Meet the team behind ARCHDES Evolution
Every home we design starts with a conversation, and the people on the other side of that conversation matter. You'll be trusting us with one of the biggest projects of your life, so we think you should know who you're working with before you sit down with us.
Since 2016, ARCHDES Evolution has grown into a friendly, flexible and focused team of designers, technicians and studio support across the Bay of Plenty and our Waikato office, born in the Bay with designs built from Northland to Southland. Here's the crew.
How the team fits together
Our architectural designers work with you from the first brief through concept and developed design, shaping the spaces, the form and the feel of your home. Our architectural technicians turn that design into the detailed documentation Council and your builder need: consent drawings, specifications and construction details. Behind them, our studio team keeps every project, meeting and invoice moving. Your project gets all three, and they talk to each other every day.
Sam Austen | FOUNDER, DIRECTOR & LEAD DESIGNER
Sam founded ARCHDES Evolution in 2016 to build a practice that pairs exceptional design with genuine client relationships. He has 18 years in the industry. After finishing his studies, he worked in a range of architectural practices and even spent time with a building company, keeping professional connections he still values today.
His career has covered everything from small standalone homes for first-time buyers to large luxury residences. He has collaborated on and led large-scale multi-unit work, including superlot developments in Hobsonville, a 24-villa retirement village in Waikanae and a 72-lot development at Jack's Point in Queenstown, where ARCHDES led the architectural works across several years. He's passionate about both design and business, and loves helping clients unlock the potential of their sites.
Qualifications: Dip.Arch · LBP Design 2 · ADNZ Professional Member · Qualified Homestar Designer · UC Professional Project Management
Project experience: Residential, multi-unit developments, duplexes and townhouses, culturally significant projects, commercial
Outside the studio you'll find me: Mountain biking or hanging with my dog.
Matthew Bayly | DESIGN MANAGER & LEAD DESIGNER
Matthew has 13 years in the industry and joined ARCHDES in 2021. Some would call him the backbone of our Bay of Plenty studio: he's the go-to for both creative and technical clarity. He holds a Master of Architecture (Professional) (Hons) from the University of Auckland.
He began his career in building surveying and remediation, which gave him strong insight into building defects and durable, weathertight detailing. He brings that to everything from renovations and new builds to townhouses of 2 to 8 units and superlot developments like Jack's Point, along with remedial work and fit-outs for light commercial, retail and warehouse/office buildings.
Qualifications: BAS · MArch(Prof)(Hons) · LBP Design 2
Project experience: Residential (economy homes to high-spec executive living), multi-unit and townhouse developments, commercial
Outside the studio you’ll find me: At the beach with my dog.
Riley Jones | SENIOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGNER
Riley leads our Waikato office. Now back in his home region, he's driving the growth of our Waikato presence. He joined ARCHDES in 2025 with 8 years in the industry, including large development projects in Auckland that he took from concept through to completion and handover.
He has spent two years leading large-scale residential design and documentation, including a 76-unit mixed-typology project with JOALs and civil works, and has delivered culturally responsive design using patterned brickwork, embedded motifs and bespoke features that reflect local identity. He's just as at home on urban homes, lifestyle blocks and rural properties, and enjoys helping clients move through the design process with confidence.
Qualifications: Dip.Arch · LBP Design 2 · Homestar Fundamentals · Homestar Designer · Homestar Assessor
Project experience: Residential, multi-unit developments, duplexes and townhouses, culturally significant projects
Aaron Henstock | ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN
Aaron joined us with 5 years in the industry and a BAS (Bachelor of Architecture). He makes sure what's drawn can be consented and built, with documentation that gives Council and your builder fewer questions.
His residential work runs from entry-level spec homes to high-end multi-million-dollar residences, plus renovations from minor alterations to full redesigns. He spent two years on a large bespoke retirement village in Ōmokoroa, and his commercial work is wonderfully varied: rotary milking sheds, large agricultural buildings, warehouses and offices, and mixed-use industrial with apartments and retail. That variety is exactly what he loves about architecture.
Qualification: BAS - Bachelor of Architecture
Project experience: Residential, multi-unit developments, commercial and agricultural
Outside the studio you’ll find me: Fishing on the boat.
Zach Duurentijdt | JUNIOR ARCHITECTURAL TECHNICIAN
Zach joined the team in 2026 as a graduate architectural technician, with a Diploma in Architectural Technology and a Bachelor in Creative Industries. Before that, he spent over two years on the tools, working on renovations in Tauranga and energy-efficient new builds in Christchurch.
He now brings that on-site perspective to the studio, working alongside our senior technicians to turn ideas into thoughtful, buildable design.
Qualifications: Diploma in Architectural Technology · Bachelor in Creative Industries
Brie Roberts | ADMINISTRATION & MARKETING
Brie looks after both administration and marketing. From coordinating the day-to-day running of the studio to managing our marketing and brand presence, she keeps everything behind the scenes running smoothly for clients and the team alike.
Outside the studio you’ll find me: At the beach or trying a new cafe.
Come and say hello
It all starts with you. Whether you're weighing up a section, planning an alteration or ready to start a new build, we'd love to hear about it. Get in touch for a coffee and a chat, and you'll meet the people who'll bring your project to life.
THE EVOLUTION OF GREAT DESIGN