Our People

Stephen brings a strong drive for excellence in design and construction, and sets very high standards for himself and the CCA team. His aim with any project, large or small, is to create quality, site-specific design solutions that respect context whilst meeting the more pragmatic requirements of space, function, budget & timeframe in creative and carefully considered ways. He brings design ability, a high level of technical expertise and overall leadership and management skills to the practice and has broad experience across all aspects of design and construction.

Stephen is passionate about high performance sustainable design that results in comfortable interior environments and low energy usage. He has undertaken training in the German Passive House standard of building; a rigorous method of designing and constructing buildings that result in extremely low energy use and high levels of comfort. He also has an interest in prefabricated construction techniques to achieve greater efficiency, safer construction processes and better quality buildings.

In 2019, Stephen was appointed as a registration assessor for the New Zealand Registered Architects Board.

Stephen served as a volunteer Civil Defence Responder in the Hagley-Ferrymead ward for 15 years, working his way up to Deputy Team Leader. He participated in several CD Centre activations during the earthquakes, Port Hills fires & flood events.

In his spare time he enjoys walking tracks in Canterbury and the Port Hills and driving his WWII military Jeep.

Since then he has progressed from Graduate to Registered Architect to Director, and uses this experience to foster team development. He has strong organisational and technical skills, and proven capabilities as project architect on many of our key projects.

He is passionate about residential architecture, and enjoys working closely with clients to explore what is most important to them in their home. He enjoys building strong relationships with clients, consultants and contractors, and will ensure that you are a valued member of the team working on your project.

Greg’s 15 minutes of fame came when his ‘Walnut Cottage’ project was featured on Season 8 of Grand Designs New Zealand in 2023. You’ll have to twist his arm to get him talking about it though (just kidding – seriously, don’t get him started!).

Greg is actively involved in his local community, having spent nearly 10 years as chairperson of the Beckenham Neighbourhood Association. In this role he has been able to make use of his professional skills by advocating for local residents when communicating with Christchurch City Council planners about flooding hazards and character area rules that affect properties in the neighbourhood which is known for its river and bungalows.

Outside of work Greg is an avid fan of Formula One, or for something quieter he enjoys gardening and cooking.

He rejoined the team when he returned home in 2021, and was made an Associate in 2023. He has brought in some new ideas from his time overseas working in both high-end private residential and developer lead medium density residential work.

He believes that good architecture results from an intimate understanding of how buildings work, coupled with careful consideration of the way people use them.

He is involved in the design, documentation and observation phase of projects, and has worked on an array of residential projects ranging from small alterations projects to high-end new builds.

He enjoys the process of crafting architecture with particular interest in efficient form and use of natural materials. Outside of work, Brian enjoys spending time travelling and being outdoors with his family.

Fred graduated with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies in 2019 and has worked predominantly on residential projects, alongside light commercial and medical work. She joined CCA in early 2026 and enjoys the variety that comes with the role in a small practice.

She particularly enjoys the early concept modelling, nutting out technical details, and finding new ways to solve the problems a design throws up along the way.

She holds the view that architecture should enhance its surroundings rather than dominate the landscape — so that people, flora and fauna can carry on thriving alongside each other.

She worked at PwC for several years after graduating before moving to Holcim NZ as a management accountant for nine years. Vicky joined the practice part-time as our office administrator in 2016.

A pursuit of new adventures and professional opportunities brought her to Aotearoa, and she’s eager to further her career at Chaplin Crooks Architects.

As a self-described perfectionist, Zita provides a high standard of service and commitment, always with the client as a priority. Zita has 11 years of professional experience, and has worked on a broad range of projects, including residential alterations, commercial, and government buildings. She is especially interested in sustainable building technologies and materials. In her free time, you can find her practicing yoga, spending time with friends and family, or being outdoors.