Lien Bui’s passion is design. Whether it’s her love for interiors and art galleries, or her minor shoe obsession – Lien is in her element when surrounded by creativity. “Design is something I really love,” she says. “I enjoy it on so many levels. Work is a real joy because I’m doing what I love.”

Being an advocate for people-centred design, to Lien, brilliant architecture is personal. It’s about your ultimate utopia, and that’s different for everyone. Through finding joy in travel, Lien has gained a rich experience of observing different occupations of space and methods of living.

Lien recently renovated her Miramar home and couldn’t help incorporating something out of the ordinary in its design - a swing in the office. Born out of experimentation, she wanted a place where people could feel totally comfortable and free. “Swings are these very relaxing, melodical objects. You associate freedom with them; the childhood memory of wind in your hair. My swing is full of hope and joy. It’s a lovely space.” She intentionally placed the swing in view of her garden, and Lien jokes that when someone sits on it, they feel so relaxed she can convince them to do whatever she asks.

Originally from Vietnam, Lien’s journey to becoming an architect wasn’t straight forward. After arriving in New Zealand as a child, Lien’s family moved to Masterton, “where sheep outnumbered people”. Then they all moved over to Australia, where Lien studied the sciences at secondary school and gained a degree in Medical Radiation Science. She pursued a career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist, but found it repetitive and lacking in creativity. “I was passionate about design, but didn’t know how to articulate that”.

Lien chose to change career paths and study architecture, graduating with first class honours from the University of Technology Sydney. After a decade of working in the architectural industry over the ditch, Lien moved back to New Zealand in 2020 and joined the Pynenburg & Collins team. A year later she was made Associate and started leading large, complex projects for our sister company, Lab-works, as well as designing for local residential clients.

At work, Lien has a warm, collaborative approach, with a particular devotion for working with younger team members, nurturing their interests, and helping develop their skills.

Now, as part of her role at Pynenburg & Collins, Lien tutors at Victoria University of Wellington. Running a stream in the architecture school called ‘Know My Land’, she collaborates with students to design a structure that will enhance people’s overnight experience at Zealandia, an eco-sanctuary in Wellington. Lien describes herself as “a little bit green around the edges,” being concerned with waste reduction and energy consumption. This sustainable tourism focus is a natural merging of her architectural practice and her love of travel.

As a mentor she doesn’t just teach her students; she learns from them too. Lien can see potential in a space the same way she sees it in her students. By listening to their thoughts and learning their talents you can nurture their own personal brilliance. Architecture is much the same.

“It’s about sharing knowledge and inspiration,” says Lien, “Young people buck the trends. They don’t have the constraints of life so they’re optimistic, and often come up with really left-field ideas.”

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