From when Martin and Nathan first met in South Africa. The concept is to use the best in technology along with a like-minded group of talented people with a desire to achieve excellence in design. The internet allows the use of specialist resources spread over the world, co-ordinated by Martin and Nathan, to provide professional, cost-effective solutions for all your design requirements. And the million-dollar question — why “Fat Hippo”? We wanted a representative brand that was as eye-catching as our designs, but with a touch of our ever-present humour.
Nathan grew up in Southland, New Zealand, and trained in engineering and architecture locally before heading to Auckland to pursue his passions for design and sailing. As his work expanded to locations across Asia, he developed a love of travel — a planned one-year trip that stretched to four years, spent largely in Ireland. Nathan returned to New Zealand in 2001 with his wife Jennifer, and spent five years as a partner in an engineering and architectural practice before co-founding Fat Hippo Design Group with Martin in 2006.
Jennifer is a qualified architectural designer from Ireland, bringing a background in both civil engineering and architectural design to her work at Fat Hippo. She has a particular talent for creating spaces that maximise natural light and make intelligent use of space, with a keen ability to visualise a completed home long before construction begins. Working closely alongside Nathan, Jennifer's meticulous attention to detail ensures each project is a genuine reflection of its occupants' lifestyle and aspirations.
Growing up in Africa, Martin studied architecture in Slovenia before designing large commercial centres and travelling extensively. He eventually settled in Queenstown, where he developed a passion for the distinctive architectural character of Central Otago and a thorough understanding of the New Zealand Building Code. After managing the European arm of the practice from Slovenia for a period, Martin is now back in New Zealand.
"Mike and I agree it is an awesome home. Now we watch Grand Designs and then look around ourselves and say 'our house is better than that!'"— Client, Otago & Southland ADNZ Award-winning residence, Winton
