Structural engineering
Jen and Joel Marsh of Pocket on bringing to life the designs we’ll all be wanting in 2024 and beyond.
What are the big trends you’re seeing in your field?
Big open sliders that are walls of doors, such as the project for O’Neil Architecture, above. No lintels in full-height doors and glazing. And we are seeing more louvres.
Why are these becoming popular?
Perhaps the continued desire for indoor-outdoor living. When we moved from the UK, the first thing we looked for in a home was the famous Kiwi indoor-outdoor flow. Increasing the amount of light and space to enhance that connection between outdoors and indoors is what a wall of glass with big open sliders will do. Here in New Zealand one of our greatest assets is our landscape, and in Christchurch those big blue skies are worth bragging about. Our office space on Southwark Street also boasts floor-to-ceiling glass windows, making the studio feel a lot more spacious and contributing to a more positive working environment. Covid-19 also had a huge part to play in people wanting to develop ways to make spaces feel bigger.
How can we make it happen?
For anyone with a passion for indoor- outdoor living, we recommend engaging an architect or architectural designer in any decision like this, as they are experts in spatial design. As engineers for architecture, we at Pocket are skillful at engineering solutions that optimise and celebrate the architecture and delight in seeing a finished project that works for the client, architect and community.
What are you working on now?
We are currently designing a small, round house with Bull O’Sullivan Architecture, above, with incredible views over Akaroa Harbour. The front elevation is a large wall of glass from floor to ceiling much like a modern-day lighthouse. The circular shape has certainly presented some significant design challenges, but we have risen to the task and are super excited to see this one under construction this year.
03 390 1588 | pocketeng.co.nz
““I love music. In jazz, playing
‘in the pocket’ is simply grooving, where the rhythm section is working as a unit. That’s the way we feel when a project is going well; we are all in the pocket – client, architect and engineer. It’s a great thing.””
