Claire Natusch
Claire grew up in rural Bay of Plenty before moving to Auckland to study architecture. Shes favours a collaborative approach to design and enjoys the process of working with clients, builder and the ultimate inhabitants, to create spaces that work. Claire has always been drawn to the craft and assembly of architecture and it was this that drew her to the award winning practice Mitchell & Stout Architects where she worked for 8 years on civic and residential projects.
Whilst there, she oversaw the design and delivery of Te Uru Contemporary Gallery and the refurbishment of Lopdell House in Titirangi. This regional art gallery was designed to accommodate a range of exhibitions; from small intimate ceramic pieces to large installations. The gallery won the 2015 NZIA National Award for Public Buildings and was a World Architecture Festival finalist.
Claire was also part of the small team that designed the first New Zealand pavilion at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2014. The exhibition ‘Last, Loneliest, Loveliest’ was well received and listed as one of the top 25 to visit by Wallpaper magazine. The following year she was one of three finalists in the Emerging Design Professional Awards run by Interior Magazine.
In 2016 she moved to London and worked at architecture firm DSDHA on the grade II listed 1960’s icon The Smithson Plaza, designed by Alison and Peter Smithson. She was responsible for the upgrade of the plaza and street level spaces including the conversion of the existing carpark to a private art gallery.
Experience
OPL
Registered Architect / Director
Mar 2019 to present
DSDHA, London
Senior Architect
Dec 2016 to Aug 2018
Project architect within the public realm and residential sectors with responsibilities from client liaison, design, construction documentation and onsite observation.
Mitchell & Stout
Senior Architect
Dec 2009 to Sept 2016
Venice Architecture Biennale
‘Last, Loneliest, Loveliest’
2014
A member of the team that won the competition to design NZ’s first pavilion at the Venice Biennale. The exhibition was shortlisted by Wallpaper* in their guide of shows not to miss.
Key Projects
DSDHA, London
2018 Ebury Bridge Apartments
2018 St Pancras Square,
Urban Design Strategy
2016-18 Smithson Plaza
Venice Biennale
2014 NZ Pavilion
Mitchell & Stout Architects
2015-2016 Ao Marama Retreat
2015-2016 Ngati Hine,
Community Health Centre.
2009-15 Te Uru Waitakere Contemporary Gallery
2012-16 Hastings Civic Square
2009-15 Lopdell House
2010-11 Lake Pupuke House
Qualifications
Registered Architect
New Zealand Registered Architects Board
2015
Bachelor of Architectural Studies
University of Auckland
2004 - 2006
Bachelor of Architecture (Hons)
University of Auckland
2007 - 2008
Awards
2015 AGM Interior Awards - Emerging Design Professional - Finalist.
2015 World Architecture Festival - Cultural Finalist for Te Uru Contemporary Gallery. (Mitchell & Stout Architects)
2015 NZIA National Award - Public Buildings- Te Uru Contemporary Gallery (Mitchell & Stout Architects)
2015 NZIA Auckland Architecture Award - Lake Pupuke House (Mitchell & Stout Architects)
2006 ‘Mission-in-the-City’ - Open ideas competition- Winner, Junior student.