Between The Walls

Architecture + Design Library
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A podcast by the Architecture + Design Library Step Between the Walls and into the world of design, creativity, and connection. Brought to you by the Architecture + Design Library, this podcast explores the stories, ideas, and collaborations shaping New Zealand’s built environment — and beyond. Join us as we talk to architects, interior designers, builders, makers, and industry leaders about their processes, challenges, and the spaces that inspire them. Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply design-curious, Between the Walls offers honest conversations, fresh insights, and a look behind the scenes of the creative industries. Welcome to your new favourite place to listen, learn, and be inspired.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    Bamboo Reimagined: Sustainable Design That Performs

    Send a text In this episode of Between the Walls, we dive into the world of engineered bamboo with Ingrid from Plantation Bamboo, exploring how this rapidly renewable material is reshaping modern construction and interior design.  From high-performance decking used in extreme climates to durable flooring solutions suited for busy family homes, we unpack why bamboo is gaining traction among architects, designers, and builders across New Zealand and beyond.  We also discuss sustainability credentials, real-world performance, and how thoughtful material choices can reduce environmental impact without compromising style or longevity.  If you're planning a renovation, building new, or simply curious about smarter material choices, this episode offers practical insights and inspiration.  In this episode, we cover:  What makes engineered bamboo different from traditional timberHow bamboo performs in demanding environmentsSustainability credentials and certifications explainedFlooring and decking options for residential and commercial projectsWhy designers and builders are increasingly specifying bamboo productsPractical considerations when choosing bamboo for your project  Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions you need to make for your new build or renovation and have no idea where to start. The Architecture + Design Library is your answer. A one stop 'shop' for finding designers and trades, sourcing materials and products and gaining education on those items so you know you are making the right decisions.

    24 min

  2. 2 FEB

    Growth, Balance & Big Plans: AD Library in 2026

    Send us a text What happens when you pause long enough to reflect before charging into a new year? In this candid first episode of the year, Verity sits down with Penny and Rebecca for an honest conversation about where AD Library is heading and what they want 2026 to look like — both professionally and personally. From the realities of business ownership and growing pains, to burnout, delegation, work-life balance and learning to celebrate wins, this episode offers a refreshingly real look at running a creative business while trying to maintain energy, purpose, and connection. The team shares what challenged them in 2025, what they’re changing this year, and how AD Library continues to evolve as a space built around community, collaboration, and helping people feel confident in their building and renovation journeys. If you’re stepping into the new year feeling excited, uncertain, or simply trying to figure out what comes next, this conversation might feel very familiar. Show Notes The start of a new year often comes with pressure to hit the ground running — but sometimes the most powerful move is to slow down first. In this episode, Verity, Penny and Rebecca take a moment to reflect on the whirlwind year behind them and share what’s ahead for AD Library in 2026. From expansion plans and new systems to personal goals and learning to delegate, the conversation moves between laughter, honesty and practical reflection. They explore questions many of us are asking ourselves:  • What actually gives us energy at work?  • What drains it?  • Is work-life balance real or just something we chase?  • And how do we make space to celebrate progress instead of only focusing on what still needs fixing? Listeners also get a behind-the-scenes glimpse at what’s happening inside AD Library, including space expansion, the upcoming Dunedin location, new brands joining, improved systems, and a growing community of creatives and renovators using the library. Above all, this episode is a reminder that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of wellbeing — and that reflection and intention-setting are powerful tools, whether you’re running a business or simply navigating a new season of life. What We Cover in This Episode • Reflecting on the challenges and wins of 2025  • Learning to delegate and build better systems  • The reality of work-life balance in business ownership  • Identifying work that gives energy vs. drains it  • Why celebrating wins matters  • Expansion and growth plans for AD Library  • The importance of community in creative industries  • Personal and professional intentions for the year ahead About AD Library AD Library is a shared workspace and architectural sample library designed to support architects, designers, builders, and anyone building or renovating. It brings resources, expertise, and community together in one accessible space. Visitors can browse and borrow samples, attend educational sessions, connect with industry professionals, and gain clarity on their projects — all under one roof. How can you help us? If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone starting their year with big plans or big questions. And if you’re working on a build or renovation, come visit AD Library to browse and borrow materials, connect with industry experts, and find inspiration for your next project.

