Tim Chaplin has been with the firm for 12 years and is currently a Director and Senior Design Manager, overseeing operations and guiding the overall management of the company. He holds a Diploma in Architectural Design and brings over 20 years of experience, with a focus on delivering enjoyable, collaborative, and pragmatic architecture. Tim combines strong design sensibilities with innovative problem-solving, building lasting relationships with clients and advocating for the best outcomes on every project.

He finds inspiration in turning client visions into reality, working across disciplines, and championing human-centred design that leaves a meaningful impact. When not in the office, Tim enjoys mountain biking, spending time with his family, and keeping busy with creative DIY projects at home, always looking for hands-on challenges and ways to stay engaged.

Anthony believes that the best projects come from lasting relationships built on trust and integrity. He knows that when passion and ability coincide, great people deliver great results.

Anthony holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and has been practicing continuously since graduating. With this solid foundation, his enthusiasm and passion underpins his ability to draw on people's strengths and skills to produce and delivery exceptional design outcomes.

Combining his design skills with his passion for strategic planning, finance, and team building in architecture, Anthony has pursued management training. He is a member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects and the Order of Malta KMG. He has served as Deputy Chair of Zimele, an Edmund Rice Foundation Charity, and Deputy Chair of Sacred Heart College Geelong's School Advisory Committee. He was also Chair of the College's Planning and Facilities Subcommittee.

Steven provides design leadership across the practice, working with a team of architects to develop an architectural language for each project that is unique and appropriate for that project's context.

Steven specialises in environmentally sustainable design and believes that through intelligent design we can reduce operational costs and produce greener buildings. He encourages ongoing collaboration between clients, consultants and our team, encouraging a shared effort to design solutions that balance time, cost and quality.

Having studied Architecture at Melbourne University, Steven gives back to his alma mater through active participation in governance of his former residential college. He is the Chair of Newman College's Building Committee and a member of the Newman College Council.

Ursula has over 20 years of architectural experience in New Zealand and has been a key member of the BCN team since joining the practice in 2016. She is a Partner and Project Architect, a Registered Architect, and holds a Bachelor of Architecture from Victoria University of Wellington. Ursula leads master planning and design for education and commercial projects, guiding work from early concept through to delivery while coordinating consultant teams and mentoring emerging architects within the studio.

Ursula is particularly passionate about community-focused design, especially within the education sector where projects are shaped by genuine community need. She values clear communication and collaborative processes that enable everyone involved to take ownership of the design process and take pride in the outcome. Her approach focuses on making thoughtful decisions about where design effort and investment can have the greatest impact on the human experience.

She finds the greatest satisfaction in seeing projects come to life and positively influence the daily experiences of the people who use them.

Sarah is a Partner and Architectural Designer with extensive experience in both residential and commercial projects. She holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology and is a Licensed Building Practitioner - Design Level 2. Having joined BCN in 2025 after several years with Noordanus Architects, Sarah leads design across a variety of projects, liaises with clients, oversees documentation and consultant coordination, mentors junior team members, and works closely with builders and contractors during construction, including site observation and contract management.

Her expertise lies in technical detailing and understanding how structures and materials come together, supported by her early years working on building sites. Sarah enjoys residential projects and takes satisfaction in seeing her clients’ ideas realised, while fostering collaborative relationships with clients, consultants, and contractors. When not in the office, she is a keen skier, water skier, and mountain biker, embracing active outdoor pursuits whenever she can.

Chris is a Partner and Design Manager with over 20 years of architectural experience across the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He holds a Bachelor of Design from CPIT and joined the firm in 2020, leading design on education, residential, and commercial projects. Chris oversees documentation, coordinates with consultants, mentors junior team members, liaises with clients, and contributes to overall office management.

He is particularly drawn to concept and front-end design, with hands-on experience in onsite construction and problem-solving. Chris enjoys seeing projects evolve from sketches into fully realised, functional spaces and is inspired by thoughtful design that fosters community connection. In his free time, he is a keen runner and mountain biker, enjoys weekend adventures in the outdoors, and is an avid rugby and NRL fan.

Sal MacDonald is a Partner at BCN with over 20 years of industry experience, joining the practice in 2023. Since beginning her career as an architectural designer in 2006, she has built a diverse portfolio across a wide range of sectors, including bespoke high-end residential homes, multi-residential developments, healthcare facilities, commercial workplaces, hotels, retail spaces, and hospitality environments.

At BCN, Sal leads the design of commercial, health, hospitality, and residential projects, while also contributing to the firm’s HR leadership. She is passionate about delivering high-quality design solutions that enhance the built environment and support healthy outcomes for people. She approaches every project with care and attention, striving to create meaningful, engaging spaces that enrich the experience of those who interact with them. Genuine client engagement is central to her process, allowing her to uncover project-specific needs and apply imaginative thinking to unlock each project’s full potential while working within its constraints.

Abhi brings over a decade of experience across manufacturing technologies and architectural practice in New Zealand. With a background in mechanical engineering and advanced certifications in CAD, CAM, CNC, and CAE, Abhi joined BCN in 2022 as a Senior Architectural Technician. His day-to-day work involves translating client ideas into detailed technical documentation, with a focus on consenting, construction coordination, and technical precision. He has a strong interest in modular sustainable design and passive fire protection within buildings, and is passionate about solving complex design challenges through collaboration.

