Our Team
We bring different perspectives to the table, but we’re united by a love for purposeful work, thoughtful design, and real connection.
Francis Whitaker
Francis Whitaker is a founding director of Whitaker Architects and brings considerable experience across a broad range of architectural projects throughout New Zealand.
A graduate of the School of Architecture at the University of Auckland in 1977, Francis is a Fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Architects and a Registered Architect. Over an extensive career, he has developed a reputation for design excellence, originality and a highly collaborative approach to practice.
Francis’s expertise spans client engagement, briefing, master planning, concept design, project leadership and delivery. He is highly regarded for his ability to listen carefully, interpret client aspirations and translate them into meaningful, enduring architectural outcomes.
His work encompasses master planning and urban design, small-town and subdivision planning, commercial and resort developments, and a significant portfolio of high-end residential architecture. Across all project types, Francis brings a strong commitment to creating buildings and places that are enjoyable to inhabit, responsive to their context and designed to endure.
A talented and expressive designer, Francis uses hand drawing as an important part of the early design process. His drawings bring ideas to life, encourage meaningful engagement with clients and stakeholders, and help establish a clear and shared vision from the outset.
Francis has received numerous New Zealand Institute of Architects Awards for Architecture and Master Builders Awards, including three Supreme Awards. His enthusiasm for architecture, combined with his depth of experience and design leadership, creates an inspiring and collaborative environment for clients, consultants and project teams.
Director
Ruth Whitaker
Ruth Whitaker is a founding director of Whitaker Architects and a passionate, dedicated architect committed to achieving exceptional outcomes for clients, communities and the wider built environment.
Ruth graduated with a Master of Architecture from the University of Melbourne in 2010. She brings a composed and highly collaborative approach to practice, fostering strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors and project teams throughout every stage of a project.
Ruth plays a central role in the design, development and management of projects, from initial concept through to completion. Her experience includes a broad range of contemporary residential and commercial architecture across New Zealand, often on diverse and challenging sites. She is skilled at balancing the practical, technical and design requirements of a project to deliver highly resolved and enduring architectural outcomes.
A talented designer and communicator, Ruth is skilled at working across scales from large-scale planning studies through to finely detailed interior spaces helping to establish a clear and cohesive design vision from the outset.
Ruth’s expertise extends across architectural design, project management and interior design integration. She is available to provide interior design leadership where required, ensuring that interior spaces are seamlessly integrated with the wider architectural vision to create refined, cohesive and highly considered environments.
Ruth has successfully delivered numerous high-quality and award-winning projects while building trusted, long-term relationships with clients. Her thoughtful leadership, attention to detail and commitment to collaboration contribute to an inspiring and harmonious project environment.
Architect Director
Associate DirectorPeter Tucker
Peter Tucker is an Associate Director at Whitaker Architects and a highly experienced architectural technician. He brings extensive technical expertise and a rigorous, detail-focused approach to delivering complex, high-quality architectural projects.
Peter’s experience spans high-end residential, multi-residential and large-scale commercial developments. His expertise includes BIM coordination, consultant collaboration, technical documentation, contract administration and project delivery through to completion.
His project experience includes complex residential apartment and hotel developments. Through this work, Peter has developed a strong understanding of the technical, regulatory and coordination requirements associated with projects of varying scale, complexity and location.
Peter provides technical leadership across projects, ensuring that architectural documentation is carefully developed, coordinated and delivered to the highest standard. He works closely with engineers, consultants, contractors and project teams to resolve technical matters efficiently, maintain design intent and support a seamless delivery process from documentation through to construction completion.
Architect Associate Louis Deverson
Louis is a composed, efficient and hardworking architect and a key member of our close team. Louis is involved with all facets of projects, providing a meaningful contribution to the design, documentation and construction administration of the project.
Creative and strategic in equal measure, our marketing director brings fresh ideas to every campaign. They turn insights into action and help our message resonate with the right audience.
Architectural Graduate