    15 min

  3. 26 JAN

    Craft, Family & Clever Solutions with Sage Doors

    Send us a text In this Season 2 episode of Between the Walls, Janey and Penny sit down with Lydia from Sage Doors — a family-owned New Zealand business that has been crafting doors for over 40 years. Known for their consistency, thoughtful design, and support for cabinet makers and designers across the country, Sage Doors brings a mix of heritage, innovation, and genuine care to every project. From roller doors and flexible panels to laser edging, vinyl wraps, and the brand-new J Handle, this conversation opens up the story behind a company that has quietly shaped how New Zealand homes look, feel, and function. What you’ll hear in this episode: The Sage Doors story • How a small family business grew into a trusted national supplier.  • What it’s like working alongside siblings — and why the dynamic works.  • The family values that have shaped the culture for more than four decades. Supporting makers, designers & real homes • Why helping small cabinet makers thrive is central to what they do.  • How their products open up opportunities for makers without large factories or machinery.  • The impact Sage Doors has had on businesses across Aotearoa. Innovation, systems & the behind-the-scenes magic • The journey behind OptiCoat — a three-year development focused on quality and longevity.  • What actually causes vinyl wrap delamination — and how Sage Doors has solved it.  • How automation, software, and smart systems keep lead times short and consistent.  • Why their custom-built ordering system is such a game changer for cabinet makers. The product range • Roller doors reimagined — from sculleries to laundries and small-space solutions.  • Laser edging options across melamine, acrylic, matte and gloss.  • Veneer alternatives that look stunning and outperform natural timber in durability.  • Flexible panels for curves and custom profiles for more detailed design.  • OptiCoat — their coated door range, including the new J Handle. Choosing the right door • What homeowners often overlook when choosing materials.  • Melamine vs veneer vs acrylic — durability, cost, performance and replacement.  • Why laser-edged doors can be a smarter, budget-friendly alternative to lacquer.  • The difference a shallow vs deep shaker profile makes in stability and longevity. Partnership & working well together • What a great collaboration looks like between designers, cabinet makers and suppliers.  • Why clear communication and consistency build long-term trust. Lydia’s advice for homeowners & designers: Don’t assume you need the most expensive product Melamine and laser-edged doors can outperform lacquer in durability and consistency. Think about practicality early  Durability, cost, colour consistency, and replacement flexibility matter long-term. Explore veneer alternatives  They’re often more resilient, less prone to colour variation, and easier to match later. Stay curious  Ask questions, explore samples, and understand the “why” behind each material choice. Connect with Sage Doors: Website: www.sagedoors.co.nz  Instagram: @sagedoors Connect with AD Library: Website: www.adlibrary.nz AD Library brings materials, brands, and expert guidance together under one roof — making design and building simple for professionals and anyone planning a project. Visit during Open Days or book an appointment to explore the sample library, co-working space, and industry events.

    17 min

  4. 19 JAN

    Designing with Story, Culture & Climate with Virginia Barlow Architecture

    Send us a text In this Season 2 episode of Between the Walls, Janey and Penny sit down with Virginia Barlow, the architectural designer behind VBA Limited — a practice known for creating homes that honour land, hold culture with care, and feel genuinely good to live in. Virginia brings a thoughtful blend of Māori values, high-performance design, and grounded storytelling into every project she touches. From passive principles and thermal envelopes to the deeper meaning of manaakitanga, connection, and how a home should welcome people in, this conversation offers a warm, insightful look at designing with respect — for people, climate, and place. What you’ll hear in this episode: The VBA story • How Virginia’s lifelong love of drawing led her into architecture.  • The quiet ways Māori values weave naturally through her work.  • The influence of her upbringing, her whānau, and the storytellers who shaped her. Designing with culture, connection & care • What manaakitanga looks like in architecture — generosity, welcome, belonging.  • Honouring whakapapa, land, and place in design decisions.  • How storytelling strengthens communication, connection, and trust. Reading the land • Why Virginia always visits a site before committing to a project. • Listening to the land: views, sun, wind, orientation, and the small cues that guide design. • Designing small Wānaka sites with clarity, efficiency, and intention. Passive principles & high-performance homes • What makes a home genuinely warm, dry, and energy-efficient in Aotearoa’s climate.  • Why the building code is the minimum — not the goal.  • Why slabs, insulation, and thermal envelopes matter more than “flashy” finishes. Motherhood, time & shifting priorities • How becoming a mum has compressed time — and sharpened what matters.  • Balancing design, business ownership, and whānau life.  • Why she now chooses projects and clients more intentionally. Central Otago vs Waitaki • Designing across two contrasting landscapes — coastal and alpine.  • How climate awareness shifts region to region.  • Why every site is treated as its own unique story and place. ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards • The story behind her award-winning Heights Whare project.  • Designing a 120 m² home on a compact Wānaka site with simple, timeless forms. Clients, trust & long-term thinking • The clients she loves working with — curious, values-driven, open.  • Why trust is everything in an architectural relationship.  • Conversations around budgets, must-haves, and non-negotiables that protect long-term performance. Current work & what’s ahead • The passive and high-performance homes VBA is working on across both regions. • Why she’s excited about where the industry is heading. • Her hopes for the new year — more meaning, connection, and beautiful homes built with intention. Virginia’s advice for homeowners & designers: Listen to the land Let climate, orientation, light, and landscape guide you. Warm, dry, healthy homes should be the foundation — not the upgrade. Connect with Virginia Barlow Architecture: Website: www.vbalimited.co.nz Connect with AD Library: Website: www.adlibrary.nz  AD Library brings materials, brands, and expert guidance together under one roof — making design and building simple for professionals and anyone planning their next project. Visit during Open Days or book an appointment to explore the sample library, co-working space, and industry events.

