Whether residences or boutique hotels, each space she creates invites us to slow down, to anchor ourselves in the place and the moment in order to appreciate everyday life more intensely. Through her studies and work in New Zealand, Sophie Hamer has developed extensive expertise in constructing new buildings that blend harmoniously into the open spaces that surround them, consciously reinforcing the close relationship between the building and its natural environment. She successfully combines this broad experience with her knowledge of the European architectural heritage and craftsmanship. Working across the continent, she takes the time to learn more about local artisanal techniques in order to honour regional heritage and ensure that her projects are rooted in their cultural context.
Fostering a holistic approach to architecture, Sophie Hamer focuses as much on the volumes as on the interior. With a refined sense of proportion, the architect pays particular attention to the flow between interior and exterior. She plays with large openings to the outside and imagines sequences of spaces sculpted by natural light. Using raw, local materials – with a preference for those that gain character or a beautiful patina as they age – she chooses textures that delicately capture the light and make it dance around, bringing the room to life. This carefully crafted materiality reinforces the feeling of calm and tranquillity that pervades each space.
The architect manages projects all over the world with a focus on residences and boutique hotels. From conceiving new constructions to renovating old buildings, she always takes into consideration the surrounding landscape and culture. While she manages projects entirely in New Zealand and Switzerland, she always collaborates with a local architect in other countries, such as Spain, France, Italy, or Belgium. No matter where she works, she pays tribute to craftsmanship in all her projects, with a mission close to her heart: to create spaces so harmoniously connected to their environment that they inspire their owners to preserve it.
Imbuing each project with a soft elegance and a quiet soul, Sophie Hamer shares a strong sense of beauty with her international clients. She often connects with these like-minded individuals through social media, a world without borders that leads to projects in many countries. However, juggling different time zones often involves early morning or late evening video calls.
To successfully complete her projects in different latitudes, she regularly makes room for her own moments of peace, thus protecting her creative process. Living in the Alps, she can easily escape into nature to disconnect and find inspiration. She also enjoys travelling by train across Europe, from one project to another, a more contemplative mode of transport. Her philosophy of serene living, her sense of beauty and her architectural approach come together, and reflect in her work. In an increasingly fast-paced world, this soothing calm is appreciated even more intensely.
This series is created in collaboration with photographer Jelena Barraud, founder of Wings & Creativity.
Geraldine Morand
Jelena Barraud
Sophie Hamer