Designer, Harvey Duncan

Harvey Duncan has been involved in architecture ever since leaving school. Harvey qualified and worked first as an architectural draftsperson, which provided a stepping stone into an architectural degree at Auckland University. Since then a varied architectural career has seen him working in Auckland, London, and now, back in his home town, Christchurch.

“I came back home from London really keen to get out on a building site for a few months with a hammer in my hands. Fortunately I had the opportunity to design and build my parent's new home in Hanmer Springs followed by my next project  designing Guy and Jo's new house for them. I love designing and being out on site dealing with the practical issues as the building is under construction."

Harvey enjoys the process of designing homes especially for families. “Every family is different. A  good architect knows how to ask the right questions to help clarify the brief. The clearer people can be about the way they live, the easier it is for the architect to respond with an exciting design unique to them.”

“One of the many things to bear in mind is the need for flexibility. I try to design homes that are going to adapt to  the families needs. For example, when children are younger they want to be close to the parents, but as they get older they need more distance. A good family home should have spaces enabling both to happen.”

Another factor, says Harvey, is considering where people are naturally going to gravitate to.  “I discourage people from building homes that are bigger than they really need as it just becomes expensive to heat them. It's important to think about where people will congregate and this is most often the sunniest room where possible directly linked to the outdoor living spaces.”

“It's important to really get to know your clients, listen to them and understand how they live.  I don't expect to get everything right in the first concept design, but it's usually a good springboard that helps clients concretise their ideas, expectations and budget. A lively two way interaction between architect and client produces an exciting end result."

Harvey is at present working as design architect for Ian Cumberpatch Architects Ltd in Christchurch.

• Contact Harvey Duncan.