UNVEIL ARCHITECTS
Unveil Architects is a design-led practice committed to delivering meaningful and sustainable architecture that enriches both the built and natural environments
Practice Profile
Founded by James Chong, a Registered Architect in New Zealand and Hong Kong, who graduated from the University of Auckland - School of Architecture, the studio combines international expertise with local insight.
James spent over 17 years at a leading architectural practice in Hong Kong, gaining extensive experience in design, contract administration, and project management. Since returning to New Zealand in 2023, he has worked on bespoke hospitality and residential interiors, as well as new builds and renovations.
Unveil Architects provides professional architectural services across a wide range of project types, including single-family homes, multi-unit luxury & social housing, commercial, hospitality, institutional, and mixed-use developments, as well as alterations and interior architecture of all scales.
Ethos
At Unveil Architects, design is a process of revelation — uncovering the essence of place through light, material, memory, and the aspirations of those who inhabit it. Architecture is not just about creating form; it is the act of revealing potential.
Guided by respect for craft and context, we shape projects across residential, commercial, institutional, and bespoke interior realms. Our work is grounded yet aspirational, uniting elegance, restraint, and a lasting sense of belonging.
Every project begins with listening — to the land, the brief, and the unspoken. Through close collaboration with clients, consultants, and contractors, we create spaces that take advantage of their context, reveal their potential, and invite memory, intimacy, and imagination.
We believe true beauty lies in simplicity, enduring materials, thoughtful detail, and design that reveals something deeper: not merely a building, but an experience of space, fully unveiled.
Sustainability
Sustainability underpins our approach to architecture. At Unveil Architects, we design with both the planet and people in mind, creating buildings that are environmentally responsible and enhance human wellbeing. Led by James Chong — who has delivered projects to international sustainability and wellness benchmarks including LEED, WELL, HKBEAM, and China Green Building Label, the practice draws on global expertise to inform local design outcomes.
Our methodology combines passive design strategies, efficient spatial planning, and durable, low-impact materials to minimize environmental impact, reduce operational costs, and ensure long-term resilience. Equally, we focus on the human experience of space, prioritizing natural light, ventilation, and a sense of connection to place. Sustainability is about more than performance metrics; it is about creating architecture that is adaptable, enduring, and deeply enriching, delivering value for clients, communities, and future generations.
Background
Hong Kong: Architecture in Complexity
In Hong Kong, architecture is about revealing potential within density and constraint. Faced with limited land and layered histories, design emerges through adaptation, contrast, and reinvention. High-rise housing, compact dwellings, and adaptive reuse are not anomalies but thoughtful responses to urban intensity, uncovering opportunities in every corner of the city.
New Zealand: Architecture in Context
In New Zealand, architecture reconnects people, place, and landscape. Design responds to landforms, light, climate, culture, and context, engaging with the whenua (land) and honouring both Māori and Pākehā perspectives. Here, architecture uncovers the spirit of place, the layers of history, and the potential for quiet, enduring beauty.
Our Approach
At Unveil Architects, our philosophy guides every project. From dense urban developments to sensitive residential and interior works, we create architecture that is purposeful, unlocks the potential of each site, and remains deeply connected to its context — crafting spaces that enrich lives, communities, and the environment