainable development and the future of our environment.
The Makers' practice is one of constant research, testing new details and processes to improve efficiencies in construction and design.
off ~ route 2, 2015
Our continued research and development of technologies to support improved 'design for manufacturing' pipelines, aims to provide increased time for design & planning resolution while supporting the continued development of digital fabrication & manufacturing technologies for custom prefabricated design.
Affiliations
- New Zealand Institute of Architects
- New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects
- New Zealand Registered Architects Board
- PrefabNZ
- Callaghan Innovation
- Victoria University of Wellington
Faculty of Architecture and Design - AMPD Lab
