EMERGE #3: Going Big is a conversation with Mary Henry, an architect in Jasmax’s Auckland studio who is highly regarded by her peers and team for an open, collaborative and engaging approach to leadership.

Mary will present some of her architectural experience, most of which has been in large multi-disciplinary practices. In particular, she will discuss her role as a young architect leading the $56mil AUT Mana Hauora project, touching on the lessons learnt, challenges and benefits of managing a complex and ambitious project with a large stakeholder group — a feat not many of her age can lay claim to.

With her experience practicing at large architecture companies Mary will give us an insight into how to achieve great things, and how to enable your own and others’ career development, by working as part of a team.

Specialising in the front-end design and delivery of projects, Mary believes in delivering solutions that are refined and functional. She is a forward thinking and considerate designer, as evidenced through her work on AUT Mana Hauora. Composed in all manner of challenges, which have included education, commercial, infrastructure and high density residential projects, Mary develops strong relationships with clients, consultants and all those within the team that work with her, who respect both her leadership approach and the guidance she brings to her projects. She has a passion for getting things right, and continues to extend this rigour to leading her teams to deliver the highest quality outcomes.


EMERGE is a series of events organised by graduates and emerging practitioners that delves into what being an architectural graduate and emerging practitioner is like, using the experience of other emerging practitioners, architects and practices to help drive the conversation.

In 2017, a national committee was formed by a group of graduates and recently registered architects who have set their sights on building a strong support network for their peers, both regionally and nationally. Our purpose is to cultivate a strong collegial community for all emerging and graduate individuals, who are navigating their way through the architectural and design profession. EMERGE is supported by the NZIA Auckland Branch.