Collaborators

Tilespace panelist and Ligne collab partner

Alex Fulton is a multi-disciplinary and award-winning Christchurch based Interior designer, artist and creator specialising in bold colour, form and function. In all the projects she has undertaken over the last 18 years in the design business, these are three cornerstones of her work. Colour is the lens through which she sees the world.  Colour makes her as curious as it creates a deep connection – personalising a space and a home.  Combinations of colours and how they work together to drive all her projects, and the unexpected alchemy has led her to use this in a wide variety of places and spaces. Being analytical about colour can help bring together a cohesive design plan, tell a story and set the scene for forming a unique interior style.  The combination of functionality and the aesthetic should be both considered and effortless. Alex comes to ADW to share this knowledge with anyone who will listen.

Bold and Brave Design panelist at Tile Space

Alex McLeod has worked in the field of interiors and design since completing her Bachelor of Architecture 25 years ago. In 2019, after working alongside each other as friends and colleagues for many years, Alex and Tomi Williams realised that combining forces was not only great for the client but also for each other - it was an opportunity to grow and provide well considered and debated design solutions - and at.space was born. As a design studio their passion is to bring together spaces for residential and commercial projects that are harmonious, intentionally consistent and thoughtfully constrained. Colour is integral to their design intent and approach to every project to ensure that it is threaded through seamlessly and at times theatrically. Yet at the heart of every colour scheme is their understanding of a clients requirements. It is their relationship with their clients that determines how this use of colour is then permanently applied and embraced.

Panelist for the Harrows event

As the founder of Designwell & Daymark, Alexander blends his extensive experience as a multi-disciplined designer with an insatiable drive to create brands and spaces that create connection and lasting impact for their customers. His Hamilton-based studios focus on bringing design excellence to the regions of Aotearoa.

Panellist for circularity speaker event

Amanda’s background began in the creative sector before being passion driven into sustainability and climate resilience advisory roles within the public sector and consultancy. This has shaped her views and insights on systems thinking and human centred design to enable an equitable, climate resilient transition to a low carbon and circular economy.  She is also currently a practicing Infrastructure Sustainability Accredited Professional (ISAP) on a large design & construction project.

Speaker for James Dunlop textile design event

Design director of New Zealand-based textile brand and global textile wholesaler, James Dunlop. AnnieMoir is a 5th generation James Dunlop family member, born in the South Island of New Zealand with textiles in her blood and a desire to continue a century-long commitment to delivering the very best in interior furnishings. Growing up Annie worked across all departments of James Dunlop Textiles, familiarizing herself with the complex world of textiles and gaining an appreciation for the family business. Upon graduating University in 2012, Annie began her career in product development from James Dunlop’s Auckland based Studio before moving to Sydney, Australia in 2015 to join the Mokum Studio where she expanded her textile design acumen over the 7 year period. In 2021 Annie was offered the position of James Dunlop Design Director, once again returning to this New Zealand brand. Annie is excited to bring the experience and knowledge gained from her time in Mokum Studio to the James Dunlop brand to offer accessible trend and decorative colour for all levels of the market; textiles that feel luxurious and can be confidently lived on within the family home.

Speaker at the James Dunlop event on the frontier between technology, design and energy saving

Cody Hill is an optimistic and enthusiastic sales professional with over 10 years of experience as a sales specialist in the window coverings industry. His in-depth knowledge of what his customers' needs are and what technology is available today allows him to exceed customer expectations and provide excellent service. He is passionate about developing and maintaining strong relationships centered on trust with each of his customers.

Moderator for future of fashion design panel

Dan Ahwa, Creative and Fashion Director of Viva Magazine and the style editor for Canvas magazine, specialises in premium magazine features across fashion, design, arts and culture. Specialising in premium magazine features across fashion, design, arts and culture, Dan Ahwa's work combines both writing and visual storytelling, producing photoshoots and helping mentor and amplify the work of some of New Zealand's leading creative talent.

Panelist for Arup’s most regenerative workspace event

A 7th generation direct descendant of his tupuna, Chief Apihai Te Kawau who gifted land during the period of the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to establish Tāmaki Makaurau/ Auckland City. Through conquest and continued occupation, he exercise his ahikā (keeping the home fires burning) in the heart of Tāmaki Makaurau. His identity is acknowledged and strengthened through being authentic and working in reciprocity. As well as being Māori he also has whakapapa (ancestry) to Tahiti. His father - the oldest living member of their tribe at 93 - reminds him that they are both hula and haka and Dane has had the privilege of being mentored by him to become a servant leader to their iwi and community underpinned by manaakitanga, kaitiakitanga, whakapapa and humarie. Dane has worn several different potae (hats) over his career working mainly alongside and with Māori and Pasifika as well as providing cultural advice and guidance to both the public and private sector. He is currently involved in facilitating culturally empowering learning experiences both local and international, through tourism.

