Meet our students and graduates

Vasilije Rakovic

“My aim after I graduate is to go back to Christchurch and help rebuild the CBD area after the devastation of the recent earthquakes. I want to be able to contribute my architectural expertise to the city that I have spent a large portion of my life living in. Architects are privileged for being able to change the lives of people, whether through the building of a new home or the renovation and saving of heritage buildings.

“The University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning has a reputation in the architectural industry as the place to get the best qualifications and design experience for your future career. This degree has allowed me to explore the greater design process, the highlight so far being the feeling of presenting a piece of work to a guest critic for the first time. A daunting, but personally informative experience.”

Vasilije Rakovic is currently studying for a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS).

Shirin Heidari

“I have wanted to study architecture since I was twelve, to have the opportunity to be creative in what I do and express myself in my own way.

“This degree has shown me a different way of looking at the world around me, and taught me how to be confident about my ideas and what I do.  I am more aware of how I form my thoughts and handle them and am learning how to make them real. I am learning about things that I have never thought about before like how we can change the future by design.

“I want to use my new skills to make amazing buildings and skyscrapers.  I also would love to try to make a difference by designing homes for people in poorer parts of the world who suffer from lack of housing.”

Shirin Heidari is currently studying for a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS).
 

Matt Ritani

"Architecture offers a unique challenge as we engage with the built environment in so many different ways. Our buildings have a strong reciprocal relationship with us as a society and as we continue into the future practising will be an increasingly chaotic and interesting arena.

"The Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS) appealed to me because it requires complex problem-solving and developing a wide range of skills, from conceptual critical thinking to pragmatic ‘real’ solutions. When I graduate I plan to practise, travel and create in many different ways. I am confident that the BAS will equip me to succeed in these endeavours."

Matt Ritani is currently studying for a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS).

 

Esther Mecredy

"I decided to study architecture because I believe it is a discipline that combines creativity and practicality. During my last year of high school I attended a lecture by a professor at The University of Auckland who spoke of architecture as a vehicle of progress and problem-solving. I chose Auckland because of this philosophy and the School’s international reputation.
 
The best part of working in a studio is the constant discussion of ideas and company during intense periods of production. The most challenging and rewarding moments have been realising my designs through the building of structures at a human scale."

Esther has recently completed a Bachelor of Architectural Studies (BAS).

 

Jacob Lawrence

“At high school I was always interested in geography and a teacher suggested that I consider studying planning when I left school. Almost four years on, I am stoked with my choice.

“Studying planning at The University of Auckland has allowed me to develop core planning competencies as well as skills across a range of disciplines including law, design, economics, statistics and environmental science. In your fourth and final year you undertake a research project which provides an opportunity to work on an area of planning you are particularly passionate about. For me this has involved research into surf break protection. After graduating I am looking forward to applying the skills developed through the Bachelor of Planning by working as a planning consultant, with the intent to specialise in coastal planning applications.”

Jacob Lawrence is currently in his fourth year of a Bachelor of Planning (BPlan).

Courtney Bennett

“I wanted to become a planner so I could help shape the built environment within my community. I loved the idea that one day I would be able to walk down a road that was once just a drawing on my desk. Working with iwi is an area of planning that I would like to get into once I graduate.

“Auckland provides a very broad degree which allows students to be exposed to many different aspects of planning. My favourite thing about the degree is the small class size because, unlike other degrees, everybody knows each other
well and we have a lot of fun together. So far I have learnt that there is complex thought and process behind every decision that is made when it comes to planning. It means you need to think critically in many different ways which is a
skill that we are encouraged to develop.”

Courtney Bennett is currently in her first year of a Bachelor of Planning (BPlan).

Jayesh Parekh

“I never knew what planning was or that it even existed until the end of high school. I was very interested in graphics but also concerned with other aspects of design and planning was recommended to me by my teachers.

The best part of planning is the fact that it always seems to keep you interested because it covers such a broad range of things. It’s also quite fun because the people here are very close.

After I graduate I am thinking of gaining experience in the New Zealand workplace and then maybe travelling overseas for a couple of years to experience the planning profession in other countries and to broaden my general knowledge.”

Jayesh is currently studying for a Bachelor of Planning (BPlan).



 

Rhezza Layco

“I chose to study Planning as it incorporates my passion for people and the environment. In our studios we get practical opportunities to explore current environmental issues planners face and their possible solutions.

