Tall Stories: Julianne Manuguid and George Russell

Guy Marriage, academic, architect and author, hosts this episode with guests Julianne Manuguid and George Russell. Julianne is completing her Master’s at Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington’s School of Architecture. She is a member of both the Institute’s Central Region Committee and the Young Professional Advisors, plus she’s done some excellent contract work for the Institute. George is a Project Manager at Wilson Building and Commercial, he was the 2023 Supreme winner at the Institute’s NZ Building People Awards for his work on the Samoa High Commission project. Guy, George and Jullianne discuss the importance of getting on site experience as well as design and theoretical training; using technology and what’s ahead; diversity in Aotearoa’s construction industry; the importance of working in a team and in not burning bridges (NZ is too small for that). We also hear more about George’s experience leading the Samoa high Commission project from how his firm was successful in the tender to the challenged of working on an extremely steep site (even for Wellington where there is never an easy project). George also touches on what made the project particularly special including how Samoan culture and customs were incorporated not just into the building itself but into how his team worked on site.