Outside the office, Abhi enjoys exploring local café scene, motorcycle rides and playing guitar. He’s also currently working towards his Licensed Building Practitioner registration (Design Level 2), continuing to grow his expertise in the field.

Adrià is a Registered Architect with a Master of Architecture from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia, and brings over a decade of architectural experience across New Zealand and Indonesia. He joined the BCN team in 2022 and plays a key role in multi-residential refurbishments. Adrià's work spans client-focused design, consultant coordination, documentation, and contract administration, and he’s a mentor to junior team members within the studio.

He has a strong interest in passive design and carbon footprint analysis, and is passionate about delivering elegant, buildable solutions through careful detailing and collaboration. When not at BCN, Adrià enjoys playing football and mountaineering around New Zealand’s backcountry, always chasing a new trail or peak.

Detail-oriented and technically driven, Amy is an Architectural Designer with more than 20 years experience across the construction sector in Australia and New Zealand. She joined BCN in early 2021 and holds a NZ Diploma in Architectural Technology (Level 6) from Ara Institute of Canterbury.

Amy works across a broad range of projects, guiding design and delivery from early concept and feasibility through to developed design, consenting, and construction documentation. She coordinates closely with clients, consultants, and stakeholders, manages BIM processes and documentation standards, and supports projects through the construction phase to ensure they are realised as intended. Her strong knowledge of building processes, practical application of the New Zealand Building Code, and experience in site and contractor management underpin her work.

A Homestar v5 Assessor and Green Star Accredited Professional – Buildings with the New Zealand Green Building Council, Amy has a particular interest in sustainable design and technically complex projects. She enjoys translating complex requirements into clear, buildable solutions and finds satisfaction in seeing well-coordinated design evolve into buildings that perform and endure.

Brendon brings 20 years of architectural experience across Australia and New Zealand to BCN. Since joining in 2018, he has focused on CAD documentation and coordination with consultant teams, while mentoring junior staff and supporting technical project reviews. A Greenstar Accredited Professional, Brendon is passionate about sustainable building design and has extensive experience in heritage restoration, adaptive reuse, and educational building projects.

His attention to detail, whether enhancing aesthetics or ensuring building durability, drives his commitment to quality outcomes. Beyond his role at BCN, Brendon enjoys camping, mountain biking, gardening, and photography, finding inspiration in the natural world and the way people engage with built environments.

Bruce is a Senior Architectural Technician with more than three decades of experience working on projects throughout Australia and New Zealand. Since joining the firm in 2020, he has been a central part of the technical delivery of projects, focusing on high-quality documentation and supporting projects through construction via contract administration. He also plays an important role in guiding and supporting junior team members within the studio.

With a strong focus on precision, Bruce takes pride in developing accurate building models and clear, well-coordinated documentation. He is motivated by problem-solving and the opportunity to refine processes through continuous improvement. Outside of work, Bruce is an enthusiastic motorcyclist who enjoys a good road trip, spending time reading, and unwinding with a well-made drama series.

Darren joined the firm in 2024 as a Project Architect, following more than two decades of architectural practice in New Zealand and the UK. He holds a Master of Architecture from the University of Huddersfield and is registered with the NZRAB. Darren leads the design of Ministry of Education new-build and refurbishment projects, with responsibility for consultant coordination, documentation, and contributing to project reviews, while also supporting the development of junior team members.

His experience includes large-scale mixed-use urban regeneration projects, alongside a long-standing interest in passive architectural design. Darren is drawn to architecture that has a meaningful social impact and enjoys the collaborative problem-solving that occurs across all stages of a project, from early concepts through to detailed delivery. Away from BCN, he is a keen mountain biker and cyclist, often heading away in his camper van to spend weekends outdoors tramping, skiing, fishing, paddle-boarding, and sometimes even scuba diving.

Elliot joined Noordanus Architects in 2022 as a graduate, working under the mentorship of William Noordanus, and has since progressed into an Architectural Technician role. He holds a Bachelor of Architectural Studies from the ARA Institute of Canterbury and began working regularly with BCN in 2024. Elliot contributes to a wide range of project types, including residential, commercial, education, healthcare, and industrial work, with a primary focus on architectural documentation and the production of clear, well-resolved construction drawings.

His interests sit largely within modern residential architecture, particularly the transformation of dated buildings into contemporary, dynamic spaces. Elliot enjoys the process of seeing ideas move from drawings to built form and values the collaborative nature of studio work, drawing on the experience and knowledge of his colleagues to inform his own approach. When not in the office, he is committed to fitness through regular gym training and enjoys taking part in team sports.

Jacqui is BCN's Accounts Administrator and has been keeping the office running smoothly since joining in 2018. She manages accounts and consultant liabilities, ensuring that the behind-the-scenes operations of BCN are organised and efficient. Jacqui plays an essential role in supporting the team, helping projects stay on track by keeping the administrative side of the business humming.

