Jia Ying-Hew

MArch (Prof)

Senior Architectural Designer

‘Form…follows…function,’ Hew says.  ‘I personally don’t like a building that looks pretty but inside you don’t feel comfortable,’ Malaysian born Hew (pronounced Hue) whose first name is actually Jiaying (but goes by her surname Hew since New Zealanders find it easier to say) won an architectural scholarship to Victoria University where she went on to gain her Masters.

Now an Intermediate Architectural Graduate at Isthmus Hew says, ‘I enjoy designing public buildings because I like creating spaces for people to interact in. However designing residential housing, which I currently do a lot of, means I’m helping to  provide homes for people. And whatever the brief, a structure can enrich a neighbourhood.

‘I think experimentation is key. Because you can’t always just do the same thing, in the same way. Every project is unique. When you have a new idea by necessity you’ll have to experiment. Even just the way you are working might not be efficient enough so you have to experiment with that!

‘On Westhill Stage 2 the client had a strict budget in order to ensure the houses were modestly priced. We worked with very simple forms. And spent the time on proportion and colour. We kept construction simple. I prefer a minimalist architecture style. But of course, you have to do a whole lot more to make a project more meaningful than just looking at aesthetics.’

Hew’s Masters of Architecture from Victoria University thesis The Dam Archive was about designing museums to preserve the history of the 8 dams along the Waikato River.