MIKE COLE

DIRECTOR, ARCHITECT (ANZIA)
BBSc, BAS (Hons)

Mike co-founded Archaus in the early 90’s alongside Dennis Burns.

Extensive experience on various types of projects has led Mike to form Vicinity; a development company, which has greatly assisted Mike’s understanding of the process from client perspective.

Through extensive travel, Mike has founded the idea that:
“We can do better – particularly if we utilize lessons learnt in other places. Whatever the project – there is often similar examples overseas that we can study to see what works – and importantly – what doesn’t.”

DENNIS BURNS

DIRECTOR, BIM + MANAGEMENT
CBP NZIOB

Dennis Burns is a family man, husband & father, Taekwon-Doin (4th Dan Blackbelt, instructor and NZ Board Chairman), scooter affectionado, bagpiper and lover of all good design

Dennis met Mike Cole (the Architect) and together they created Archaus in the 90’s.

Dennis’ construction career day one started off by falling in a drainage trench (some 40 years later he still hasn’t taken the hint). Dennis has progressed from being a QS, site, construction and project manager, to running the Archaus Team and become very active in promoting the uptake of BIM practices both within archaus and the Construction Industry.

Also his favourite colour is orange.

CHAD McMAN

DIRECTOR
B.Arch, M.Urb.Des (hons)

Chad holds degrees in both Architecture and Urban Design, and has over 25 years of design expertise in a variety of roles, including public and private sectors.

CHRISTIAN BERTSCHINGER

DIRECTOR, ARCHITECT (SWISS, NZ)
MA ETH / SIA, NZIA REGISTERED

Christian has been with Archaus since 2005 and has worked as the project architect for on a large variety of projects. His projects include the new carparking building for Wellington International airport and the Lyall Bay Surf Club.

Before coming to New Zealand, Christian has worked as a project architect in London and Zurich for a number of years on projects from heritage, office buildings, large apartment blocks through to urban development strategies.

Christian is a registered architect with the Swiss Society of architects and engineers, is a qualified Green Star Professional, and has been lecturing at the Victoria School of Architecture in the past.

FIONA KINGI

SENIOR ASSOCIATE, ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN
NZCAD

Fiona joined Archaus in 2007 as an architectural draughtsperson.

She has worked for three architectural firms in Wellington. Having worked for thirty years in small to medium sized firms.

Fiona has a wide range of experience as a draughtsperson and related work.

DAVID MOULD

SENIOR ASSOCIATE, ARCHITECT (UK)
BA (Hons), BArch Dip

David has a varied range of project experience in the areas of residential, retail and commercial sectors, including all stages from conceptual to detailed design, contract management and on-site co-ordination. David has previously worked in the United Kingdom for Lifschutz Davidson Architects (London), and DEGW (London & Glasgow).

Since joining Archaus in 2004, David has acted as Project Architect on commercial and retail projects, including the Porsche & Audi Showrooms (Wellington), Red Ginger Restaurant, Ronald McDonald House (Wellington), Quest Serviced Apartments (Nelson) and the current Wellington Airport Multi Level Carpark and Hotel Projects.

BILL VENNER

ASSOCIATE
NZCD (A)

Bill has worked as an Architectural Technician in Wellington for over 35 years and joined Archaus in 2016.

During his career he has gained experience in a wide range of commercial projects within the industrial, educational, retail, office interiors, hospitality and recreational sectors of the industry.

Over the last few decades his keen interest in technology has seen him actively involved in its utilisation for design and construction. Bill has a strong knowledge of New Zealand building regulations and construction procedures and enjoys translating design concepts into cost effective compliant buildings.

BRANDON SANDERSON

ASSOCIATE
Dip. Architectural Tech.

Brandon has 5 years experience in with commercial architecture.

This includes; work on hotels, multi-unit residential, high rise, supermarkets, factories, warehouses, dairy plants, retirement and early childhood and has covered the design cycle from conceptual, through working drawings to on-site monitoring.

