Gold Pin for Jason Lai

Jason was nominated for his future focussed Motuihe Island project, which explores how architecture might change amid rising seas and changing coastlines. With vulnerable coastal conditions on the rise, Jason’s thesis proposes a new architecture that engages flexibly, changing and revealing itself with rising waters and erosion.

The Designers Institute of New Zealand’s Best Awards were established in the mid 1970’s to recognise the work of NZ’s leading graphic designers. The prestigious awards have since evolved to include spatial projects and product design. Jason was awarded the Gold Pin – or best in category – in the Student Spatial discipline.

Jason's Motuihe Island project explores how architecture might change amid rising seas and changing coastlines.

Joining our retail and interiors team in 2018, Jason has worked with some of New Zealand’s best-known brands to design fresh, unique flagship concepts. That includes Liquor King’s new flagship design that’s changing the way Kiwis shop for alcohol by providing shoppers with meaningful, tailored experiences in-store.

Jason was also pivotal in the development of pop-up shopfront designs for the opening of Westfield Newmarket, working closely with our clients at Scentre Group to design innovative shopfronts that would marry with the world-class retail precinct. As he continues to hone his skills as a budding architect, Jason now supports our residential and commercial project teams.

As Context Principal Murray Jervis explains, “In the two years I’ve been working with Jason, he is always ready to take new ideas on board. He listens carefully to feedback and learns from the mentoring offered to him through his peers and leaders.”

“Jason embraces an easy understanding of conceptual ideas and produces quick and effective responses to design problems, iterating continuously to iron out wrinkles and arrive at the best outcome for our clients and their customers,” says Murray.

Congratulations Jason , we’re lucky to have you!