Elemental Architecture Owner

Anna Rhees

Hello, I’m Anna Rhees. I started Elemental Architecture as a way to share my knowledge and passion for the design of simple, timeless, high-performance homes. 

I have been fascinated with the art of designing and building home for as long as I can remember. I grew up on job sites throughout my childhood. My father ran a residential design-build company. I was both helping with design work and running all the power tools by the time I was about 14. I designed and built my first house solo at the age of 22.  I love being on the tools, and will probably always have a building project going, but design is my real passion. After a few years of working in construction and dabbling in real estate, signwriting, and landscaping, I went back to school and completed my architecture degree at the University of Virginia in 2014.  

I now live in the amazing little town of Raglan, NZ with my husband Chris. In my spare time you can find me working on my own home, making artwork, going for long swims and walks, or burying my nose in a book. I was an internationally competitive mogul and freeride skier for most of my teenage years, and I still love the snow. I try to make time every year for a ski trip and visit with my family in the US.