Insights

10 Years as an Architectural Technician: 10 Lessons Learned

Nathan McNaull (NDAT) shares 10 things he's learned as an Architectural Technician at Chow:Hill.

A Decade of Design: Alex Dunnigan celebrations 10 years at Chow:Hill

Interior Designer, Alex Dunnigan reflects on a decade of design with Chow:Hill, shares some of her standout projects over the years, and reveals what she's looking forward to in the years ahead.

Capturing New Zealand's health design landscape: A Q&A with Chris Thom, author and architect

A new book, set for publication in 2025, shares stories of people, places, and companies who have been instrumental in shaping New Zealand’s health design landscape.

Regenerative Design a Driving Force for Chow:Hill Architect, Phil Rutkiewicz

With almost two decades of South African architectural registration and seven years of New Zealand experience, Phil Rutkiewicz is well versed in Aotearoa's design landscape. Having recently achieved his New Zealand registration, Phil shares his interest in responsive and regenerative design.

Q&A with Harry Platt, NZIA Emerge Co-opted Director

He's the co-opted voice of some 700 architectural graduates and relevant affiliated members on the New Zealand Institute of Architects board. Harry Platt gives an insight into the industry he's chosen to design a career in!

Property Industry Awards Success: Chow:Hill celebrates a night of people and projects

Chris Thom announced as NZIA Fellow

Chris Thom has been recognised for his professional service to the architectural community in his appointment as Fellow of Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects.

Darryl Carey announced as NZIA Fellow

Darryl Carey, Registered Architect and Senior Principal at Chow:Hill, and Founder of the New Zealand Health Design Council, has been announced as a Fellow of Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects.

Arthur's 30-Year Journey: A Milestone of Dedication and Excellence

Arthur Joe, Principal, Registered Architect, and 30 year veteran of the design industry, shares his learnings as he celebrates a career spanning three decades at Chow:Hill.

Senior Interior Designer Amy Land appointed to Associate

Chow:Hill's Senior Interior Designer, Amy Land, shares career highlights, words of wisdom, and sources of inspiration upon her recent appointment to Associate.

Celebrating a Year of Creative Connections

From the opening of a community asset to the master planning of a much-needed healthcare facility, project site visits to cultural learning journeys, award acceptances to business sponsorships, 2023 at Chow:Hill will be remembered for a year of creativity, connection, and collaboration.

Exceeding Expectations

Interior designer Amy Land challenges her own assumptions and comes out ahead.

Community Connections and Entrepreneurial Spirit: a Wrap up of Chow:Hill Activity in Q3

Chow:Hill Celebrates Completion of Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library

Environmental principles and rich cultural heritage have come to the fore in Chow:Hill’s contemporary design of Kirikiriroa’s new library, Te Kete Aronui Rototuna Library.

A Lost Art?

Jane Hill, Senior Principal and Architect at Chow:Hill shares her views on the art of developing a project brief.

A New Car Dealership Designed to Unify a Major Automotive Group

An expansive new car dealership was designed and built for Ebbett Group in Hamilton to bring together all of the different parts of the business in one location.

Designing with Creativity and Consideration

Designing to meet corporate, commercial, and cultural identities takes care and consideration, and remains front of mind for Chow:Hill’s Interiors Team.

Interior Designer Abroad

High flying and feature flooring: Chow:Hill Interior Designer, Amy Land, diaries her whirlwind trip to Interface’s Sydney Design Studio.

1970s Modernist Landmark is Reimagined for New Law Firm Tenants

Chow:Hill’s refit and refurbishment of an iconic Hamilton CBD building brought it into the 21st Century for its new anchor tenant.

Rabobank Tower, Union Square wins NZIA Commercial Architecture Award

Chow:Hill's design of the Rabobank Tower, the first building completed at Union Square in Hamilton, has won an NZIA Waikato/Bay of Plenty Award for Commercial Architecture.

Industry Recognition Celebrated

Anner Chong, a Registered Architect and Senior Principal here at Chow:Hill, has been announced as a Fellow of Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects.

Designing From the Inside Out

They use space for strategic storytelling, blending style with functionality to create an environment reflective of a client’s narrative. Meet Chow:Hill’s Interiors Team.

