Jake Woolgar
Director
Chartered and Registered Building Surveyor
Jake leads the building pathology and expert witness team at AS Jacobs Ltd. Since graduating from University with an Honours Degree in Building Surveying, Jake has worked in the UK, South East Asia and New Zealand in various building surveying roles. Prior to forming AS Jacobs Ltd, Jake worked for eight years as a senior building surveyor at a leading building consultancy practice in Auckland. Prior to this Jake worked as a technical advisor in the building consents department of a territorial authority.
Jake has extensive experience in surveying buildings for weather tightness and construction defects, providing repair recommendations and specialist remediation designs as a licensed building practitioner and administering construction contracts on a range of buildings from single level houses to multi storey apartment blocks and government owned buildings. Further to these roles, Jake regularly assists legal counsel in providing expert witness services and has given evidence in some of the highest profile leaky building High Court cases in New Zealand.
Andrew Sweeney
Director
Chartered and Registered Building Surveyor
Andrew leads the commercial building surveying team at AS Jacobs Ltd. Since graduating from University with an Honours Degree in Building Surveying and moving to New Zealand in 2007, Andrew has worked for leading property consultancies in both Australia and New Zealand. He has carried out a range of work from technical due diligence for both vendors and purchasers to negotiating end of lease obligations for both landlords and tenants.
Further to this, Andrew has been heavily involved in the defect reporting of education and multi unit apartment blocks, and providing expert witness services to legal counsel, gaining valuable experience in Wellington’s largest leaky building claim.
Emma Chambers
Chartered Building Surveyor
Emma graduated with an Honours Degree in Building Surveying and then worked with a leading property consultancy in the UK, where she became a Chartered Building Surveyor (RICS). She has a wide range of experience across the commercial surveying sector conducting building condition surveys, technical due diligence, feasibilities and dilapidations. Specialising in Contract Administration, she has worked on various projects across retail, industrial, offices, healthcare, and education.
Since emigrating to New Zealand in 2017, she has also developed a wide range of NZ related experience. This includes investigating and reporting on weathertightness defects, preparing scope of work and design documentation for remediation projects, and acting as Engineer to the Contract under the NZS3910:2013 form of construction contract. Emma also has substantial experience in the assessment of passive fire protection, in both the UK and NZ.
Graham Durkin
Registered Building Surveyor
Graham’s responsibilities at AS Jacobs encompass a wide range of specialities. These include building condition inspections, defect analysis and expert witness for legal claims. In addition to this, Graham also prepares scope of work documentation, undertakes the procurement of public and private contracts, and acts as Engineer to the Contract carried out under the NZS3910:2013 form of construction contract.
Commercially, Graham carries out premise condition reports, technical due diligence and end of lease dilapidations inspections and negotiations.
Graham is a member of the Weathertightness Review Panel for the Ministry of Education, where he provides expert review and recommendations on the Ministry of Education property assets.
Graham is also a Certified Asbestos Assessor, and is the Upper North Island Chapter Co-ordinator for the NZIBS. In this role he provides guidance and information to new and transitional members of the Institute.
Rico Chan
Principal Architect
Rico is a highly qualified architect with extensive experience in a wide range of projects having worked with clients such as Ministry of Education, Ministry of Social Development, Kāinga Ora, and Kiwi Rail.
As a Principal Architect with all-round skills, Rico brings his vast experience working across commercial and private residential developments such as multi-unit developments and apartments, mixed use developments, residential houses, new sub-divisions, clinical buildings, supermarkets and service stations, office buildings and institutional buildings and re-cladding projects throughout New Zealand and abroad.
With a meticulous nature and a strong attention to detail, Rico oversees every job he undertakes with professional expertise, hands-on delivery and skill. His comprehensive architectural knowledge is strengthened by a deep understanding of code compliance issues and resource and building consent documentation and applications. He can be relied upon to carry out rigorous observations and supervision on behalf of clients to ensure projects are completed to contractual requirements.
With a practical and logical approach Rico has the ability to think pragmatically about design. By understanding commercial reality, Rico can recommend appropriate design solutions from the project outset.
Rico understands the importance of listening to his clients’ needs and his ability to conceptualise the client’s brief, bringing innovation and dedication to his projects has resulted in many repeat clients, both in the public and private sector.
Rico’s design philosophy is to provide efficient and effective design solutions for the end users of spaces with sustainable elements of appropriate architectural language. He is passionate about providing optimal architectural solutions, that will enhance the daily operation of the activities within spaces and enrich the lives of those who will be using them.
