Stay-at-home dad is better on the job

DONNA PAGET/Waikato Times

HOME HELP: Evan Mayo said being a stay-at-home dad to son Sam had made him a better architect.

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When Hamilton architect Evan Mayo became a father 14 months ago, he gave up his job with Antanas Procuta Architects to become a stay-at-home dad.

Natasha Grainger, the mother of his son, enjoyed her career with the Conservation Department so he decided, reluctantly, to leave projects such as the $1.4 million dollar home he'd designed just outside of Cambridge behind.

In April, however, the lure of the drawing board proved too much and Mr Mayo launched the Architecture Bureau Ltd from his Forest Lake home.

He said architecture was the type of profession that allowed flexibility, and working from home meant he could still take care of son Samuel.

Mr Mayo said he was always up-front with clients about his situation and used time at nights, in the weekends or the two days Sam was at childcare to work on projects and attend meetings with con-tractors and consult-ants: "I work part time, about three days a week."

Mr Mayo said being a stay-at-home dad had made him a better architect because now he was better able to understand the issues and demands that a family placed on the home and occupants.

"As an architect you obviously have to provide your client with creative solutions to their everyday problems, but staying home with Sam I have been able to really understand and appreciate the subtle details and needs of the home perhaps otherwise lost by a working parent."

A highlight with the new firm so far, Mr Mayo said, had been his recent commission to complete alterations to a house that was originally conceived by architect Dick Mercer of Mercer Brown Architects. With previous experience in renovating homes designed by architects, Mr Mayo said the key to these projects was a healthy respect for the existing design.

"Most owners of a home designed by architects treasure the unique qualities of the home, so the successful integration of new additions or alterations into the existing home is when you can't tell where the new architect has been," he said.

Hamilton born Mr Mayo said he was impressed with the increase in pride in the city.

"There is a nice feeling growing, a pride about being from Hamilton."

Karla Akuhata is a Wintec journalism student.