Coming from a family with a long history in the building industry, some of Don's earliest memories are of building sites and visiting clients with his father. When looking at possible career paths, he initially considered engineering due to his strengths in maths but the exciting architecture that was being realised in Wellington by Ian Athfield and Roger Walker mixed with early exposure to the wonders of Le Corbusier’s Radiant City concepts turned him towards the creative possibilities of an architectural career.

Don completed his Architecture Degree in 1981, then left for Sydney and worked for 2 years in a firm designing clubs and casinos. Several years of world travel followed where he enjoyed exploring vernacular and indigenous architecture. He eventually settled back in Wellington and worked in an architectural practice, gaining registration as an architect in 1990.

The financial crisis of 1990 led to a job change that found him working in the education sector and eventually starting this practice in 1992. A passion for passive solar architecture along with a desire to assist people to enjoy healthy stimulating built environments formed the ethos of the practice Don established at inception and continues to be the core focus today.

Don has studied Permaculture and implements these principles in his work. His own house and city section has been developed using the principals of Permaculture in an urban environment.