How a Leading Architect Won 4 Major Awards—Then Built a Brand to Match His Vision
Noel Jessop Architecture
Client: Noel Jessop, Principal of Noel Jessop Architecture
Industry: Architecture & Design
Business Size: Leading architectural practice, team of 7, known for thoughtful, client-centered design
The Problem
Noel Jessop had a clear philosophy:
Good design doesn’t need to be expensive or large.
It just needs to be better.
Noel believed that creating great architectural solutions was about asking the right questions and defining ultimate goals for spaces that accommodate the needs of individuals.
His work reflected this. But his brand didn’t.
Here’s what was happening:
- The brand didn’t capture the essence of Noel’s philosophy
- The website didn’t reflect the quality and thoughtfulness of the work
- Noel needed help articulating his vision in a way that resonated with clients and industry peers
- Noel had five major architectural award competition entries to write—and no time to do it.
What was at stake:
Recognition. Market position. And the ability to attract clients who valued quality over quantity.
Noel needed someone who could capture his essence, tell his story, and help him win.
What Made The Difference?
I was initially engaged by Noel to write five competition entries for a major architectural awards competition.
The result?
Four out of five entries won.
With that success, the projects kept coming.
Noel asked me to develop his new brand and website. And my team of highly skilled experts joined me to create great work for the ultimate creative critic.
Here’s the thing:
Noel is a pure artist and a perfectionist. Which is why he runs a leading architectural practice.
To say he is a harsh critic would be an understatement.
Working with someone like that is both a challenge and a privilege. Because if you get it right, you know you’ve truly captured something special.
The key insight:
Noel’s philosophy wasn’t just about architecture. It was about quality over quantity.
Projects don’t have to be bigger to be better, or expensive. But they have to be right for the occupants.
That became the foundation of everything.
Why Noel was my perfect client:
- He had a clear philosophy and a commitment to quality
- He was open to collaboration and willing to trust the process
- He gave me access to his work, his clients, and his vision
- He was a perfectionist who demanded the best—and we delivered
- He’s a nice guy, an astute businessman, and he loves cars (like me)
- We vibed together well.
And that made all the difference.
The Solution
What We Did
Phase 1: Award Entries (The Breakthrough Moment)
- Wrote five award entries for the NZ Architectural Awards
- Four out of five entries won
- This success opened the door to a much larger partnership.
Phase 2: Research & Discovery
- Researched Noel Jessop, his clients, competitors, and industry
- Conducted interviews to understand his philosophy, process, and vision.
Phase 3: Brand Strategy
Developed a simple but powerful Brand Strategy including:
- Positioning
- Personality
- Key Messages
- Brand Story.
The Big Idea
“Quality Over Quantity”
Quality runs through everything Noel Jessop Architecture does. Projects don’t have to be bigger to be better, or expensive.
But they have to be right for the occupants.
Phase 4: Website Architecture
- Developed new website architecture that reflected Noel’s philosophy and showcased his work in a way that resonated with clients.
Phase 5: Brand Identity System
- Created a new brand identity system with all associated materials
- Gave Noel a beautiful brand that matched the quality of his and his team’s work.
Phase 6: Website Design & Development
- Wrote, designed, and developed a new website based on our research, interviews, and website architecture
- Created a digital presence that matched the quality and thoughtfulness of his architectural work
- My designer, Jeremy, worked tirelessly on this project to get it right.
Phase 7: Content Creation
- Wrote blog posts and authority articles for the new website launch
- Helped position Noel as a thought leader in the industry.
The Transformation
Industry Recognition:
Four out of five award entries won at the NZ Architectural Awards.
This wasn’t just a win for Noel—it was validation of his philosophy and his work.
Brand & Website Success:
After launch, Noel and his team received a lot of unsolicited positive feedback.
The website got rave reviews. We nailed it.
Business Growth:
New projects came thick and fast .
The practice has continued to go from strength to strength, with a lot of extra work.
Long-Term Partnership:
We worked with Noel for several years. And the results kept coming.
Why This Project Mattered:
I have immense respect for Noel Jessop. Not only is he a nice guy and an astute businessman, he is incredibly particular about what he likes and doesn’t like.
Whilst I bring my A-game to every project, working with a highly creative individual made me want to step up even more.
When dealing with quality craftspeople (especially), you want the work to properly reflect them and to make a difference.
This project was no exception, and was considered a great success.
Noel now has a beautiful brand and a website to match. And his business continues to boom.
What Noel Said:
“We worked with Will Roffé, initially to get him to write five award entries for the NZ Architectural Awards. We ended up winning four of our five entries.
“After this, we engaged Will and his team to create our new brand identity system with all associated materials, and then write, design and develop our new website. The website got rave reviews, so they nailed it!
“We have worked with Will for several years and our practice has continued to go from strength to strength, with a lot of extra work. I am happy to recommend Will to you.”
The Lesson
This is what’s possible when a creative perfectionist recognises the need for help, trusts the strategic process, and commits to working with experts who understand his vision.
Noel didn’t just get a new website and a few award wins—he got a brand that reflects his philosophy, his work, and his commitment to quality over quantity.
And his business continues to boom.
Ready to Move from Friction to Flow?
Whether you need an overhaul of your messaging, a single landing page, or a complete brand strategy, book a 15-minute call and let’s see if we’re a good fit. No pressure. No sales pitch. Just a conversation about your business and whether I’m the right person to help you.