Architect and guide for Hotel Britomart tours and Studio Red design talks

Dajiang set about making not only great streets, buildings, rooms, furniture, or lamps, but extraordinarily reimagined experiences of our city. He did so from the midnight hand-painting of poetry in calligraphic graffiti on the walls of basement noodle dens, to the construction of the ten-storey half-city-block Hotel Britomart. He is the architect of the country’s first five-star Greenstar hotel, and the recipient of the nation’s Emerging Design Professional of the year, the New Zealand Institute of Architects’ Sir Miles Warren Award for commercial architecture, and a dozen gold pins at the Designer’s Institute of New Zealand’s Best Awards. 

Faradays designer and tour presenter

Emily refuses to accept disciplinary or typological boundaries within design. She leads a team of designers that push the studio’s work beyond building and into interior, graphic, product, web, furniture, lighting, and textile design. With them, she pursues totally immersive experiences, through a fierce commitment to the bespoke - from master plan to apron button.

Design lead and guide for Tank Park and Quay Street landscape developments.

Ethan is one of the founding members of LandLAB, a design studio working at the convergence of urbanism, landscape, ecology and place. For the last decade he has been involved in the design and conceptualisation of much-loved public spaces in Tāmaki Makaurau and Ōtautahi, in particular the regeneration of Wynyard Quarter and the Downtown Waterfront. He is interested in how we can use design-led processes to approach complex urban problems. While he can often be found buzzing around downtown Auckland on two wheels, he’s always up for a good chat and will be discussing the design intent for two CBD projects - as well as offering some Q&A.

Panellist for Lamplight speaker event

Eva Charlton is a graphic designer based in Tāmaki Makaurau who has a particular interest in design supporting the arts and culture sector. She currently works as Graphic Designer for design studio Extended Whānau run by Tyrone Ohia and on independent projects, collaborating with artists, curators, and writers.

Faradays designer and tour presenter

George is obsessed with detail, richness and concentrated, crisply resolved environments. He applies those obsessions broadly: from the layered improvisations of restaurants to large-format inner city transformations and intensely considered, bespoke residences. For George, this means fighting just as hard for custom-made door handles as for the efficiencies and potentials of multi-storey planning. George has a lead role in the Cheshire studio’s work, running several projects at once in support of the continually evolving whole.

Host of food design event

Brimming with flavour and personality, Herc is taking the dining and digital worlds by storm. Herc discovered his love of cooking in high school, largely inspired by Jamie Oliver. Whilst he’s predominantly self-taught, his love of cooking has taken him all the way to kitchens in Europe. During his time in Bandol in the South of France, Herc quickly found himself cooking for both the owner, staff and guests on a daily basis, despite his original role being a cellar hand. His time in the Mediterranean had a big impact on his style and preferred palette when cooking. Fresh produce, rustic simplicity and meticulous presentation are all staples of a Hercules Noble dish. Working in an open kitchen att Ozone Café in London has helped curate the charm, style and entertaining aspects that all come with having Hercules Noble in your kitchen; meanwhile in working alongside a dietician in New York, he developed his knowledge of macro and micronutrients of products. The value of food for Hercules goes beyond just tasty, he wants people to feel good after one of his creations. Known well on social media for his alter ego, where he satirically refers to himself in the third person as ‘mans’, Hercules reflects not only his confidence, but his humour and personal style. At his core, Herc is a people person. Whether it is through food, fitness, fashion or his endearing frivolity, Hercules is leaving his mark one plate and post at a time, and we can’t wait for our ticketholders to experience this first hand at what is expected to be our most popular event on the ADW programme.

Panelist for the Kovacs event

Born into the family business (along with brother, Johnny), Hildy gained incredible experience and exposure to the ever-changing nature of furniture design and construction. Whilst wearing many hats on different days, her work primarily focuses on designing exceptional built-to-last furniture and although technology has advanced some aspects, the integrity and honesty of the work remains the same. Gather that long history with the demands of today’s environment, matching expectations around creativity, performance and environmental influences. Hildy will discuss how that process sustainably evolves and excites.

