“It’s traditional Alpine meets contemporary.”

Yoke’s portfolio spans a range of project typologies in Queenstown and beyond, including bespoke private residences, penthouse apartments, multi-residential developments, and commercial and hospitality fitouts. “We pride ourselves on being really client-centric and responding to each project individually,” Thom says. “While we operate primarily in residential architecture, we have existing clients with other interests that draw us in.” “We often work from an initial architectural concept all the way through to furniture and interiors,” Cam Pyke, Director, agrees. “That approach enables the design language to link everything together.”

Yoke represents the connection and balance between client and architect, landscape and architecture. “There are a lot of people in the Queenstown area looking for a second home,” Cam says. “They often want that classic Central Otago vernacular, gabled roof, and schist cladding, but with a modern twist. We look to a palette that really suits these landscapes and sits comfortably in the region, incorporating more design-led materials like blackened corten steel. It’s traditional Alpine meets contemporary.”

Thom and Cam first met while in school in Christchurch before both went on to Victoria University and then to work in Melbourne after graduation. “Architecture jobs in New Zealand were very few and far between at that time,” Thom says. “Melbourne presented an opportunity for many of us to go and get really good jobs after university. Cam and I both ended up in Melbourne practices that were very interiors-focused, which I think has informed our work since. Architecture isn’t just a shell; you can take it further.”

After several years in Melbourne, Thom decided to return to Queenstown and enjoy a better balance of architecture practice and outdoor lifestyle. It wasn’t long before Cam decided to come home to New Zealand as well. “I moved back to Queenstown, and Thom and I shared an office informally for a couple of years, which gave us both a good idea of how each other worked,” Cam says. “When the pandemic hit, Thom and I ended up joining forces as a bit of a safeguard, because we didn’t know if all the work was going to dry up - but it went the other way and our collaboration has gone from strength to strength.”

Now celebrating 10 years in business, Yoke embraces both the challenges and the opportunities of working in the sometimes harsh environments and changeable weather systems of the Queenstown region. “We’re currently working on a 50sqm cabin that will be built off-site and then trucked into the Glenorchy wilderness,” Thom says. “If the first cabin goes well, the clients are open to repeating the process in more remote places, perhaps with helicopter access.” “We have inherent knowledge of the climate and landscape here that gives us an advantage,” Cam adds. “We are often working in quite remote and rugged spaces with residential builds that need to be both high-performing and cost-considered in a region where it is expensive to build.”

Alongside responses rooted in the local vernacular, Yoke also creates architecture that is strikingly contemporary. “We don’t limit ourselves to one certain style” states Cam, “our architecture is driven by a unique interpretation of the client's brief, and often more minimal values and aesthetic achieve that response that links inside to outside.” “We’re just as comfortable with a timeless, modernist approach of flat roofs and large expanses of glazing,” Thom agrees. “This approach contrasts but still compliments the vast landscape; it also sits comfortably in the more urban environments we also design in.”

The practice also benefits from an international perspective, Thom says, as many of their clients take inspiration from overseas. “About half of our clients are based off-shore. That international influence brings in a variety of new ideas; it’s our job to help marry those with the local climate, context and materials.”

Yoke’s detail-oriented approach is likely what cinched their Gantley’s Brewhall project a recent win for Commercial Building of the Year in the 2025 Colorsteel Awards. “Gantley’s is an Alpine building that takes on contemporary elements, and is a good reference for our work,” Cam says. “It’s a commercial building that is influenced by our residential understanding and approach.” Thom agrees, “We approached it with a residential-level of detail and layering, rather than just focusing on commercial functionality; the result has a nice level of refinement.”

Some of the ideas from Gantley’s Brewhall have been adapted into Double Gable House, where the Yoke team has been able to create a complete, cohesive design, including a full interior response. “We’re always developing and building upon learnings from our previous projects,” Thom reflects. “Double Gable House really comes back to materiality and the scale coming from its setting. The experience of being there is a big part of the outcome; it’s the most restful, tranquil place.”

The Queenstown area presents a dream opportunity for architects, Cam says, though the team is excited to explore projects further afield. “We have the opportunity to work with incredible clients and locations in Central Otago. As some of our earlier projects have reached completion, we’ve been able to build momentum and identity, which is something we’re eager to continue developing over the years ahead. We would like to get more work in other parts of the country, with different climates and landscapes. We’ll happily branch out into rural or coastal projects if they present themselves.”

As Yoke matures and its Directors look to the future, both are excited to build their portfolio and their presence in the industry. “As a small practice, we’re generalists,” Cam says. “We don’t allow ourselves to get pigeonholed into any one space for too long - there’s always variation and different project stages which keep things interesting.” “It’s exciting to bring in potential new projects and conceive them, but it’s also really rewarding to see them finally complete after all the input and agony of getting them just right,” Thom adds. “Seeing clients happy - that’s the goal.

“For now, we’re putting a lot of energy into our website and making it better reflect who we are and how we operate. We’re looking forward to putting ourselves out there more formally in 2026 and exposing and expressing the projects we’ve been working on. When I look at the drawing board for next year, the projects there are all quite different - ranging from 50sqm to 1,200sqm - and they’re coming from a very high level of trust from our clients.”

To learn more and connect with Yoke, visit https://www.yoke.net.nz/ and follow them on Instagram.