- 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.

B次元官网网址淲e couldnB次元官网网址檛 possibly build all the houses we design, but every one that we get to do, itB次元官网网址檚 satisfying and rewarding to see how the vision we all had at the beginning is fully realized at the end,B次元官网网址� says Rus, adding, B次元官网网址淚 get most excited about working on infill projects. Whether itB次元官网网址檚 tearing an old house down, or having it picked up and taken away on a barge, youB次元官网网址檙e left with a blank lot. Starting from scratch in an established neighbourhoodB次元官网网址攆or me I find it challenging.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淚 like modern homes,B次元官网网址� Rus says, B次元官网网址渁nd I like them to fit wherever theyB次元官网网址檙e put.B次元官网网址�

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.

B次元官网网址淚 hadnB次元官网网址檛 seen it since the lot was vacant and we designed the house,B次元官网网址� says Rus. B次元官网网址淎nd thatB次元官网网址檚 really fulfilling to hear that kind of feedback. I want it to be something people look at because theyB次元官网网址檙e interested and intrigued by it, but also because it does fit in as part of that streetscape.B次元官网网址�

He adds: B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 hoping that for a lot of our designsB次元官网网址攐nce the landscaping is matureB次元官网网址攜ou donB次元官网网址檛 know if the house is 10 or 50 years old.B次元官网网址�

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

B次元官网网址淚 love to cook. Ever since the COVID pandemic started, IB次元官网网址檝e been baking bread and making sauerkraut, and making pickles and other neat, fermented things,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎nd I also like to paint. I find that what I do for a living is so exactB次元官网网址攚hen you draw houses and floor plans, itB次元官网网址檚 so technicalB次元官网网址攕o when I go to paint, I want the opposite. I want to be freer with the brush.B次元官网网址�

HeB次元官网网址檚 drawn to abstracts, and since getting B次元官网网址渟eriouslyB次元官网网址� into painting in 2007, has sold some pieces.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 definitely a parallel between painting and art and architecture,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淎 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 donB次元官网网址檛 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 theyB次元官网网址檙e experiencing your artwork, or some architectural feature, and then when they get to the view, itB次元官网网址檚 a completely different experience.B次元官网网址�

Envy:

Whose shoes would you like to walk in?

IB次元官网网址檓 actually quite comfortable walking in my own shoes. If there is one thing IB次元官网网址檝e learned over the years, itB次元官网网址檚 that no matter how appealing someone elseB次元官网网址檚 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 pizzaB次元官网网址�

Greed:

YouB次元官网网址檙e given $1 million that you have to spend selfishly. What would you spend it on?

After COVID, IB次元官网网址檇 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 youB次元官网网址檙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 weB次元官网网址檝e never been.

Story courtesy of , a Black Press Media publication
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