Nofoaga Natia (A Hidden Place) reimagined a public market in Aleisa, a village in Upolu, Samoa; combining traditional building forms with contemporary architecture.

“The project aimed to provide locals with a place to sell their homegrown produce while also serving as an attraction for tourists and visitors,” says its designer Ethan Hansell-Hunt.

The 24-year-old Aucklander is a recent graduate of Master of Architecture (Professional) from Unitec’s School of Architecture.

“At its core, it was my way of giving back to my family in Aleisa—those who have helped shape the person I am today.”

Last year, the design received a Highly Commended award at the national Student Design Awards, a programme bringing together the top students from New Zealand’s four schools of architecture.

The judges praised Ethan’s work, noting how his design “invites change in practice while respecting historic foundations.” His ability to balance the modern with the traditional impressed the panel, who described the project as “a respectful outcome for community and guests,” where “people from near are invited to experience community and benefit from commerce, people from afar are invited to connect with culture and customs.”

“There’s a strong connection that runs through our Pacific cohort of students, where they mentor and encourage each other, creating an environment that is a joy to be a part of,” says Peter McPherson, Head of Unitec’s School of Architecture.

“Ethan has reached into his culture to help him develop a highly sophisticated techno-social approach to architecture that enables him to connect the past with the present.

“His achievement on a national level speaks to his creativity in learning from a rich cultural and technological past to present solutions for the present,” adds Peter.

“Ethan joins a growing list of Pacific alumni that we are all rightly proud of, and who stand as an inspiration to current and future ākonga of what can be achieved through embracing your identity and expressing yourself in your creative endeavours.” 

In April, Mr Hansell-Hunt walked across the stage at the Aotea Centre to receive his master’s degree. It was the culmination of years of dedication, creativity, and cultural pride.

A graduate of De La Salle College in Māngere East, Ethan’s journey into architecture was born from a childhood love of art and creativity.

“From a young age, I had a deep love for art and spent countless hours being creative.”

“In high school, I faced a choice between graphic design and architecture. Ultimately, I chose architecture because I wanted to create designs that would physically come to life.”

Despite his passion, Ethan’s academic path wasn’t without its challenges. Studying during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 tested his focus and discipline.

“Learning from home was one of the biggest obstacles,” he says. “I had the freedom to do whatever I wanted—but I stayed focused and pushed through, keeping my end goal in mind: graduating and using my education to build a career that would support my family.”

Support played a critical role in Ethan’s success, both at home and on campus.

“The staff at Unitec have been incredibly supportive throughout my studies, always helping me stay on track and pushing my creativity to new heights.” 

It was this nurturing academic environment, combined with Unitec’s hands-on approach to learning, that solidified his decision to study with us.

“I chose Unitec after hearing great reviews about their architecture school. The emphasis on hands-on learning and diverse teaching methods stood out to me.”

Culture and architecture intertwined

Ethan says Fa’a Samoa, ‘the Samoan way’, has deeply influenced his architectural practice.

“The Samoan culture upholds values such as love, peace, respect, and family—values that are woven into everyday life. While my passion for design is a personal interest, these values guide me to treat each project as if it’s a new life, infusing my designs with meaning and purpose.”

As he moves from study into practice, Ethan remains grounded in gratitude—for his education, his mentors, and most importantly, his village. “Everything I do is focused on reaching a point where I can give back to the community that helped raise me.”

Ethan Hansell-Hunt’s story is a reminder that architecture is not just about buildings—it’s about people, place, and purpose. And for Ethan, it’s also about honouring the past while building a future.