As Design Director at Irving Smith Architects, Jeremy helms a research-centric design firm renowned for its sensitive architectural responses to the varying landscapes of New Zealand and beyond. The firm’s excellence has been recognized globally, with a Special Judges Prize at the 2020 Taipei International Architecture Awards, a UNESCO Award of Distinction in 2019, and the World Villa of the Year award at the 2017 World Architecture Festival in Berlin. Their multifaceted expertise has been acknowledged with numerous NZIA New Zealand Architecture Awards and has been celebrated in prestigious publications like Architecture Magazine and Vogue. In addition to leading design innovation at ISA—which includes accolades such as World Timber Building of the Year and a special award at the 2020 Taipei International Design Awards—Jeremy is deeply integrated into the academic realm. He holds an Adjunct Associate Professorship and a design-based PhD from the University of Auckland, enriching the architectural discourse with contributions to Architecture New Zealand and lectures across the globe. Jeremy’s 2019 itinerary was particularly notable, featuring presentations at eight American universities and prestigious architectural venues in Paris and Amsterdam. His expertise is sought after as a judge at international architecture events, and he offers guidance as an International Advisor to the Saveetha College of Architecture and Design in Chennai. His philosophy is grounded in the interaction between architecture and its ever-evolving environmental context. This principle drives both his practice and pedagogical approach, with his teachings at the University of Auckland showcasing an iterative design process. Jeremy’s international stature is reflected in his roles as juror and speaker at various architecture festivals and as an appointed ambassador for Prague Castle’s architectural exhibitions. The breadth of Jeremy’s contributions is evident from his extensive lecture tours in notable institutions around the world, including the Design Excellence in Timber and Wood Symposium in Arkansas. His concept of ‘Soft Architecture’—architecture that harmonizes with existing landscapes—has been spotlighted through exhibitions at the Prague International Architecture Festivals. Jeremy’s dedication to merging practice with academia is illustrated by his position as the 2023 John G Williams Visiting Professor at the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design and as an Adjunct Professor in South Africa. His PhD journey, woven between professional and personal commitments, epitomizes his belief that the richest architectural work emerges from the continuous interaction between buildings and their contexts. His career traverses the spectrum of architectural scales, reinforcing the idea that dynamic engagement with the environment is essential for design excellence.