Panelist for Nanette Cameron School event

JKW is a collaboration of experienced professionals working alongside director and designer Janice Kumar-Ward, (BDes Int Arch). With a wide range of skill sets in house, JKW ensures each project is executed with a considered, exciting and bespoke approach. She operates a full design studio in Auckland where they display a cache of samples from leading local and international suppliers, making them a complete destination for your interior design needs. Be it residential or commercial, before or during your renovation or build process.

Circularity in design panel speaker

Jayden has spent the past 11 years making materials, products and packaging more sustainable, alongside developing systems that allow for true circularity. He is experienced in bio-material development and circular systems. He has built multiple businesses in this space and worked with some of New Zealand’s and the world's largest organisations. Jayden has developed plant-based, compostable bottles and packaging as well as plant-based, reusable and recyclable bottles and packaging. Jayden's goal is to design waste out of the system. On top of tackling the bottled water space, Jayden has been offering new materials and circular systems to develop packaging for other businesses in multiple formats including bottles, jars, films and paper coatings. Jayden is bringing sustainable polymer production to Australasia through leading a PHA facility build and has won multiple national and international awards for his work over the past decade. Join Jayden and others for a panel discussion on circularity as part of the ADW programme.

Facilitator of biophilia themed wellness talk and sound bath experience

Kayla Gordine seamlessly integrates Te Ao Māori into her multifaceted career as an Artist, Speaker, Holistic Health Coach, Yoga and Group Fitness Instructor. She shares her creative expression through singing, songwriting, and musical endeavours as Kayla Jade. At the heart of her business, Āwhina Wellness, lies the harmonious convergence of Music and Wellness. Here, she crafts immersive experiences that captivate the mind, invigorate the body, and awaken the senses. Using sound as a central focus, Kayla facilitates an enhanced state of presence while equipping individuals with tools and practices for nurturing self-worth, emotional resilience, and overall well-being.

Moderator for Harrows panel event on human-centric design

Kirsti is an internationally recognised expert in workplace architecture with significant expertise in the design and delivery of major complex projects, drawn from over 25 years’ experience across the design and construction industry. With global architecture practice Woods Bagot, Kirsti holds the positions of Global leader – Workplace Interiors, Studio Executive Chair (Brisbane) and Principal. Throughout her 25-year tenure in the industry Kirsti has designed groundbreaking workplaces for international and local clients, acting as a mediator in how design can foster organisational change.

Beyond this, Kirsti is an adjunct professor at the University of Queensland (UQ) School of Architecture. She is a Member of the Economic Development Queensland advisory panel and a member of the Division Council of the Property Council of Queensland.

Creative Director for 159Design installation

Laura is ambitious, bubbly and approaches interior design with a refreshing problem solving perspective. With a Bachelor of Interior Design, and as founder of Pocketspace Interiors, Laura has extensive industry credibility and experience in both residential and commercial sectors. Pocketspace Interiors is Australasia's leading small space specialist and continues to push the design parameters of space. That said, there is nothing ‘small’ about her design direction for the 159Design installation, she’s gone Big, Bold and Brave - just like ADW 2024’s curatorial theme (minus the big!).

Panelist for the Kovacs event

New Zealand designer, Liz Mitchell MNZM, specialises in bespoke tailoring and championing New Zealand wool. Whether in her atelier or felting workroom, Liz is passionate about handmade craftsmanship- creating clothes and art of quality and sustainability. Liz’s interest in wool-focused, circular design encouraged the establishment of her Wool and Natural Fibres Textile Hub at the Corban Estate Art Centre in 2023. Liz believes that addressing the challenges of today’s wool industry and working towards solutions for a more regenerative, healthier planet start with community, slower production and promoting this incredible fibre. Her mission for Liz Mitchell Home is to see New Zealand strong wool used in every home, showcased in architectural spaces in a multitude of ways that will realise economic and environmental benefits for everyone across New Zealand's wool supply chain.

Panellist for circularity speaker event

Maria is NZGBC’s Future Thinker of the Year and a biomaterials expert with a strong understanding of barriers and enables to market uptake. She sees opportunities in incentivising circular economy and making it more accessible through digital technologies, collaboration, and resources like the new Circular Economy Fit-out Toolkit.

Collab partners for our table activation

Like their packaging projects, Think doesn’t fit the standard template. They’re an award-winning structural packaging design agency established in Auckland, New Zealand in 2010. Their focus is purely cardboard. Lovely, adaptable, sustainable cardboard: how to cut it, crease it, and engineer it into something unique and ownable for a brand. They take on projects small and large, local and global, for clients who are tired of the norm and looking to express the personality of their products through structural packaging design. The plastic blister pack users and standard box template companies probably hate them. They’re not sorry. Your product is driven by your purpose and deserves packaging that enhances it at every touchpoint. So they obsess over the finer details and dielines, coming at every project with fresh thinking, and produce precise hand cut prototypes so you can feel the passion and craft with your own fingertips. This was no different for our table activation - the creation or their submission!