While not an architect herself, Jacqui enjoys working with the team and being part of a collaborative, creative environment. She values the camaraderie and energy of the office and takes satisfaction in knowing her work helps enable the architects to focus on delivering great projects.

Kristina completed a Master of Architecture (Professional) at Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, and then joined BCN in 2023 as an Architectural Graduate. She brings five years of experience from architectural practices in Wellington and Christchurch and is involved in the design and documentation of large-scale education projects. Her role includes coordinating with consultants and continuing to build her understanding of building systems and the construction industry.

Kristina has a particular interest in pre-emptive disaster relief architecture and the Christchurch rebuild, alongside a focus on creating thoughtful, functional spaces for the communities who use them. She enjoys seeing education projects take shape on site and the positive impact they will have once completed. In her free time, Kristina is training for long-distance triathlons and plays oboe in a local community orchestra, while working toward becoming a registered architect in the coming years.

Mina combines over a decade of architectural experience from Iran and New Zealand, with a Bachelor of Science in Architectural Engineering from Tehran. Since joining BCN Architects in September 2024, she has worked across all stages of projects, from early concept workshops and client meetings to consultant coordination and detailed construction drawings for Building Consent.

Mina is particularly drawn to creating spaces that foster community and bring people together. She enjoys the variety each project offers, from exploring materials and sustainability to responding to cultural and social contexts, and finds inspiration in the lasting impact thoughtful design can have on how people live and connect. Outside of work, Mina enjoys hiking and spending time with her little one, balancing adventure with everyday family life.

Niña has been part of the firm since 2021, developing her skills as an Architectural Graduate while contributing to a wide range of education projects. She works closely on design concepts in line with Ministry of Education standards, producing detailed drawings and technical documentation, coordinating with consultants and contractors, and supporting site analysis and space planning with a focus on durability, accessibility, and sustainability. Niña also prepares visualisations, renderings, and presentation material to support client and stakeholder meetings.

Her interests centre on creating learning environments tailored to diverse educational needs, with a strong commitment to fostering spaces that encourage community engagement and social cohesion. She finds it rewarding to see ideas evolve into functional, creative spaces that improve people’s daily lives while promoting sustainability and connection. In her spare time, Niña is a 'brunch connoisseur' on a quest for the perfect big breakfast, dabbles in music across a few instruments, and enjoys keeping active as a gym enthusiast.

Pete is a Registered Architect with over 20 years of experience in practice. He holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) from Victoria University of Wellington and joined the firm in 2025 and is based in Marlborough. Pete leads the design of educational and medium-density residential projects, overseeing documentation, consultant coordination, and supporting project reviews while mentoring junior team members.

He has a strong interest in residential and urban design, with experience across large-scale education and healthcare projects, as well as residential refurbishments and new builds. Pete enjoys seeing ideas evolve into lived-in spaces and is driven by thoughtful, human-centred design and collaborative problem-solving.

Outside the office, he’s a keen mountain biker and enjoys weekend adventures exploring by caravan.

Samantha joined the practice in 2025 following thirteen years with Noordanus Architects, bringing a career-long commitment to the Christchurch built environment. With a BA (Hons) from the University of Canterbury, she offers a unique perspective on how the social history of medicine informs the design of modern healthcare environments.

​Samantha specialises in the full lifecycle of healthcare projects, from initial feasibility and briefing through to technical documentation and delivery. She is deeply familiar with AusHFG guidelines and the complexities of healthcare design, prioritising a balance between clinical requirements - such as infection prevention and control - and the human experience of the patient journey and whānau support.

​A Green Star Accredited Professional and a member of the NZIA and the New Zealand Health Design Council, Samantha also holds a National Diploma in Architectural Technology and has recently completed a qualification in Interior Décor. Outside the studio, she is a keen maker who enjoys the technical side of traditional crafts and exploring the Christchurch landscape.

Sharlene, or “Shar” to most, leads our Central Otago office as one of our Project Architects for projects in the region.

Shar provides valuable leadership, support, and communication between the Christchurch team and construction sites in the region. She is involved in all stages of projects from feasibilities, masterplanning, design workshops and concept development, right through to consultant coordination, building consent documentation and management, construction monitoring, client and stakeholder collaboration.

She has over 20 years of architectural experience across Australia and New Zealand and joined the firm in 2022 as a Registered Architect. She holds multiple qualifications, including a Master of Architecture and a Bachelor of Design in Architectural Studies from Queensland University of Technology, as well as a Bachelor of Design in Interior Architecture from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology . Shar has a diverse portfolio spanning high-end residential and holiday homes, medium-density housing, aged care, healthcare, schools, childcare, religious spaces, commercial interiors, and regional planning projects. Her work emphasises quality materials, spatial experience, and careful continuity from exterior design through to interior detailing.

Shar is motivated by the way architecture connects people to place and fosters dialogue within communities. She is very enthusiastic about sharing her love of architecture, knowledge, mentoring colleagues, and exploring the creative possibilities of design. During her free time, she enjoys outdoor adventures; running, biking, camping, and water sports in Central Otago and Queenstown Lakes with her two children and border collie, and dabbles in creative pursuits of cartooning, journaling, arts and crafts with her kids.