Context Architects has promoted five new associates who will help ensure excellent client experiences for Context’s customers and manage all aspects of projects to make sure they run on time and budget.

The five newly-created associates Alex Petersen, Craig Birch, Dasha Tarasova, Madeline Sharpe and Rachel Venables will provide a primary point of call for clients and coordinate projects to make them run efficiently and achieve strong results. It will also encourage more creative and technical excellence as team members focus on particular roles.

Project lead and interiors specialist Alex Petersen manages nationwide fit-out for national retail brands. Architect and Green Star sustainability expert Craig Birch leads remediation projects to add value to buildings through design.

Architect Dasha Tarasova leads teams on large residential developments, while Madeline Sharpe creates masterplans for large-scale developments that sensitively deliver on community and financial aspirations. Next year she will lead a series of national hospitality and tourism projects.

Finally, Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects Rachel Venables is driving innovation in design and consents to improve the efficiency and performance of housing developments and improve time to market.

Operating nationally from offices in Auckland and Christchurch, the 63-person practice has grown by seven people this year. Recent new appoints include architects, interior designers, a business development manager and even a gamer turned virtual-reality specialist.

“The appointments and promotions reflect the growth and development of our people and the business,” explains director and managing principal Stephen Voyle. “We’ve seen particular growth in housing, hospitality and retail this year; as well as exponentially increasing our use of virtual and augmented reality to design and consult. 

Context’s South Island team has also moved to a new office in Christchurch’s lively innovation precinct, and the whole practice has a new brand that reflects the business’ future focus.