Brandon utilises a strong focus on BIM throughout the design process and is an advocate for using technology to bridge the gap between the designer’s and the client’s visions and ideas - as well as improving the efficiency of the overall design process.

In his spare time, Brandon enjoys playing guitar and playing around with VR.

BRIAN CULLEN

DESIGN CONSULTANT
ABPC, LBP3

Brian has a wealth of knowledge having been involved in building design and documentation in Auckland for over 50 years.

LUCY NIE

ARCHITECTURAL GRADUATE
BAS, MArch Prof

Lucy joined the Auckland Archaus team in 2022. She has been working for the last 4 years as an Architectural Graduate in New Zealand in both commercial and residential sectors at small – medium firms.

Lucy grew up in New Zealand but completed a Bachelors in Sydney before missing home and coming back to finish her Masters and work.

After work, Lucy is currently designing to have her own house built. She also enjoys painting, hiking with friends, and being a crazy cat lady with 3 cats.

GRACE MCLEAN

ARCHITECTURAL GRADUATE
BAS, MArch Prof

Grace is a local Wellingtonian and recently completed her Masters of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington at the end of 2022. She has been working at Archaus for 5 years where she has grown her skillset assisting with contextual studies, organising libraries, modelling families, marketing and renders.

Maintaining balance between her extra-curricular pursuits, work and studies, Grace plays national league netball. Grace has been a training partner for the Central Pulse where she debuted in 2021. She strives to excel both on court and in her academic life.

HELEN ZOU

ASSOCIATE
BAS, MArch Prof

In July 2021 Helen joined the Wellington Studio. Recently Becoming a Registered Architect Helen has practiced within a smaller firm for the last six years, with experience in all stages of design from project initiation to contract administration, predominantly working on small to medium residential projects.

Helen is excited to participate in the larger scale projects at Archaus where this can be further explored.

In addition to her professional attributes Helen enjoys urban gardening and considers herself as a foodie and normally spends her weekends with family and friends experimenting with new recipes or looking for new cafes and restaurants to try.

MARILYN EMPSON

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Marilyn has joined Archaus as the new Accounts Administrator.

Marilyn has spent most of the last 25 years in accounts and administration roles in the building industry. She enjoys working for small business and is looking forward to the challenges of her new role.

NICOLE MONNIG

ASSOCIATE
Dipl.Ing(FH)

Nicole graduated in Germany with her Bachelor of Architecture Degree.

Since moving to New Zealand for over a decade now, she gained a broad range of knowledge working on various commercial, education, health care, accommodation and multi-unit residential projects ranging from alterations to new developments.

Nicole joined the Archaus family in 2012 and is always looking forward to next exciting challenge to come.

PAUL MARTIN

ARCHITECTURAL GRADUATE
BAS, MArch Prof

Paul is a local Wellingtonian and studied architecture at Victoria University of Wellington. Since completing his studies, he has been involved in a variety of projects from small renovations to medium density housing, right up to master planning and resource consent work for large retirement village provider – working under tight time pressures.

In his spare time, Paul enjoys the outdoors and getting some fresh air, going on walks, and even attempting the odd camping trip. When it's a typical Wellington day (i.e. indoors) it’s a good movie or book, along with being a keen Liverpool FC supporter, usually in the early hours of the morning.

Ghem Cecilio

ARCHITECTURAL GRADUATE

BAS

Ghem graduated with Batchelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) in Victoria University in 2018.  After her studies, she worked for a local Wellington developer for more than 3 years. Varying across different projects, from small refurbishments to subdivision master planning, initial concept design through to site observations.

In her spare time, she enjoys spontaneous outdoor adventures and loves a good social competitive Badminton.

Nadja Brunner

ARCHITECTURAL INTERN

Nadja has recently finished her second year of her Bachelors of Architecture at ETH (Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich) University in Zurich. The bachelor’s degree takes 6 semesters plus 6 months of practical work where Nadja has chosen to do an exchange working in a New Zealand firm. Nadja is assisting us around the office and on project work through summer and into the new year.