Jason Dourado
Building Surveyor
Jason graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, and a Masters in Architecture (Prof).
After his short stint as an architectural graduate, Jason decided to pursue a career in Building Surveying to learn from a grassroots level the pragmatics of construction, materiality, building pathology and relevant legislation.
Jason has administered NZS3910:2013 contracts in several remediation projects of varying size and scope and has also carried out extensive weathertightness investigations/ reporting, technical due diligence and building defect inspections for Body Corporates, the Ministry and Education and District health boards.
Jason is currently working towards becoming a registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) and a Chartered Building Surveyor (RICS).
Rebecca Ward
In-House Legal Counsel
Rebecca’s legal qualifications are complemented by her significant knowledge and practical experience in construction and procurement.
Rebecca has over 10 years’ experience, and has amassed a broad understanding of the property industry and related professions including building and quantity surveying, architectural design, and dispute resolution.
Rebecca has significant experience in the preparation and management of tenders and contracts, and is experienced in the review and preparation of evidence for expert witnesses.
Pranay Patel
Building Surveyor
Pranay graduated from the University of Auckland in 2016 with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies and Masters of Architecture (Prof) Honours degree. Pranay has worked in the field of architecture for two years, gaining a wide range of experience across the commercial, residential, and educational sectors.
Pranay joined AS Jacobs in 2018 to pursue a career in Building Surveying where he has developed a wide range of experience across the commercial, retail, industrial, healthcare, and education sectors. This includes investigating and reporting on weathertightness defects, premise condition surveys, technical due diligence, contract administration for remedial projects, and preparation of design documentation, scope of works, and specifications.
Pranay is currently working towards becoming a registered member of the New Zealand Institute of Building Surveyors (NZIBS) and a Chartered Building Surveyor (RICS).
David Major
Senior Project Manager
David joined the AS Jacobs team with 14 years of experience in Property and Project Management, for a cross section of clients and acting as their representative on numerous development, refurbishment, and remediation projects. Over this time he has developed skills in Asset, Facilities, and Project Management.
He has a passion for Project Management and ensuring that any solutions exceeds the requirements and expectations of the end user. He is a qualified Asset Manager with NAMS/IPWEA (NZ Asset Management Support / Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia), and mentors students working towards their accreditation. David’s public service experience and out of the box thinking make him a problem solver, and invaluable asset to the team.
He has a degree in philosophy and ethics so is always looking for an opportunity to have an existential argument, and on weekends he can be found exploring local parks, beaches, and ice cream shops with his young family.
Roger Crichton
Registered Building Surveyor
Roger has experience in project management, working on residential and commercial buildings. He has worked extensively in the UK as a Builder, involved with multi-million dollar projects. On returning home to New Zealand, he has worked for leading re-clad companies as a Technical and Senior Contracts Manager, overseeing large teams of builders re-cladding and re-furbishing multi-unit apartments throughout New Zealand.
Roger has acted as an expert witness in High Court claims, and has attended mediation on numerous occasions. He has extensive experience investigating leaky buildings and large apartment building/complexes suffering from original construction issues. Roger has a comprehensive range of expertise within the New Zealand Construction Industry and is frequently engaged by home owners and Body Corporates.
Millar Sykes
Building Surveyor
Millar graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 2019 with a Bachelor of Building Science, double majoring in Project Management and Sustainable Engineering Systems.
Millar is very keen to work alongside the experienced staff at AS Jacobs to further develop his skills and knowledge, whilst working towards becoming a Chartered Building Surveyor in the future.
Karli Baker
Administrator
Karli joined the team in 2019, after relocating to Auckland from the Bay of Islands. Changing from her position in retail, Karli has moved to work in administration support with AS Jacobs. She enjoys working with the admin team, in the fast-paced role.
Karli has a passion for systems, law and legal practices and is currently completing her Diploma in Legal Executive Studies.
Outside of work, she enjoys travelling, cooking, and spending time with friends and family.
Muniza Gilani
Architectural Designer
Muniza graduated from Mumbai University, India with a Bachelor of Architecture and has completed a Master of Construction Project Management from Massey University, Auckland. She has a strong background in Architectural Design, Planning, and Interior Design for residential, commercial, and public projects. She has mainly worked on new builds residential projects in Auckland. She is keen on learning various aspects of construction from other professionals and bring her expertise as an Architectural Designer at AS Jacobs.
Apart from work, she enjoys travelling and exploring new places, reading books, and volunteering for the community.
Carlo Ramos
Architectural Technician
Carlo graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelors and Masters of Architectural Studies.
