Take five with Sarah Cheetham
Sarah is our in-house architectural designer. She has a real knack for interpreting our client’s design dreams and bringing them to reality.
A question worth asking:
What is an Architectural Designer? Hi, I’m Sarah and this is my role at Emma Brown Design. I have a Bachelor degree in Architecture and a Masters degree in Interior Architecture. I also have my LBP Design 2 which allows me to design and submit Residential and Commercial projects for consent. This means I can design and submit Residential and Commercial projects for consent. With my study being interior based - my designs typically focus on how the interior flows and functions before the exterior emerges into a resolved design. I find this works best for functionality and designing at a personable scale.
A concept worth understanding:
Form vs Function: The function is more inclined towards the purpose and program of the building and the form is expressed through the fancy exteriors, mainly for decorative purposes. I think that all designs should have a fine balance between form vs function and a project is more successful when both aspects are considered together.
An activity worth doing:
I love a DIY project! Sometimes we see things on Pinterest or Instagram which we cannot get in New Zealand. So, a little DIY project to put a spin on an ordinary item has been my go-to for the majority of my home interiors. With a mixture of vintage finds, new items, and my limited crafting abilities, I have managed to create some beautiful, personal pieces. If you have thought of doing a DIY project, it’s never too late to start!
A book worth reading:
I’m a sucker for a good book – one of my favorites is ‘A Million Little Pieces’ by James Frey. It’s about an addict navigating his way through rehabilitation and back to normality. For me, this book serves as a reality check that my life’s troubles, although seemingly hard at the time, are survivable. The determination and resilience of James through his rehab inspires to create the best out of all the little things.
A quote worth repeating:
“Opportunities don’t happen, you create them.” I’m a firm believer that to get what you want in life requires hard work and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone. This is something I have done with my Architectural Design career when physically reaching out for new career opportunities. While initially scary, the personal and professional development that has come alongside those is massive and has provided me with the opportunity to become the Architectural Designer I am today.