Sally Holdgate
Sally Holdgate is the founder and director of Sally Holdgate Architecture (originally EA Architects Studio). Hamilton-born, her path has taken her through Melbourne, London, Auckland and Tauranga, with each place adding something different to how she thinks about design and the people who live with it.
Twenty years across local and international award-winning practices have taken her from bespoke homes and industrial renovations to community centres, sporting facilities, schools and large-scale public work, in roles spanning Principal Architect, Project Architect Lead, and Design Manager. It's given her both the design eye and a very high level of technical grounding to see a project through from start to finish.
A Registered Architect with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board, Sally brings a collaborative, considered approach to every project, grounded in a genuine belief that good architecture changes how people experience the places they live, learn and work.
Beyond the studio, Sally is a wife and mother who finds inspiration in travel, the outdoors, and time with family. She is also a practising artist, having exhibited and sold work across New Zealand, Australia and the UK. It's her habit of looking closely at detail that carries her through both design & technical work.
How many people are in your team?
I work with a trusted group of sub-consultants and consultants, the right people for each project - many of whom I've worked alongside for many years. That familiarity matters as it means less time spent getting a new team up to speed, and more of the project going smoothly for the client.
What type of architect would you describe yourself as?
I care equally about design and technical detailing, whereas most architects lean toward one. In practice that means fewer surprises later. Considering the beautiful idea and the buildable, consentable version of it from day one makes our projects a success.
How would you describe your design style?
I’m influenced by architecture and design from both in New Zealand and around the world. I’m particularly passionate about a style that’s timeless and refined, defined by raw, robust materials chosen for their longevity. In New Zealand we have a tendency to build for the short term, and I believe we can and should do better, even with a constrained budget. Buildings should be built to last, and that philosophy runs through everything we do.
What community contributions have you made?
I am an active contributor to the architectural and property community in the Golden Triangle, regularly attending networking and community events to connect with like-minded people and stay engaged with the industries I work in. I spoke at the NZIA Great Debate on the future of Hamilton's Garden Place, sharing my vision for a vibrant, safer, and more pedestrian-friendly city centre, an event covered by the Waikato Times (read the article here). Most recently, I presented at the NZ Property Council Women in Architecture event in Hamilton, speaking on the topic of Succession Pathways. I am passionate about sharing my experiences and helping to shape the future of the profession, particularly for those working in the construction industry.