A RETURN HOME - Aatos Design
After more than a decade in Sydney, design-led studio Aatos Design returns to New Zealand – bringing a refined, integrated approach to residential interiors.
Specialising in interior architecture and whole-home design, Aatos Design, led by husband-and-wife team Brad and Erin Donelley, is now based on the Matakana Coast. With experience across New Zealand and Australia, the studio offers a full-service approach to residential projects, guiding clients from initial concept through to spatial planning, documentation, procurement, and project delivery.
Established in Sydney, Aatos has been shaped by years of experience across residential and commercial interiors. Erin leads the creative direction – a Member of the Design Institute of New Zealand with a Bachelor of Design from Massey University, she brings a strong focus on spatial planning and materiality. Brad brings 20 years of expertise across technical design, cost management, and construction delivery, with a precision-driven approach that spans residential building design through to complex commercial projects.
Having worked together on projects since first meeting on an Auckland building site in 2008, theirs is a partnership built on shared experience as much as complementary strengths – allowing clients to move seamlessly from early design conversations through to completion, with a consistent level of care and accountability throughout.
The studio’s work is grounded in craftsmanship and purpose, reflecting a clear understanding of everyday liveability and function. "Well-resolved environments have a direct impact on how we live," says Erin. "Our role is to understand how our clients want to experience their home, and to shape spaces that support that in a meaningful and enduring way."
Each project begins with a thorough reading of both client and context. Whether delivering a new family home, a comprehensive renovation, or targeted upgrades such as bespoke kitchens and bathrooms, Aatos responds with a balance of design clarity and practical knowledge – working across interior environments and broader building elements to deliver cohesive, enduring outcomes.
The move back to New Zealand was both a personal and professional decision – drawn by family ties and a desire to reconnect with the landscape that continues to shape their work. Now based locally with their young family, Aatos Design is working with clients across the greater Auckland region to create considered homes that respond beautifully to the rural–coastal environment and way of life.
www.aatos.co.nz | www.Instagram.com/aatos_design