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About The Village Architect

The Village Architect applies evidence-based design principles to create environments that honour both heritage and human experience. Founded by Sara McCunnie, an architect with 19+ years of experience specialising in aged care and dementia-enabling design, our practice bridges heritage-sensitive architecture with socio-spatial design expertise. Our design philosophy centres on three core principles: dignity, autonomy, and authenticity. This approach informs all our work, from heritage-sensitive home adaptations in Waitaki to consultancy for major aged care providers across New Zealand and Australia. Sara brings unique multidisciplinary expertise from master planning retirement villages with project values exceeding $100M to local home modifications. Her international research, including study of Dutch dementia care environments, informs thoughtful designs that balance safety requirements with positive risk-taking. As Co-chair of Dementia Alliance International's Environmental Design Special Interest Group and a PhD candidate researching dementia-enabling design, Sara maintains a continuous feedback loop between research and practice—ensuring innovative yet evidence-based solutions for clients of all scales. Based in Oamaru, we offer: Heritage-sensitive residential adaptations Age-friendly design solutions Dementia-enabling environment consultancy Design advisory for complex refurbishments Connect with us to create spaces that honour both architectural heritage and human experience.

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