Waipapa's ICU Pod Receives Triple Recognition

Success was three-fold when Waipapa's ICU Pod was recognised at the NZ Commercial Property Awards in May, winning the Gold Award, the Value Award and the National Category Award in Health.

Whatever Happened to the CBD?

The Central Business District, as we have known it, is quite probably a thing of the past. The Covid-19 pandemic has merely accelerated the changing character of downtowns amidst poorly rented lower-grade commercial buildings, infrastructure under-investment, cheaper land elsewhere and remote working practices.

Learning, Connection, and Design Inspiration at Mini In:Situ 2022

It was a day of inspiration, innovation, and conversation – and Chow:Hill’s contingent of Architects was there to soak it all up!

Shaping Careers with Chow:Hill’s Mentoring Programme

As designers, any new project we embark on, any new environment we create, we do so by looking at it from all dimensions.

Award-winning Drawing on Display

Chow:Hill Architectural Graduate, Devyani Sethi, was the 2020 winner of the A+W NZ Tātuhi/Sarah Treadwell Drawing Archive. Her drawing is on display for the first time.

Collaboration and Celebration as NAWIC Waikato Celebrates its First Anniversary

NAWIC’s Waikato chapter plays a pivotal role in raising awareness of the variety of roles and responsibilities being held by women in Waikato’s construction scene.

Opinion: These Five Things…

Chow:Hill Senior Principal Brian Squair shares his thoughts on five themes in Aotearoa’s property sector with Property Council New Zealand.

Campus Upgrade Shapes Spaces of Learning

The opening of Ngāruawāhia High School’s recent campus upgrade was a celebration of a truly collaborative project between Chow:Hill, the school’s community, and our project partners.

International Experience Shapes Newly Registered Architect

Celebrating our people: Jaune-Marie van der Merwe shares her design influence and inspiration upon achieving registration from Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA).

Chow:Hill’s Commercial Design Recognised with National Awards

Placing people at the heart of commercial design has achieved industry recognition for Chow:Hill Architects.

A-Game Essential in Pandemic-afflicted Construction Climate

In today’s covid-climate, those in the architecture and design industry need to bring their A-Game when it comes to design thinking and supply management. Chow:Hill director, Brian Squair, recently discussed some of the strategies being adopted in response to construction supply constraints.

Covid, Climate and Continuity Shape the Latest Chow:Hill Sustainability Report

Covid-19 has dominated the past 12 months but, as Chow:Hill responds and adapts to the pandemic world, resilience, teamwork and a commitment to sustainability remain at the fore.

Church Book Exchange Designed with Pleasure not Perfection

A passion project for the local community gives Chow:Hill director, Stuart Mackie, a different design perspective.

Newly Appointed Principals Champion Design Quality

Chow:Hill architects Arthur Joe and Sam Thomas enjoy the challenges of their profession.

Modern Transformation of Claudelands Events Centre Celebrated

Chow:Hill’s design of Claudelands Arena 10 years ago turned a community asset into an international stage. Hamilton has just celebrated this award-winning facility.

Collaborative Design Approach Creates Resilient Hospital

Chow:Hill team celebrates a decade of collaboration as Christchurch Hospital Waipapa is recognised with an award for Public Architecture at the Te Kāhui Whaihanga NZ Institute of Architects Canterbury Architecture Awards.

Community Effort Sees Environmental Restoration

Taking to the shores of Te Motu-a-Ihenga, members of Chow:Hill’s Auckland studio swapped office attire for gardening gloves in island restoration effort.

How Many Architects Does it Take to Design a Website?

Balancing design with functionality - learnings from our new website project.

Graduates Cultivate Design Curiosity

At Chow:Hill, we encourage graduates to think differently, a key way to implement innovative ideas and push boundaries within our industry.

20 Years of People, Passion and Projects

Reflecting on the past two decades, Neil Kaiser credits his longevity at Chow:Hill to people, opportunities and a passion to create.

Mobile Drive-Through Health Service

A partnership for change: Chow:Hill's design of one of the first real-world mobile drive-through medical clinics delivers healthcare to rural NZ.

Union Square Revitalises Precinct

With eyes on the revitalisation of Hamilton's CBD, Chow:Hill is creating a transformational space with diverse offerings to breathe life back into the inner city.