Panellist for TWD speaker event

As an avid supporter of the wider industry across sectors, Michael's superpower and design ethos lie in his lateral thinking and ability to view things from an objective lens that offers a point of difference. The "power of three" for Michael is the culmination of people, place, and purpose - creating meaningful environments that respond to how we experience spaces with a natural, instinctive relationship to narrative, conscious considerations around indigenous design, and the way we create, craft, and curate environments that add value to people's lives.

Collab partners for our stool activation

Gestalt Studios is a multi-disciplinary design studio from Auckland, New Zealand. Established by partners Nathan Swaney & Ella Lilley-Gasteiger, Gestalt Studios pursues creative projects through Architecture, Interiors and Product Design. Nathan & Ella have combined their collective architectural experiences to realise new works with a focus on expertly crafted, well resolved spaces and objects. Throughout their practice, careful attention is paid to details, user experience and materials - allowing for a body of work that can move between single objects to larger architectural scales. Gestalt Studios are exhibiting their new body of work at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February and will not only be sharing that with ADW attendees, but are also collaborating with Critical to design a stool that sits around our table activation.

Panel moderator for Nanette Cameron School event

The Nanette Cameron School of Interior Design has been educated fledgling designers to push the bounds for 50 years. Their coordinator, Rachel, has a background in interior design and project management, working in both residential and commercial projects. She has practiced around the world, in Rome, London, Melbourne, and Auckland. Rachel has a passion to see students connect the dots and bring new appreciation and beauty to the spaces around them, making her the perfect candidate to lead a panel on bold and brave design

Lead speaker for HARO event

Richard is at the helm of HARO NZ, a premier provider of German-engineered timber flooring, wall, and ceiling products, including sports flooring. With over two decades of experience with a prominent appliance company, Richard now leads the HARO NZ business arm, choosing a company that resonates with his business philosophies and a profound commitment to sustainability—a legacy HARO German has maintained since the late 19th century.

Gestalt x Critical collab partner

As a Māori owned company, the founders of Critical believe that our wellbeing and our future depend on the mauri (life force) of te taiao (natural world). Therefore our life’s work is to uplift that mauri by caring for our planet. They started Critical because they wanted to be good tīpuna (ancestors) for future generations so their tamariki (children) can prosper for thousands of years to come. Climate change and plastics pollution are the defining challenges of our generation. In Aotearoa NZ, we import over 400K tonnes of new plastics, and send into landfill up to 330K tonnes of used plastics every year. Meanwhile 11% of global carbon emissions are from the production of building materials. At Critical, they are building both the products and the technology platform to transform plastic waste into beautiful, low carbon and endlessly recyclable materials to empower the next generation of buildings that will make our mokopuna proud. Rui co-founded Critical with the goal of building an enduring company that exists to manaaki (care for) people and land. As an architect by training he obsesses over making great products and cares deeply about the creative process designers often embark on to realise their projects.

Panelist for Arup’s most regenerative workspace event

Sarah oversees sustainability activities and manages brand quality across a diverse range of operations and projects, including the nine-block downtown heritage precinct of Britomart, The Hotel Britomart, luxury charter vessel MV Ata Rangi and The Landing, a 1000-acre heritage property and single-estate winery in the Bay of Islands.  This includes working with the different teams to create goals and report on progress annually across all elements of sustainability specific to the location and industry of each business.

Panelist at own speaker event

As a New Zealand based designer of furniture, lighting and beautiful objects for home and work, Tim sees inspiration everywhere - from a small detail on a historical building lit by a quality of light only found in Aotearoa, to an old tool found in the workshop of one of his talented makers. Concentrating on both the form and function of every piece and believes it’s imperative the two sit in harmony. Tim works closely with local manufacturers and craftsmen from concept sketches through to perfectly resolved products. In concert, they bring his designs to life through both handmade and technology based processes.

Panellist for future of fashion design panel

Wynn Crawshaw is the founder and Creative Director of Tamaki-based label Wynn Hamlyn. Wynn Hamlyn is the cross-section between two fundamental design principles - Innovation and Craft. Since its formation, close to a decade ago, Wynn Hamlyn has become known for its Signature Knitwear, Feminine dresses, and classic tailoring.