- Words by Angela Cowan Photography by Lia Crowe

After nearly 30 years at the helm of Zebra Group, designer Rus Collins is as energized as ever by the creative process that sees ideas transformed into reality. And that enthusiasm and energy has only increased since launching Zebra Construction in 2004 with his business partner Martin Whitehead.

香蕉视频直播淲e couldn香蕉视频直播檛 possibly build all the houses we design, but every one that we get to do, it香蕉视频直播檚 satisfying and rewarding to see how the vision we all had at the beginning is fully realized at the end,香蕉视频直播� says Rus, adding, 香蕉视频直播淚 get most excited about working on infill projects. Whether it香蕉视频直播檚 tearing an old house down, or having it picked up and taken away on a barge, you香蕉视频直播檙e left with a blank lot. Starting from scratch in an established neighbourhood香蕉视频直播攆or me I find it challenging.香蕉视频直播�

With the trend in design still leaning modern, it adds another layer of complexity to fitting those puzzle pieces together, especially when the neighbourhood is full of older, traditional homes.

香蕉视频直播淚 like modern homes,香蕉视频直播� Rus says, 香蕉视频直播渁nd I like them to fit wherever they香蕉视频直播檙e put.香蕉视频直播�

One of the most satisfying moments came recently when Rus decided to take a detour by a modern house Zebra Group had done in Oak Bay for a repeat client, and learned that very often, passersby would stop and just look at the house, complimenting its design and feel.

香蕉视频直播淚 hadn香蕉视频直播檛 seen it since the lot was vacant and we designed the house,香蕉视频直播� says Rus. 香蕉视频直播淎nd that香蕉视频直播檚 really fulfilling to hear that kind of feedback. I want it to be something people look at because they香蕉视频直播檙e interested and intrigued by it, but also because it does fit in as part of that streetscape.香蕉视频直播�

He adds: 香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 hoping that for a lot of our designs香蕉视频直播攐nce the landscaping is mature香蕉视频直播攜ou don香蕉视频直播檛 know if the house is 10 or 50 years old.香蕉视频直播�

Outside of the office, Rus feeds his creativity with cooking, art and painting, among other pursuits.

香蕉视频直播淚 love to cook. Ever since the COVID pandemic started, I香蕉视频直播檝e been baking bread and making sauerkraut, and making pickles and other neat, fermented things,香蕉视频直播� he says. 香蕉视频直播淎nd I also like to paint. I find that what I do for a living is so exact香蕉视频直播攚hen you draw houses and floor plans, it香蕉视频直播檚 so technical香蕉视频直播攕o when I go to paint, I want the opposite. I want to be freer with the brush.香蕉视频直播�

He香蕉视频直播檚 drawn to abstracts, and since getting 香蕉视频直播渟eriously香蕉视频直播� into painting in 2007, has sold some pieces.

香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 definitely a parallel between painting and art and architecture,香蕉视频直播� he says. 香蕉视频直播淎 painting is supposed to capture your interest, and lead you through it. [A paintings is] like a house. To me, a house needs to draw you in. When you open the front door, you don香蕉视频直播檛 want to run to the back of the house to look at the view. If you draw them in, and lead them through it, then maybe they香蕉视频直播檙e experiencing your artwork, or some architectural feature, and then when they get to the view, it香蕉视频直播檚 a completely different experience.香蕉视频直播�

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

I香蕉视频直播檓 actually quite comfortable walking in my own shoes. If there is one thing I香蕉视频直播檝e learned over the years, it香蕉视频直播檚 that no matter how appealing someone else香蕉视频直播檚 life may look from the outside, every one of us carries our own demons.

Gluttony:

What is the food you could eat over and over again?

Sashimi and sushi. And did I mention I like to drink red wine? Oh, and pizza香蕉视频直播�

Greed:

You香蕉视频直播檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

After COVID, I香蕉视频直播檇 buy two first-class tickets to travel around the world until I run out of money.

Wrath:

Pet peeves?

Political correctness has gone too far, and there are too many rules that control how we live.

Sloth:

Where would you spend a long time doing nothing?

Anywhere in the world that is warm, with a beautiful beach and a good selection of wine. Hawaii, Barcelona, Nice, to name a few!

Pride:

What is the one thing you香蕉视频直播檙e secretly proud of?

My business, with my hard-working partners and staff that always show their strong work ethic and integrity, plus the amazing clients who have helped us be successful.

Lust:

What makes your heart beat faster?

A warm, sunny day, driving my car with the top down and the right music playing on the stereo, next to my girl, and on a road trip adventure to somewhere we香蕉视频直播檝e never been.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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