Boardwalk Creating Connection

Waitara’s River Walk Wetland Boardwalk is an asset for the Taranaki community that evokes connection between settlement and shoreline.

Go-Ahead for Food Innovation Hub

A collaborative project in the Hawke’s Bay, which will see a hub for the region’s food, beverage and agri-tech sector, is one step closer to development.

Curating Campus Experiences

Collaborative industry partnerships and innovative teaching environments influence precinct design in tertiary education.

Pens, Pencils and Patience with Tony McNeight

Find out what happens when you take away our computers and design software and encourage us to get back to design basics.

Fast-Track Design of Hamilton Law Office

Chow:Hill fast-tracks Hamilton law firm McCaw Lewis' modern new look to celebrate the organisation's centenary.

Kotahitanga Bridge Design to Create Unity

Behind every good design is an even better story. A story that aims to connect and shape people’s experiences of an environment.

Architecture, Career and Fatherhood

They say great minds think alike and that’s certainly true in the Hira household. Registered Architect, Rajan Hira talks work/life balance.

Chow:Hill Champions Architectural Events

Chow:Hill Architects supports the Waikato as part of the New Zealand Institute of Architects Festival of Architecture.

Supporting Waikato's Creative Scene

Each year, Chow:Hill supports events set to inspire the next generation of creatives. 2019 has been no different.

Starship Hospital Day Stay Unit

When Starship Hospital’s DSU needed to be refreshed , Chow:Hill's Auckland studio collaborated with Auckland DHB on the re-creation.

Student Accommodation Design Trends

Creating collaborative learning and living spaces: Chow:Hill discusses the emerging design trends in student accommodation.

Chow:Hill Hamilton Studio Refresh

Designed for collaboration: Chow:Hill’s Hamilton/Kirikiriroa studio places wellbeing at its core.

LifeWise Big Sleepout

Chow:Hill director, Stuart Mackie, sleeps rough for a good cause at the 2019 Lifewise Big Sleepout.

Chow:Hill Refurbishes Spartik House

Chow:Hill commissioned to provide a more modern aesthetic to Spartik House's 1980s architectural aesthetic.

Transport Design and Sustainability

Chow:Hill director, Jane Hill explores the changing nature of transport and a growing trend towards electric vehicles.

Exhibition Opens at Auckland Art Gallery

Chow:Hill strengthens partnership with Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki as proud sponsors of Pacific Sisters: He Toa Taera | Fashion Activists.

New Principal Announcement

Chow:Hill is pleased to announce the appointment of Phillip Kempster to Principal.

Chow:Hill Director, Jane Hill, Women in Property Award Winner

Excellence in leadership and innovation in the Waikato property industry recognised by Property Council.

Chow:Hill's support of the arts on display at National Contemporary Art Awards

The 2018 National Contemporary Art Awards exhibition at the Waikato Museum is a must-see.

Celebration of design at Spark Festival Industry Design Breakfast

Chow:Hill proud sponsors of the Design Industry Breakfast at the 20th annual Spark International Festival of Music, Media Arts & Design. 

New Associate Appointed at Chow:Hill

Chow:Hill is pleased to announce the appointment of Sam Thomas to the position of Associate.

Fiji Build Project with Habitat for Humanity

Corinne Lee and Alison Tsoi from our Auckland studio recently participated in a one week build project in Fiji organised by Habitat for Humanity.

Horsham Downs School Visit

Students gain insight into inner workings of Chow:Hill's design studio.

Jane Hill Nominated for Munro Diversity Award

Jane Hill is a prominent architect within the Waikato and Bay of Plenty community.

Chow:Hill Celebrates 25 Year Anniversary

Time to get out the champagne and celebrate 25 years of Chow:Hill Architects!

Westpac Waikato Business Awards

Chow:Hill had the privilege of attending and being platinum sponsors of this year’s Westpac Waikato Business awards.

Pink for a Day, Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Chow:Hill was proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness month this October.

NZILA Small Urban Conference

Landscape architects from Chow:Hill’s Auckland studio attended 2017 NZILA’s Small Urban Conference.

Learning Curve: How is Disruption Refining the Purpose of Education?

Jane Hill recently wrote a thought-provoking reflection on the challenges of Learning Environment design.

