(Practice)

Practice.

Artifact is a contemporary architectural development company led by founders Sophie Wylie and Liam Joyce, operating at the intersection of design, development and delivery. The practice is focused on shaping residential environments from first principles, identifying potential in site, context and brief, and translating it into architecture that is both resolved and enduring.

Design leadership is directed by Sophie Wylie, whose experience within leading architectural practices including Cheshire Architects and RTA Studio has shaped a deep appreciation for thoughtful, enduring design. Working in close collaboration with some of New Zealand's foremost architects, Artifact is involved from the earliest stages of each project, helping define the vision, ambition and character of every home. This commitment extends well beyond design, with careful oversight throughout procurement and construction to ensure the architectural integrity, material quality and craftsmanship envisioned at conception are realised in the finished result.

Development leadership is directed by Liam Joyce, who brings over two decades of experience across residential property and project delivery. His focus is on unlocking value through disciplined site strategy, feasibility and execution, with a consistent emphasis on long-term relevance, ensuring each project is not only viable today, but remains meaningful over time.

Together, they form a unified practice model - where design intent and development intelligence are not separated, but held in continuous dialogue. This integration ensures ideas are tested early, refined rigorously, and delivered with precision.

Artifact operates as a curated development platform, assembling leading architects, interior designers, engineers, landscape designers, and trades for each project. Rather than a fixed authorship model, the practice is defined by orchestration, bringing together the best expertise for each context and guiding it through a clear, disciplined framework.

This structure enables a fully integrated offering across site acquisition, feasibility and strategy, design leadership, consultant coordination, development management and end-to-end delivery. The outcome is a body of work defined by coherence, clarity and control - from concept to completion.

Philosophy

Artifact is driven by a simple but exacting belief: that residential development should be as considered, crafted and enduring as architecture itself.

In a landscape shaped by repetition and acceleration, the practice is committed to a slower, more deliberate form of making - where every project is derived from its specific conditions rather than imposed upon them. Context is not reference; it is the starting point.

With a growing body of work across New Zealand, Artifact is contributing to a broader redefinition of contemporary residential development - one that privileges clarity over complexity, longevity over immediacy, and restraint over expression.

Recognition

Accolades

Testimonials

Strong relationships sit at the centre of how Artifact operates - with clients, consultants, craftspeople and delivery partners all contributing to the making of each project. These perspectives reflect not only the finished work, but the collaborative process behind it: one defined by clarity, trust and a shared commitment to quality.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with Artifact across three projects. It’s been incredibly rewarding to collaborate with a developer that is both ambitious and deeply committed to design and quality. When everyone around the table shares the same vision, the challenge of creating something special becomes a genuine pleasure. We’re proud of the outcomes we’ve achieved together in helping to redefine pockets of Auckland, and we look forward to seeing that legacy continue.”

Hamish Monk – Monk Mackenzie

“Artifact are not developers that just press the start button and sit back and let other people do it, they’re very much involved and are very passionate about what they want to deliver".

Edward Pack - Bayleys Real Estate

"Buying a highend apartment off the plans is never simple, but working with Liam and Sophie from Artifact made the entire experience a breeze. Their attention to detail, commitment to quality, and a genuine focus on the customer's experience sets them apart in a market where those qualities are rare. The Exhibit is a complex, premium development, yet Liam and Sophie along with their construction team delivered it with a level of professionalism and care that gave us complete confidence from start to finish. They understand what it takes to build truly highend residential spaces and it showed in every interaction with them and in every detail of the final product. We could not be happier with our new apartment or with the experience of working with them."

Mark Bower - Exhibit On Jervois

“Thanks Sophie and Liam. Absolutely love my apartment. Dealing with Artifact was a pleasure, very accommodating and attention to every detail was so appreciated.”

Wendy Gosling – Jervois Apartments

"From the very beginning, Sophie and Liam were genuine, professional, and committed to delivering on their vision. The process was seamless, communication was excellent, and every change I requested was accommodated. I'm thrilled with my apartment - the quality, design, and attention to detail exceeded my expectations. There are no developer shortcuts here, just a beautifully crafted building that our entire community loves. I highly recommend Artifact."

Wendy Bunting - Jervois Apartments

“For us it’s all in the details, the light and the spaces. Artifact created an inspiring place that we are proud to live and work in.”

Prudence + Ryan Marx – Hinemoa Street Townhouses