Stephen Middleton

Born in South Africa and raised in the Netherlands and New Zealand, Stephen works predominantly on large, long-term projects where the buildings created are significant to New Zealand. He has a secure, sophisticated influence in projects of scale, where public interest is high and there is also a high degree of complexity.

Registered as an architect in the UK, Stephen worked for the renowned English architect Sir Terry Farrell. This experience includes a spectacular, acclaimed aquarium and marine research centre in Hull.

On his return to New Zealand he joined Jasmax and has since worked on and led major projects in the healthcare, tertiary education, research, transport, commercial, retail and heritage sectors. Notable as an extremely rigorous individual, Stephen has a reputation for bringing his projects to completion on time and in/or under budget. His manner, combined with the intimate involvement he maintains in his projects and a clear business acumen, presents a dedication that results in long-standing relationships with clients, and many return commissions.

Stephen led the masterplan for the University of Auckland’s Grafton Campus. As a result of which, he designed the Boyle Building – part of a refurbishment and redevelopment of the Medical Campus in Grafton, which went on to win a NZIA local award. The building combined research, clinical work, student services and administration. It integrated masterfully into the older Medical School buildings.

Currently working mainly in design and masterplanning for tertiary education, Stephen is sought after for his understanding of tertiary design and its context. He has designed the new University of Canterbury's Rutherford Regional Science & Innovation building in Christchurch, the largest building in the rebuild of the University, which was accelerated as a result of the 2011 earthquakes.