National Contemporary Art Awards

2017 National Contemporary Art Award sponsored by Chow:Hill.

Attwood Apartments Reach Completion

The Attwood Apartments are the latest in a number of quality retirement apartment developments, undertaken in partnership with Oceania at Lady Allum Retirement Village.

Million Metres Streams

Chow:Hill is a committed sponsor of the New Zealand initiative, Million Metres Streams (MMS), who are striving to restore and protect the health of our inland waterways.

Interstudio Day

Chow:Hill's 'MasterChef' design skills were recently put to the test at our annual Interstudio Day.

Property Council Industry Awards

A night of celebration at the 2017 Property Council New Zealand Levett Bucknall Property Industry Awards on Friday, 16 June!

New Boutique Planet Espresso Café opens at Auckland City Hospital

In March the latest boutique Planet Espresso café opened at Auckland City Hospital.

South Canterbury Health Awards Gala

Chow:Hill was proud to be Platinum Sponsor for long-term client South Canterbury District Health Board as they celebrated their first South Canterbury Health Awards Gala.

Graduate Development Programme

Nine of Chow:Hill's Architectural Graduates are working towards professional registration with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board in 2017-2018.

New Appointments at Chow:Hill

On Friday, 31 March 2017, Chow:Hill announced three new Senior appointments.

New Registered Architects at Chow:Hill

Chow:Hill is delighted to celebrate with Sam Thomas and Meagan Wrinch from our Hamilton Studio their achievement in successfully becoming NZRAB Registered Architects.

NZIA INSITU Conference

In February this year a group of Chow:Hill staff attended the NZIA 'Insitu' Conference held at Auckland's ANZ Viaduct Event Centre.

Te Ara o Mauao Opening

The Chow:Hill Team recently shared in the celebrations as Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology opened Te Arao Mauao, their new student-centric, multi-purpose interdisciplinary learning space at the Windermere Campus.

New Curious Cubs Opens in CBD

On 16 January the new Curious Cubs Childcare Centre located on Tristram Street was opened.

Tertiary Sector Research: Conference Insights

Chow:Hill Director Jane Hill recently attended a series of tertiary-focused conferences as part of Chow:Hill’s research and knowledge development in the sector.

Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tāmaki

Chow:Hill donating towards exhibition Freedom and Structure: Cubism and New Zealand Art 1930-1960.

Westpac Waikato Business Awards

Chow:Hill was proud to be a part of the Westpac Waikato Business Awards.

National Contemporary Art Awards

Chow:Hill was proud to be a part of this year's National Contemporary Art Awards held at the Waikato Museum.

Greerton Library, A Bright New Facility

The opening of the new Greerton Library is a major milestone for the Greerton community, as the new facility replaces the existing, in operation since 1974.

Interstudio Day

Recently, Chow:Hill's Auckland and Hamilton studios got together at the Avantidrome in Cambridge for a day of team-building. It was a great day that involved something quite special.

Spark Festival Industry Design Breakfast

Chow:Hill are the proud sponsors of the 2016 Design Industry Breakfast at the Spark International Festival of Music, Media Arts & Design.

Big Sleepout

This year, one of our directors decided to get more involved with the Lifewise Big Sleepout, and spend a night out with the homeless.

Million Metres Streams

Chow:Hill is a proud sponsor of the New Zealand project, Million Metres Streams. The Million Metres Streams project is helping committed kiwis raise money to get large-scale tree planting happening along our country's waterways through crowd-funding.

New Chow:Hill Logo

The Chow:Hill Board of Directors takes this opportunity to share some more exciting news with you.

New Directors Appointed to Chow:Hill

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Jane Hill and Brian Rastrick as Directors of Chow:Hill.

Chow:Hill hosts NAWIC Event

On March 14, Chow:Hill hosted the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) event for the first time.

Art in a Day

In February, Chow:Hill Director Stuart Mackie, was lucky enough to win second prize in the recent Art in a Day competition, which was all about capturing the essence of Parnell, Newmarket and Grafton.

Grand Opening: Ebbett Audi & Volkswagen, Hamilton

On 28 January the new Ebbett Audi and Ebbett Volkswagen dealership officially opened, with a glamorous black-tie event hosted by Sir Graham Henry.