    16 min

  5. 12 JAN

    Co-Creation: What It Really Takes to Build Something Together

    Send us a text Wishing you a very happy holiday. Over the break, we’re bringing back a few of your favourite Between the Walls episodes for you to enjoy. Thank you so much for your support this year. Have a beautiful holiday, and we can’t wait to be back with Season 2. In this episode, Janey sits down with her co-hosts — and co-founders of the Architecture + Design Library — Penny and Verity for a warm, honest, and often very funny kōrero about what co-creation really looks like when you’re building something meaningful together. They unpack what it means to work closely with someone who sees the world differently, creates differently, and responds differently — and how those differences can become your biggest advantage. From trust and tension to shared vision and letting go of control, this episode dives into the real, human side of partnership. Whether you’re about to launch something with a partner, bring on a collaborator, or you’re simply curious about what makes strong creative relationships work, this one offers so much wisdom and heart. What you’ll hear in this episode How Penny and Verity first met — and why not starting as friends actually helped Co-creation as a dance between dominance and surrender Why working with someone different elevates your thinking and your work Navigating creative tension without taking it personally Why they’ve never had a full-blown argument (and don’t expect to) What trust really looks like in business — action over perfection Staying in your lane, dividing roles, and knowing when to let go Why aligned vision matters more than matching styles Designing and building in a male-dominated industry — and how they hold their own Myths about female partnerships — and why their dynamic works The importance of shared goals and flexibility along the way Reflections “We weren’t friends when we started — and that gave us a clean foundation.” “Trust is knowing it’ll get done, even if it’s not in your time frame.” “We debate constantly — not to argue, but to create better outcomes.” “You don’t have to agree on everything, but you do need to want the same result.” “We’ve built something based on respect — and that gives us room to be ourselves.” “You don’t need to think alike. You need to listen well.” Questions from AD Library Members Penny: What does success look like to you?Verity: If you weren’t doing what you’re doing now, what path might you have taken?Penny: What design rule would you love to break — and why?Verity: What part of the industry do you feel is still stuck in the past?Connect with AD Library Instagram: @adlibrary.nz Website: adlibrary.nz Follow the podcast on Instagram: @betweenthell_lls

    20 min

  6. 5 JAN

    Building High-Performance Homes: The Flexi House Approach

    Send us a text Wishing you a very happy holiday. Over the break, we’re bringing back a few of your favourite Between the Walls episodes for you to enjoy. Thank you so much for your support this year. Have a beautiful holiday, and we can’t wait to be back with Season 2. In this episode, Janey and Penny sit down with Andre from Flexi House — a company reshaping the way New Zealanders build warm, efficient, future-proof homes. Flexi House is all about building smarter: using offsite construction, high-performance systems, and a decentralised manufacturing model that supports architects, builders, and homeowners across the country. This kōrero dives into why New Zealand urgently needs better-quality homes, how Flexi House collaborates with professionals nationwide, and what it means to design homes that flex and grow with you over time. From fast on-site assembly to energy efficiency, sustainability, and navigating building consent, this conversation offers a grounded, practical look at the future of building in Aotearoa. What you’ll hear in this episode: How Flexi House supports the wider industry to deliver high-performance homesWhy offsite, panelised construction speeds up build timesHow architecturally led design keeps quality high and consistentStreamlined planning through learnings from previous projectsCollaboration with architects and builders around the countryHow a decentralised manufacturing model reduces client riskWhy high-performance homes are crucial in cold climatesDesigns that allow for growth, expansion, and future flexibilitySustainability as a core principle — energy efficiency, reduced waste, and long-term resilienceNavigating building consent and working closely with councilsConnect with Flexi House Website: flexihouse.co.nz Instagram: @flexihouse.nz