I will be proud to graduate from The University of Auckland.  It has reputation of academic excellence and a history of producing some of New Zealand’s best planners, and it continues to provide practical papers coordinated by expert lecturers.

Planning is not just about hard work.  We’re a close-knit school and I have made friends across all the year levels.”

Rhezza is currently studying for a Bachelor of Planning (BPlan).

 

Julie Anne Genter

Julie Anne Genter completed her undergraduate study at the University of California (Berkeley), then spent several years in France before moving to New Zealand. She gained a Master of Planning Practice with first class honours from The University of Auckland in 2008, and has focussed on research and solutions in transport economics and urban design throughout her career. She is passionate about sustainable transport, and at the time of filming, was standing for Parliament as a member of the Green Party. She is now one of the 14 Greens in Parliament, who were all elected from the party list.

Nat Cheshire

Nat Cheshire calls himself a "delineator", but this title does no justice to his varied and extensive practice in his architectural firm. Awarded "best building guy" by Metro in their Best of Auckland issue (December 2010) for his "very beautiful interior fitouts" in two Britomart buildings, Nat has gone a long way past his original ambition to be a fine artist with plenty of time to surf.

"My architectural ambitions are global, but I chose to study and work in Auckland because of the openness to new ideas and freedom of architectural expression we have in New Zealand."

Namita Kambli

“After completing my undergraduate education in India I decided that I wanted to study abroad to see a different part of the world. I opted for The University of Auckland not only because it is New Zealand’s top university but also because Auckland is internationally renowned as one of the world’s most liveable cities!

A PhD is both challenging and stimulating but the support from my supervisors, colleagues and the Student Learning Centre has been remarkable. The past two and a half years have taught me perseverance, discipline and time management while sharpening my research skills.”

Namita Kambli is a PhD candidate in Architecture and the recipient of a University of Auckland International Doctoral Scholarship.

Manini Hallikeri

"I have always been interested in geography, but as an undergraduate student I studied tourism. After working and travelling in New Zealand and overseas, I became more interested in pursuing a career path that enabled me to incorporate my interest in geography with my new found interests in law, politics and how people shape and are shaped by their surrounding environment.

"I was awarded a Summer Scholarship in 2010/2011 to work on a research project that followed on from an assignment I completed in one of the studio papers. The skills I have learned during this programme include learning how to undertake independent research, communicating ideas effectively through sound reasoning, learning how to use Photoshop, learning how to problem-solve in groups and many more!"

Manini Hallikeri is in her final year of a Master of Planning Practice (MPlanPrac).
 

Eva Segedin

"As a previous graduate of The University of Auckland, it was an easy decision to continue my studies at the same institution, especially as the staff were very supportive about my decision to study part time while working full-time.  In particular my supervisor, Dr Hugh Byrd, has been very supportive of my studies and has helped me quickly expand my knowledge of sustainable design.  Dr Byrd also works in private practice so he was able to relate to my situation, making my transition from practitioner to student easier.  I have enjoyed furthering my knowledge of sustainable residential architecture so that I can apply it in practice to my work."

Eva Segedin is currently studying for a Master of Architecture (MArch) – in Sustainable Design.
 

Emma Fergusson

"When I started my Master of Planning Practice in 2008 I was hoping to work in the area of environmental policy in local or central government. The degree appealed to me because it gave me a professionally recognised qualification in just two years, and had a combination of taught courses, studio work and research.

I finished my MPlanPrac. at the end of last year, and, having discovered that my first love is really research, I’ve come back to start my PhD in Planning.  I wouldn’t have committed to another three years here if I didn’t think it was a great place to be.  The staff are passionate about their teaching and research, and they make research students feel like part of the community.  There’s a lovely camaraderie among the PhD. students, too; I don’t feel isolated, which is a common experience for those writing theses.  All going according to plan, I’ll graduate in 2013.  I’m not sure where I’ll end up yet – teaching, research, or local government – but I’m going to have some pretty cool options."

Emma Fergusson is currently studying for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Planning.
 

Nicola Albiston

Geography was Nicola's favourite subject at school. Her strength in the subject combined with an interest in design led naturally to studying planning for her undergraduate degree, which in turn awakened a passion for urban design.

"[In New Zealand] we're facing the same issues as other urban communities around the world -- the energy crisis, sustainable living and the integration of solutions... It's not just about design, but also sequencing, funding, proper consultation, working with communities to get it right. Real integration is about finding 'mutually reinforcing outcomes', meaning you try to get multiple benefits for every dollar you spend."