Band of brothers: Christchurch architect and engineer work together, play together
25/3/2025
HMOA Christchurch's Lewis Ellison not only plays in a band with his brother, Connor, they've recently been working together. We asked Lewis about both projects ...
Lewis, how did you come to be working with your brother on an HMOA project?
Since moving to Christchurch in 2023, I've always secretly hoped that I would be able to work on a project with my brother, who is a structural engineer at ENGCO. The project known as Superlot 1 became that project for us. It's one of the central city "super lots" that's being developed by Fletcher Living as connected but distinct neighbourhoods.
We think it's pretty lucky to have brothers working on the same project; we tend to discuss tricky details when we get together for dinner or a walk around the Port Hills, so the client gets a fair amount of free work from us.
I joined the project halfway through the initial concept phase and have now followed it through to the end of the detailed design, with work on site starting soon.
Superlot 1 is a uniquely Christchurch site, bordered by the popular Margaret Mahy Playground and the Ōtākaro/Avon River, with its iconic line of towering poplar trees. It's the second project HMOA has worked on for Fletcher Living; we finished the Carriage Quarter apartment development last year.
"I've always secretly hoped that I would be able to work on a project with my brother"
You also play in a band together, can you tell us more about that?
Yes, aside from working together, Connor and I finally got the opportunity to start our band when I moved down to Christchurch from Wellington.
We formed a two-piece, indie synthesizer band called Peppy Baggins – the name is inspired by peppermint tea bags – and have been writing music together for two and a bit years now.
We’ve played some gigs around Christchurch and have released a few singles onto streaming services with more in the works.
We describe ourselves as "A dynamic duo of talented brothers creating an exhilarating soundscape with our original indie rock music. Our music embodies a captivating fusion of raw energy, introspective lyrics and infectious melodies."
There's been some positive feedback from the audience, including:
“I've never seen an architect and an engineer work so well together.”
So, no qualms about your decision to move to Christchurch?
It's been such a good decision! The city is so vibrant; full of wonderful people, art, events and food, which I highly recommend to anyone thinking about moving here.
I’ve also been enjoying working at HMOA, especially how fresh and exciting the studio work is – there’s always a new challenge to keep me engaged.
I've already worked on a range of great projects: from the Trade Me Christchurch's new interior fit-out, to the strengthening and refurbishment of the Category 1 heritage-listed Hokitika Government Building to Fletcher Living's multi-unit housing developments on such prominent sites in central Christchurch.
"There’s always a new challenge to keep me engaged."
