Our Stories: Sue Cambie

A passion for design and creative problem-solving inspired Sue Cambie to become an architect. Hailing from Auckland, Sue’s career was successful from the word go. She worked for two of New Zealand’s most creative and successful architecture firms in Auckland. While there, she also completed private work, for some of which she won design awards.

Sue moved to London in 2001 and has had work commissioned in the UK, Europe and further afield. Her experience is vast; she created designs for many sectors including hospitality, retail, residential, arts, education and commerce.

Sue’s passion has taken her to countries like Thailand, where an interesting brief was to build a luxury home with 3 swimming pools and 26 toilets!

After turning down an opportunity to become a Managing Partner in a successful London architecture firm, Sue opened her London-based business, SCD-Design, in 2006. SCD Design combines architecture, interiors and project management under one roof. The business has been very successful. Sue’s future aspirations include getting more of a balance of projects between residential and hospitality work.

On a personal level, Sue says she’s “here [in the UK] for the long haul”. While she misses family and friends in New Zealand, as well as the great wine and the fantastic beaches, she has tried to remedy the beach problem by moving to Brighton. She says she has grown fond of the pebbly beach.