Ben Hayes

When Ben Hayes studied at the prestigious Bartlett School of Architecture, University College London, he was following in the generational footsteps of his great grandfather, a specialist in ecclesiastical buildings.
A decade of experience in the UK and more than 20 years at RTA Studio has seen him work in a range of typologies including the residential, retail, leisure, commercial and public sectors.
His first job at the practice was as project architect of Ironbank, the stacked-and-folded Corten-clad mixed-used landmark on Tāmaki Makaurau’s K Road. Commended at the World Architecture Festival, it was Aotearoa’s first certified 5-Star As-Built Greenstar commercial building.
Ben, who became and associate at RTA Studio in 2005 and managing director in 2xxx, has watched the business grow and develop its distinct identity, and seen the expansion into two new regional studios in Hawke’s Bay and Wanaka.
He has been instrumental in the shift towards more socially conscious work practices and takes great satisfaction in mentoring in-house graduates towards fully fledged registration.
His comprehensive role makes full use of his holistic skill base including design, project and cost management, and contract administration. Ben thrives on the dynamic, ever-evolving environment.
Born in Essex, Ben has well and truly made the transition to Kiwi local – and has a love of sailing to prove it. On weekends, if you don’t find him on his sail cat in the middle of the Hauraki Gulf, he’ll like be practising his inherited passion for pen-and-ink sketching.

“Every day and every job at RTA Studio is different. It never stales. That’s why I love it.”