http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/ The latest Blog feeds from www.mra.net.nz en-us Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:51:27 +1300 Rocketspark http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/157880/designing-moves-pantry-raid/ 🎄Let’s simply the run up to Xmas and avoid those Christmas week panic attacks.Before doing your Xmas shop it’s time to venture into the dark corners of your pantry and liberate expired or damaged food.Start with a clear bench a cloth & cleaning spray. You’ll also need a bin or bin bag handy.Pull out the contents one shelf at a time. Discard anything with expiry dates in the past, or no longer looks safe to eat, use your judgement on Best Before dates - but consider whether you’re ... Tue, 09 Dec 2025 11:18:48 +1300 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post157880 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/157271/designing-moves-introducing-the-4-stream-system/ Deciding what to take to your new (smaller) home is the most overwhelming aspect of your planned move. So, we've developed a system that guides you through the decision-making process.You can take as much time as you need, but by following the system you should reduce or eliminate the potential to go in circles.Assemble Your Kit:Coloured stickers - packs of 4 colours are available at most stationery and bargain shops. Warning: I recommend removable stickers (slightly more expensive) so that your... Tue, 02 Dec 2025 10:28:30 +1300 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post157271 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/148251/just-lines-on-paper-or-something-more-important/ Hand Sketching: A design conversationThe sketch has traditionally been an extension of the Designer's thought process, where 'lines' and 'curves' take the place of words and punctuation. The collection of pencil strokes craft a story and a vision conceived in the designer's mind based on a client wish-list brief, the 'rules' and facts of the site, the hard elements of construction and materials. Each line on the page reflects thoughtful exploration of practical options, considering all facts and... Thu, 10 Jul 2025 15:57:43 +1200 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post148251 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/148040/about-claude--the-wilson-house/ Claude Megson (1936-1994) was a pioneering New Zealand architect who emerged as one of the most experimental and radical figures in domestic architecture during the 1970s. Born in Whangarei and educated at the University of Auckland, Megson established his own practice in 1962 and taught at the School of Architecture until his death in 1994 Collection: Claude Megson architectural drawings and papers | Manuscripts and Archives. He represented the avant-garde modernist movement in New Zealand... Fri, 04 Jul 2025 10:44:15 +1200 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post148040 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/54898/MRA-joins-ArchiPro/ ArchiPro is the all-in-one platform helping Kiwis build their dream. MRA Limited has joined the programme to bring examples of our work to a new audience.Aiming to reach Kiwis interested in architecture and design products and services the ArchiPro platform allows its contributors to feature built projects, beautifully.MRA Limited has chosen to feature some of our favourite projects from our past 20 years. Many of these feature a range of concrete construction systems which launched MRA Limited ... Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:40:17 +1200 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post54898 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/46325/66-Magazine-Giltrap--Spring-2019/ One of our recent projects built by Mainline Construction has been profiled in the Giltrap 66 Magazine for Spring 2019. The design project, our fourth for our clients' family group (owners of Wilo Precast Limited), was a privilege to be involved with. Our clients' talent and passion for bringing together an interior design vision with strong architectural forms and a varied material pallet which included many recycled elements is exceptional and it was fantastic for MRA Limited to be part of the... Wed, 06 Nov 2019 10:33:23 +1300 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post46325 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/43730/The-Art-of-SketchingUse-of-Sketches-to-Convey-an-idea-for-a-Community-Centre/ We were approached by a client about his community's ideas for a new recreation and administration centre in North Waikato. This sketch was our interpretation of a complex that would provide a contemporary and flexible hub for local activity. The concept reflected the area's history & development as a busy portage that had served pioneer farming and flax growing agriculture activities.  The contemporary gathering place would reflect the communities past in its media projecting glazed panels... Wed, 14 Aug 2019 16:51:05 +1200 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post43730 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/43262/new-old/ Completed in the Waikato in 2019, this Precast Panel project was designed as a weekender for our clients - it's now where they choose to base themselves. This was the fourth project with the client's family group, resulting in a harmonious collaboration. The weekender, while compact, offers spacious country living areas and a dedicated workshop garage. The design evokes the charm of an old rural building through Precast Panels with a creosote-aged weatherboard look, exposed recycled timber ... Tue, 30 Jul 2019 14:16:24 +1200 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post43262 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/37388/hAPPy-Times-at-MRA/ Apps are increasingly providing new ways of connecting and organising our lives, at work as well as at play.  At MRA we've been exploring Apps (applications) to see which ones offer our clients an increased interactive experience as their project proceeds.For about 3 years we have used Dropbox to transfer large files - a must with our hand drawn Plans which we produce in PDF format. This allows us to invite subcontractors and suppliers into the process - although we've learned that sometime... Mon, 18 Feb 2019 14:21:54 +1300 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post37388 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/post/37069/Enduring-Wow-Factor-Concrete-Masonry/ Clients often, understandably, question the value of using an architectural design service when contemplating a residential project. In the article linked below we were able to receive feedback about MRA's design choices and recommendations 10 years after the plans were finished. The brief was for a hard-wearing, simple design with a contemporary look that was suitable for normal family living. When the property was marketed 10 years later, the agent - and many of the viewers remarked on th... Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:13:11 +1300 http://www.mra.net.nz/blog/#post37069