Marle women
maria hosking
Photography Greta van der Star
Marle women
Marle Women is a series that delves into the lives of inspiring women. Through thoughtful and intimate conversations, we uncover the unique journeys and perspectives that shape their stories.
In this edition, we speak with Registered Architect, Maria Hosking. With a practice grounded in natural materials and spaces centred around family life, we discuss the beauty of problem-solving and the art of designing spaces that feel authentic and lived-in.
let's begin simply, how would you describe yourself and the work you do today?
I am a Registered Architect, specialising in residential and community projects from early consultation and masterplanning to design, consenting, interiors and construction. Away from the plans and site visits, life is busy in the best way with my husband, James, our two boys George (7) and Arne (4), and dog, Oscar.
how did you come into architecture? was it something you dreamed of early on, or a path you found later?
My mum is very creative, an artist across multiple mediums, while my dad and three older brothers all work in the construction industry…design and building are in my blood. My mum did the Nanette Cameron School of Interior Design course when I was around eight and I remember having a workbook alongside her, studying colour wheels and putting together sample boards!
In secondary school my brothers were living overseas, so visiting them meant lots of travel. We made a habit of seeking out great buildings and galleries, and it stuck. I went straight to university from school, and architecture felt instinctive – the perfect mix of my creative and academic strengths, shaped by what I’d been exposed to growing up.
are there materials or textures you're instinctively drawn to in your work?
I am drawn to natural materials and materials that are fit for purpose. This might be qualities of tactility or more practical attributes like being low maintenance and robust, or materials that support passive solar design in terms of thermal properties or have a low environmental impact.
WHEN CREATING YOUR OWN HOME, WHAT WERE THE DECISIONS THAT MATTERED MOST?
I designed the home we are in now nine years ago, with starting a family in mind. I wanted a home that felt closely connected to nature and felt immersed in the garden. We made a conscious decision to keep the footprint smaller so we could maximise quality for our budget, and then worked hard to make it feel generous in other ways, with no space wasted.
Right now, I am in the final stages of designing a new home for our family. It’s a renovation and extension to a south-facing bungalow, so I’ve had to work a lot harder this time to capture the sun and connect to the sloping site. I think a lot about our daily rituals from drinking coffee to packing lunchboxes and coming home from school pick up and how to make a home that caters for these small things with joy.
WHAT'S SOMETHING YOU'VE LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF THROUGH BECOMING AN ARCHITECT?
Becoming an Architect and practicing architecture is extremely challenging! I have learnt to recognise that in times that feel impossibly hard, to keep pushing and brace myself for the personal and professional growth that follows – there is a lot of reward in that.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE PEOPLE FEEL WHEN THEY WALK INTO A SPACE YOU'VE DESIGNED?
Comfort in ways they may not instantly recognise – the temperature’s just right, the air moves well and lighting is soft. My hope is people feel connected to nature, and almost instinctively invited to slow down. I love creating spaces where everyday life, art, and the things people treasure most are held in a considered way, so environments feel calm, warm, and genuinely lived in.
WITH SO MUCH HAPPENING IN YOUR WORK, HOW DO YOU STAY CREATIVE?
I love to problem solve and often use this as a creative driver. Rather than looking externally I try to focus on what’s right in front of me, the brief, the people, the site, and budget. More often than not, the inspiration and the answers are already there.
DO YOU HAVE RITUALS THAT HELP YOU BEGIN OR END THE DAY?
For the past year I have been starting the day with shots of kvass tonics from Clover Ferments - it’s a great way to wake up my body! And of course, lots of cuddles with my boys. I like to write lists at the end of the day to get things off my mind before I start winding down for bed.
IN CLOTHING, IS THERE A SHAPE OR FABRIC YOU ALWAYS FEEL MOST YOURSELF IN?
I am always drawn to natural fabrics and often oversized silhouettes. I love the comfort of great pants (especially the Aden Pant!) paired with a shirt.
WHERE DO YOU TEND TO LOOK FOR INSPIRATION?
I try not to overwhelm myself by scrolling through endless imagery online and instead, am always looking for opportunities to experience architecture in real life. This might be an organised tour, an open home, a site visit with a builder, or simply a public space right down to a new bar or even a public toilet. I learn the most this way, by noticing how others have solved similar problems, and paying attention to how a space actually feels, not just how it photographs.
WHAT FEELS IMPORTANT TO YOU AT THIS MOMENT, WHETHER IN YOUR WORK OR IN THE WAY YOU WANT TO LIVE?
Being environmentally responsible in terms of the impact of the work I design, and not just at the point of build, but across the whole life cycle of the building. And on a more personal level, it’s designing for the life we want to live, rather than how others are living theirs.
TO CLOSE, DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMENDATIONS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE?
We spent the last three weeks in the Coromandel, mostly Whangamata, and kept finding our way back to Camina, a gorgeous, local spot where everything’s cooked over an open fire. It’s the perfect intimate vibe, with a menu that balances local ingredients and international flavour.