    21 min

  7. 29/12/2025

    The AD Library Story — How It All Began

    Send us a text In this holiday replay, we’re bringing back the episode that launched the entire Between the Walls journey — the story behind AD Library. If you’re building or renovating, or simply curious about the spaces where ideas and industry come together, this conversation captures the heart of what AD Library set out to create. In this episode, Janey sits down with AD Library founders — and your Between the Walls co-hosts — Penny and Verity. Together they share how a single coffee meeting in Wānaka sparked a bold vision for a shared workspace and architectural sample library, why the concept filled such a major gap in the industry, and how community ended up becoming their greatest strength. From the challenges of explaining something that didn’t exist yet, to the “aha” moments, the design-porn excitement, and the unexpected wins, this is the honest, warm origin story of a space that’s changing how people build in smaller centres across Aotearoa. What you’ll hear in this episode The coffee meeting that planted the seed for AD Library How a shared workspace and sample library came together as one idea Why collaboration between architects, designers, builders, and suppliers matters What makes the sample library a game changer for both professionals and DIY renovators The real challenges of launching something totally new How community, connection, and shared problem-solving became the heart of the space Why touching and seeing real samples reduces overwhelm and speeds up decisions The biggest mistakes people make at the beginning of a build Why an early independent plan review can save thousands Current design trends — colour, texture, sustainability, and the rise of “brown” The founders’ vision for expanding AD Library across the country The one piece of advice Penny and Verity want every homeowner to hear Connect with AD Library Website: adlibrary.co.nz Instagram: @adlibrary.nz Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions you need to make for your new build or renovation and have no idea where to start. The Architecture + Design Library is your answer. A one stop 'shop' for finding designers and trades, sourcing materials and products and gaining education on those items so you know you are making the right decisions.

    28 min

  8. 23/12/2025

    Designing Kitchens That Truly Live Well with Michelle from MAD.Interiors

    Send us a text In this episode of Between the Walls, Janey and Verity sit down with Michelle from MAD.Interiors — a Wānaka-based interior designer known for creating kitchens that feel deeply considered, beautifully practical, and full of personality. From the forgotten details (like where the rubbish bin actually goes) to the big decisions around layout, materials, budget, and lifestyle flow, this conversation explores what really makes a kitchen work in the real world. Michelle shares her journey from studying interior design in Amsterdam to building a life and business in Wānaka — and why she describes the kitchen as the true workhorse of the home. She walks us through how she reads a client’s lifestyle, the questions she always asks, and the small details that can completely change the way a kitchen feels. If you’re planning a new build, renovating, or simply wanting your kitchen to finally function the way you do, this episode is full of grounded, practical insight. What you’ll hear in this episode: • The MAD.Interiors story  • Kitchens as the workhorse of the home  • What homeowners forget  • Lifestyle-first design  • Budget brackets  • Materials & finishes  • Outdoor flow  • Colour & personality  • Power points & splashbacks  • Open shelving  • Tech & future kitchens  • AD Library collaboration  • Kitchen consults  • Michelle’s guiding principle Michelle’s Takeaways for Homeowners • Design for how you actually live  • Know your budget early  • Be brave with personality  • Trust yourself — it’s your home Connect with Michelle mad.Interiors  Website: www.madinteriors.co.nz  Instagram: @mad.interiors.nz For kitchen design, full interiors, colour consulting, or a kitchen consult at AD Library, Michelle works with clients across Wānaka, Queenstown, Central Otago, and beyond. Connect with AD Library Website: www.adlibrary.nz AD Library brings materials, brands, and expert guidance together under one roof — making design and building simple for professionals and anyone planning their next project. Are you feeling overwhelmed by all the decisions you need to make for your new build or renovation and have no idea where to start. The Architecture + Design Library is your answer. A one stop 'shop' for finding designers and trades, sourcing materials and products and gaining education on those items so you know you are making the right decisions.

    29 min
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About

A podcast by the Architecture + Design Library Step Between the Walls and into the world of design, creativity, and connection. Brought to you by the Architecture + Design Library, this podcast explores the stories, ideas, and collaborations shaping New Zealand’s built environment — and beyond. Join us as we talk to architects, interior designers, builders, makers, and industry leaders about their processes, challenges, and the spaces that inspire them. Whether you're a seasoned professional or simply design-curious, Between the Walls offers honest conversations, fresh insights, and a look behind the scenes of the creative industries. Welcome to your new favourite place to listen, learn, and be inspired.

Information

  • Creator
    Architecture + Design Library
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Between The Walls
  • Show Website
    Between The Walls