Digits to drawings, behind the scenes with Sam
words by Jen Marsh
Every building starts with an idea, but making it stand up takes some serious number crunching. The structural engineer works out the maths behind the design, but calculations alone don’t tell the whole story. Those numbers need to become something people can see, understand and build from.
That’s where Sam comes in...
Pocket studio, Christchurch, June 2025
SAM: As a structural technician at Pocket, my job is to translate the engineer’s calculations and design decisions into clear, detailed drawings. You could think of it as putting images to numbers, showing how all the structural pieces fit together, from concrete and columns to beams and frames.
Our drawings communicate the engineering solution to architects, engineers and builders, helping bridge the gap between the maths behind a design and the people bringing it to life on site.
And while 3D models might look like they tell the whole story, there’s more to it than that. Clear, considered drawings are still essential for giving builders the information they need to turn a design into reality.
JEN: We are thrilled to be celebrating your 6th year working at Pocket, Have you always wanted to be a Structural Technician?
S: I have always been interested in architecture and how buildings come together and had originally thought about being an architect or builder… but I didn’t fancy being outside in the cold, so structural drafting felt like a natural fit, where I’m building structures in the comfort of a cozy studio through drawing, which I have always loved.
J: What do you enjoy most about the role?
S: Working with the amazing team at Pocket, we have a great leadership and strong business vision, so I feel valued and like my contribution is important. I also have a training and development part to my role as Studio Technician Leader, so it’s incredibly rewarding working with junior technicians and helping them grow in their own skills set. And of course, it’s hugely satisfying to be involved from the drawings through to a building that actually stands there in real life.
Pocket studio, Christchurch, November 2021
J: What keeps the job interesting after six years at Pocket?
S: Continued learning and growing. There are always new problems to solve, different approaches to try and new projects to look forward to. It keeps you thinking and stops things from getting boring! The team also keeps things interesting. It’s grown and evolved over the six years I’ve been here, and it’s been great to work with people who genuinely care about what they do.
J: What project types do you enjoy working on the most, and why?
S: We do an array of projects at Pocket, from commercial retail, and large architectural apartments, to small back country huts on top of a mountain. But my favourite is always high-end residential projects. They’re varied and unique, and you get to work with great architects on interesting designs. It’s rewarding to help turn those ideas into something buildable. I’ve also just started a personal house build, so I’m excited to put some of what I’ve seen in projects into my own home.
photo by Thomas Cannings
J: What part of your work has the biggest impact on a project?
S: The drawings and the communication that comes with them. Great drawings help engineers, architects and builders understand what needs to happen. Communicating that information clearly makes a real difference to how a project comes together.
J: What has surprised you most about working at Pocket?
S: How organised and thoughtful the team is. There’s a lot more behind a good set of drawings than people might realise.
J: What’s one thing you’ve learned that you wish you’d known when you started?
S: Building sections! I used to do heaps of them, but have learnt that clear detailing and only building sections taken at key locations are the most informative. I’ve learned that drafting isn’t just about producing drawings it’s about understanding their purpose and communicating what’s needed.
J: What’s something people assume about your job that isn’t true?
S: That 3D models do everything! They’re incredibly useful, but they don’t replace drawings. Drawings are still essential for communicating the information builders need on site. You can’t just hand over a model and expect it to do all the work.
Drawings being used on site, McCarthy Workshop, Christchurch, May 2024
J: Sam’s work is an important part of what we do at Pocket. It has been wonderful to work alongside him these past six years and I am delighted to announce that Sammy has just been promoted to Principal Technician at Pocket and we are thrilled to see how he shapes and grows the Technician Team and its resources over the next season. Here’s to six years of Super Sammy and plenty more good drawings, great projects and clever solutions to come!