The Dunedin company is continuing its work for Chinese fashion label Marisfrolg with the third of a series of buildings in an industrial park at Shenzhen in the Guangdong province.
Architect Fred van Brandenburg had been working on the project for four years after the fashion house approached him to build a factory and other buildings and water features.
"They tracked us down and we were lucky enough to go across and give them our ideas. There was instant synergy and they just accepted our ideas," he said.
With construction well under way on a factory and warehouse, the foundations were now being dug for another building which may house a spa.
The building was designed with a clam-shell roof, as Mr van Brandenburg was attracted to "forms found in nature".
"Nature has figured out its own structural integrity," he said.
He and his son, architecture graduate Damien, and product designer Griff Humphreys communicated with their client through 3D models, which was a "unique way of working".
The team travelled regularly to China to share the models, and keep the project managers and builders updated.
The multimillion-dollar development had allowed the firm to gain much attention in China.
"We are getting quite a lot of attention over there because they are promoting the building . . . we are shining by reflected light."
They were constantly "refining and honing" their designs, and hoped to be able to implement them in New Zealand, Mr van Brandenburg said.
His work was largely in the tourism industry in Queenstown, and he opened an office in Dunedin specifically to complete the China project.
They had created models for the Octagon and a bridge linking Queens Gardens with the waterfront.
"The Octagon needs a facelift, so we thought while we are here, we have some time to come up with some ideas," Damien said.
The concept included taking traffic out of the area and creating a canopy of trees, with solar-powered heating panels, to provide shelter.
With the Rugby World Cup, the council had been doing "exactly what they need to do on a full-time basis".
