Registered Architect Jason Yap brings a wealth of commercial experience to the Auckland studio following time at Leuschke Kahn Architects, Context Architects and Plus Architecture. Jason has also worked at Nettleton Tribe Architects in Brisbane. 

Jason relishes the diversity of his role and working in a wider team to follow the architectural process from sketch to fully realised building. His extensive architectural knowledge and experience have seen him work on everything from small interior fit-outs to high-density housing and apartment developments.

A graduate of the University of Auckland School of Architecture, Jason lives in Onehunga with his wife and young child.

Bringing a slice of France to the practice, Stephanie Gardner Registered Architect, ANZIA, Diploma of Architect, EPFL (Switzerland) has been with HMOA since 2004. Before then, she worked in Switzerland and France on commercial and residential projects, as well as architectural competitions.  Steph is experienced in construction detailing, detailed design production and has been running contract administration/site observation on residential projects for over twelve years. She is  skilled in Autodesk REVIT and associated presentation software, and is passionate about Building Information Modelling as part of her role for NZIA BIM Committee.

Steph feels strongly that Wellington is the coolest place in the world. While walking or riding around the waterfront to work or yoga, she still stops and thinks about how she wouldn’t want to live anywhere else. She has recently completed her yoga teacher training and loves that her HMOA colleagues share her passion for fitness and sport.

Read more about Steph on the blog.

Nic Sewell, Registered Architect, ANZIA, moved back to his hometown of Christchurch in 2011 after travelling and working in Europe.  Experienced in all facets of the design and construction process, Nic has a strong interest in sustainability and a hands-on approach to construction and building technology.  He worked on experimental building projects in Portugal, Denmark and Belgium and attended short courses on alternative construction and energy systems in Wales and Germany.

Nic is a Registered Assessor for the New Zealand Green Building Council's (NZGBC) Homestar programme.

After graduating from Auckland University, Nic moved to Nelson and worked with a local practice on a range of institutional and residential projects that fostered a practical and direct approach to project development. Nic lives with his wife and two young sons in the Christchurch suburb of Spreydon. He loves snowboarding, has spent seasons at resorts in Canada and Austria, and  enjoys exploring the clubbies and backcountry in Canterbury (when the kids allow).

Nic is a keen cyclist who also volunteers with Christchurch’s RAD Bikes, read more on the blog.

Representing HMOA in the Bay of Plenty, Jenny Duck, NZ Registered Architect, ANZIA, was part of our Christchurch team for five years before moving north to Tauranga in 2016 and establishing the Tauranga studio in 2018. She works alongside Director John Melhuish, and other HMOA directors, as HMOA's contact in the Bay.

With over 25 years of experience in the industry, Jenny began her career as an architectural draughtsperson, crafting her trade in the residential field in Christchurch. She gained a strong grounding in CAD modelling and documentation and enjoyed the challenge of residential new builds and alterations on the Port Hills.

Originally from Martha’s Vineyard in the US, Karin Thurston, CID (Certified Interior Designer, CCIDC State of California) began her interior design career in her teens, working as a design assistant during summer holidays. She went on to gain a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications at Ithaca College before moving to Los Angeles and returning to interior design. In LA she completed the UCLA Extension Interior Architecture programme and over the next decade, Karin worked on commercial office fit-outs before moving to New Zealand with her partner in 2017. 

Karin is particularly skilled in space planning, design, material selection, joinery design and construction documentation. She enjoys the collaborative studio atmosphere at HMOA, and has relished finding her place as an interior designer among all our architects.

Read more about Karin on our blog.

With over twenty years' experience in the industry, Registered Architect Rochelle Tse returned to HMOA in 2019 after being part of our practice (then known as HMA) from 2002-2007. During that time, she worked on a range of projects including undertaking the Construction Documentation and Administration for Seatoun and Ngaio Houses. On graduating from Victoria University in 1996, Rochelle worked for Melling Morse Architects (1997-2001) on low-cost sustainable homes.

In 2007, Rochelle established Tse Wallace Architects with her business partner Liz Wallace. She has always enjoyed working with the variety of people who make up a project team to create thoughtful, well-detailed designs. 

Rochelle lives in the Wellington seaside suburb of Eastbourne with her husband, Matt, and their two daughters. She enjoys the ‘slow’ crafts of pottery, floristry and handicrafts, which link her back to nature.

Registered Architect Lani van Schreven joined HMOA in 2011 initially working in the Wellington studio. In 2017, Lani and her husband moved to Christchurch, and Lani transferred to our Christchurch studio.

Lani has been involved with a range of projects from pre-design through to contract administration and site observation.

Before joining HMOA, Lani worked for Irving Smith Jack Architects in Nelson.

Lani lives in Rolleston and has young two children, both of whom are also cherished members of the HMOA team.

Architectural Graduate Lewis Ellison completed his Masters of Architecture at Victoria University of Wellington before working for John Mills Architects in Wellington. Originally from Southland, Lewis joined HMOA's Christchurch studio in 2023 – making the move south to be closer to family.  

Lewis is passionate about environmentally sustainable design and endeavours to weave the knowledge he gained from his master's research on regenerative design into every project.

Outside of work Lewis, enjoys honing his ceramic craft and has previously volunteered as a glaze technician for a Wellington pottery studio in Wellington.

Originally from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, Sally Britten, Architectural Graduate, has been with HMOA since 2013. She studied in Brisbane and Melbourne, before moving across the Tasman to be part of the Christchurch rebuild. While at HMOA, Sally has developed her skills in design, construction detailing, detailed design production and Autodesk REVIT for a range of projects including residential new builds, alterations and multi-residential projects. She enjoys the variety her role provides; working across different scales, from the big picture of the urban environment to the small scale of construction details. 

When she has the opportunity, Sally loves exploring the South Island’s network of backcountry huts – on foot or by bike.

Sally and her partner have recently built their own house and had their first child. 

Registered Architect James Lee joined HMOA's Auckland studio in 2021, bringing experience in education and commercial projects, and a sound knowledge of architectural software.

James completed his Masters in Architecture at the University of Auckland in 2017, joining ASC Architects where he was involved in the Public Private Partnership (PPP3) School Projects and a major redevelopment of Whangarei Boys’ High School.

James is keen to broaden his knowledge in both construction and design. He's interested in how the architectural design process ultimately influences how people live, from formulating the concept as designers to the way people use these spaces once they are built.

James achieved his registration as an architect in December 2023.

Architectural Graduate Ana Suznjevic moved back to Auckland at the end of 2019 after spending a few years travelling around Europe, reconnecting with family in Croatia, and working in London.  Ana joined HMOA's Auckland studio in February 2020.

Ana completed her Master of Architecture at Unitec in 2013 and worked for several years at Stephenson & Turner in Auckland where she focused on numerous school projects and the Aotea Centre interior refurbishment.