How global collaboration is shaping NZ architecture

Hamish Davies, Director at Plus Studio, on the power of international collaboration.

New Zealand is facing a perfect storm. Like many countries, we’re seeing rising inflation, high demand for construction, and a persistent housing crisis. In times like these, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) sector can make a real difference. There’s a genuine need for sustainable and inclusive design that can help solve some of these complex issues.

It’s often said that architecture is about problem-solving, but I see it as making opportunities. Every building is a chance to build a better future for the next generation. As architects, our job is to find those opportunities within each unique site and use design to help address the challenges our nation faces.

One of the most powerful tools we have to maximise a site's potential is global collaboration. A design team has many hands at work, and when we work across borders, it adds strength to our architecture. Tapping into global expertise helps us create exceptional outcomes. We can draw inspiration from the world's best practices while making sure our designs are perfectly tailored to the local environment.

Over my 29-year career in Australia and New Zealand, I’ve seen firsthand how much agility and international collaboration can transform local design. At Plus Studio, where I'm a Director, we have ten studios across Australia and New Zealand.

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“The unique cross-studio collaboration strategy at Plus Studio enables us to leverage the talent, knowledge and experience of our leadership team across both state and country boundaries and borders.”

Our cross-studio collaboration strategy is what makes us unique. It allows us to leverage the talent, knowledge, and experience of our leaders across different states and countries. We have world-leading expertise in diverse sectors like Build to Rent, Student Accommodation, Healthcare, and Aviation & Transport. This puts us in a unique position to create and deliver a wide range of design solutions in New Zealand that are a perfect fit for our clients and local communities.

Since we opened our first New Zealand studio in Christchurch in 2015, Plus Studio has grown steadily and delivered multiple award-winning projects. The Pacifica, New Zealand's tallest residential building, is a great example of our global teams' strength. Conceived and executed by our Melbourne and Auckland teams, this project shows what’s possible when international collaboration breaks boundaries.

Our work on The Pacifica and other projects proves that our Auckland studio's portfolio is bigger than its size would suggest. It's all thanks to the vast expertise of our studios across Australia and New Zealand. We make sure remote contributions are seamless and encouraged.

Take the Holiday Inn Queenstown Remarkables Park, for instance. The vision was simple: create a contemporary and timeless 4-star hotel for visitors to Lake Wakatipu. To do this, we used our local team’s knowledge to meet the strict sustainability and operational requirements, and we brought in the Melbourne team to handle the interior design. The result is an aesthetic that responds beautifully to its surroundings. This project is a clear example of how international collaboration can bring fresh perspectives and inventive solutions to a local context.

Our collaborative approach doesn't stop with our own studios. We're agile and frequently partner with other local and international firms, including Zaha Hadid, Kengo Kuma, and Howells. This allows us to leverage each other's skills and expertise to go above and beyond for our clients, not just in New Zealand but also on projects in China, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia.

By working together, local designers find new avenues for learning and growth. Collaboration fosters a diversity of ideas, experiences, and approaches. The outcome is design that is not only visually captivating but also explores new possibilities for sustainability and inclusivity, offering long-term solutions to local problems.

The evolution of international design practices is an ongoing journey. But with each project, we see its potential to bring about positive, far-reaching change in New Zealand. The global design network is a treasure trove of insights and best practices that can be customised to meet the needs of local communities. Cultivating a culture of cross-border collaboration and networks is a strong pillar that architects can lean on to build a brighter future for New Zealand’s built environment and its people.