After completing his Masters he gained varied experience at a structural steel fabrication company in which he was involved in procurement, administering construction contracts and preparing shop drawings.
Prior to AS Jacobs he has worked at an architectural practice specialising in residential architecture where he gained experience in the detail design and documentation phases.
He is currently working towards becoming a registered architect and is excited to learn from the experienced professionals here at AS Jacobs and contribute to the company’s success.
Samantha Polovnikoff
Architectural Technician
Samantha Graduated from the University of Auckland with a Bachelor of Architectural Studies in 2018 and a Master of Architecture in 2021.
Originally from the Bay of Islands, Samantha has a passion for Architecture and Design. She is excited to gain a large range of valuable experience alongside knowledgeable co-workers.
Laura Elliott
Administrator
Laura has worked in the UK, Australia and New Zealand in a variety of positions, from dance teaching where she gained her degree, to Administrative and Executive roles in the business sector. She is process driven, dynamic and has strong attention to detail. Laura is passionate about customer service, effective administration and enjoys liaising with teams and clients to achieve the best outcome for all parties.
Jamie-Lee Walker
Administrator
With an extensive administration background, Jamie has decided to take on a new challenge – joining our admin team after many years in the tertiary education industry.
She is passionate about customer service and making sure all T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted. Jamie enjoys working in a fast paced, dynamic team environment.
Eugene Kim
Senior Architectural Designer
Eugene shifted to AS Jacobs after working at previous companies for 10+ years. He felt it was time to expand his knowledge and learn from other designers and professionals.
He specializes in residential developments, focusing on three essential principles – Expertise, performance and value, in order to give clients plans that work.
Mark Antonievich
Project Manager / Registered Building Surveyor
Mark began Building Surveying in 2009 following a comprehensive and varied design career which spanned more than 20 years. He was involved in projects ranging from group housing and subdivision design, multi-unit residential, high end stand-alone homes, commercial warehousing, shopping malls, cinemas and the Sky City Casino and SkyTower in Auckland City, as well as extensive remedial design for leaky buildings.
Since re-training as a Building Surveyor and becoming registered in 2015, Mark has managed and administered NZS3910:2013 contracts in numerous remediation projects of varying size and scope. These range from residential remediation, Ministry of Education School building remediation through to the remediation of a large, multi-unit residential development. Mark has also carried out extensive weathertightness investigations and general defect inspections for homeowners, Body Corporates, and the Ministry of Education.
Commercially, Mark carries out Technical Due diligence surveys, premise condition surveys and long-term maintenance plans.
Chloe Skyrme
Administrator
Chloe is currently studying towards getting her diploma in Interior Design through The Interior Design Institute.
With previous experience as a Personal Assistant, she is looking forward to learning new skills as an administrator at AS Jacobs.
In her spare time Chloe enjoys spending time with her family and friends.
Jagruthi Puttappa
Project Manager
Jagruthi has obtained a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Construction Technology and Management at Sri Jayachamarajendra College of Engineering in India. After moving to New Zealand in 2015, she continued her studies – gaining a Masters at AUT, where she was also accepted as a research assistant.
Jagruthi has gained experience in delivering several remediation projects for education facilities and Body Corporate residential buildings. She has also worked on large upgrade projects for a Community Trust which included condition surveys and subsequent upgrades, having significant practice in managing and documentation of the contract administration phase.
Jagruthi is a highly organized and detail orientated professional with 5 years of progressive construction industry experience. Well-versed in project planning and budget management. Diligent, forward-thinking, and adaptable to dynamic company, client, and project needs. Her calm and methodical approach under pressure is much valued by the wider team of project stakeholders.
Kieron O’Halloran
Property Consultant
Kieron is due to graduate with a Bachelor of Architecture through Unitec Institute of Technology in October 2022.
He is very passionate about architecture and has wider interests in project management, both residential and commercial design, and property development – this will allow him to grasp all fields of a project.
Kieron is very eager to become a registered architect, to bridge the link between design and construction.
Lance Harris
Building Surveyor
With onsite knowledge and focus on the successful overseeing of building design, and firsthand experience within the construction industry, Lance brings 28 years of previous experience as a successful builder/contractor.
Over the last 4 years, Lance has trained as a building surveyor and is excited and enjoying the challenging experiences gained by learning this new skillset.
Lance brings experience in onsite analysis ranging from destructive investigations through to pre-purchase inspections of commercial buildings, apartments, and new and existing residential properties.
Due to his hands on experience and history with building materials and techniques, Lance is fully conversant offering guidance and reporting on these topics.
