the story
Who I Am
I’m Heiana Ralaimihoatra, currently a Year 13 student at Sacred Heart Girls’ College in Hamilton. I’m preparing to study Architecture and Future Environments at AUT, where I hope to grow as a designer — creatively, technically, and socially.
Design has always been part of my world. I was raised by a designer — my mother — who showed me how homes can hold stories, and how thoughtful spaces can impact people’s lives. From sketching beside her as a child to building cardboard models in school, design has become more than an interest — it’s who I am.
What Shapes Me
My journey is shaped by three worlds — Madagascar, which is not only where I was born but where my roots run deep; France, whose design traditions inspire me; and Aotearoa, the place that raised me and where my creativity found its voice.
Each place brings a different rhythm, material, and way of living. Together, they’ve shaped the way I see architecture: as something layered, personal, and alive.
My passion lies in creating residential spaces that feel human: warm, grounded, and alive with purpose. I’m especially interested in how architecture can support wellbeing and reflect cultural identity.
Where I’m Going
Looking ahead, I aim to gain experience both in New Zealand and internationally — learning from diverse environments and people. One day, I dream of returning to collaborate with my mother to create a studio of our own: a place where legacy meets innovation, and design always begins with heart.
“She frequently uses her initiative to investigate varying requirements of a brief, to ensure she has explored a multitude of avenues of possibility — leaving no stone unturned.”
— Mrs. Megan Eshuis, Design & Visual Communication Teacher | Sacred Heart Girls’ College, Hamilton, New Zealand
