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We’re thrilled to launch the first in our At Home With series, spotlighting homeowners who have brought Forté products into their own spaces. First up is Sam Dodd, In-House Neuroscientist at functional beverage company, Ārepa.
Sam’s journey in science has taken him from studying Neuroscience at Otago University to completing a Master’s at the Centre for Brain Research under Sir Richard Faull, contributing to the understanding of Alzheimer’s Disease. He later focused on stroke rehabilitation, developing innovative ways to help patients regain motor function and quality of life.
Outside the lab, Sam and his partner Taylor have been busy transforming their first home in Sandringham. The renovation is a true reflection of their personality and lifestyle — creative, thoughtful and practical — and showcases how Forté products can be used to bring a space to life.
We sat down with Sam to hear about his work, his research, and the at times challenging process of turning a house into a home.
What first sparked your fascination with the brain, and how did that evolve into a career?
Whilst studying the sciences at school and university, a lot of the focus was on various organ systems in the body. The brain quickly stood out from the rest for me, as it dictates everything we think and feel and how we interact with the environment around us. My transition from research to my role with Ārepa was a fortuitous introduction via mutual friends.
What drew you to Ārepa, and how has your role evolved since joining the company?
Purely the attitude and ideas of Ārepa's founders Angus Brown and Zac Robinson. They shared my passion for proactive, rather than reactive medicine.
What I enjoy so much about the role is the variety and challenge that it brings. I'm still there to bring neuroscience into the company but work with various team on how to market and communicate science to the consumer. New Product Development and formulation along with the regulatory side of health claims has been another rewarding development within my role.
Your responsibilities span clinical trials, R&D, marketing, legal/regulatory, and procurement. How do you navigate such diverse areas, and what does a typical day look like for you?
Leaning on expertise within our company and our research partners allows me bring my understanding to the table in a streamlined way. I'm lucky enough to work with a variety of people from different backgrounds, who have helped me function in these novel areas.
The thing I love most about working at Ārepa is that each day looks a bit different and brings new challenges. Each day I'm applying our existing science or our new discoveries to a different facet of the company.
Let's talk about home! What was the process of finding it and what drew you to this house in particular?
This is our first home, which has made it all the more exciting and rewarding. My partner Taylor lives with me and we have been fortunate enough to share the space with several of our friends now. Having the ability to provide somewhere for friends, whether it short or long term, is really special.
Transparently, the process was arduous. Attending countless auctions in a highly competitive market was deflating at times but thankfully things worked out really well with a bit of perseverance. She was a very tired old bungalow, on a beautiful north facing site. All the potential in the world but needed a lot of TLC which perhaps was the deterrent for other potential buyers that we needed.
The house underwent quite an extensive renovation. Can you tell us a bit about this process?
We were really fortunate to work with my close friends and the amazing team at the Bunting Brothers. They put me in touch with Billy, the lead architect at Studio Billy, who pulled together some amazing plans. Being our first time, working with such a skilled crowd made the whole process manageable and allowed it to be completed on an impressively quick timeframe.
You've used Forte flooring throughout the living spaces. What about it appealed to you, and how does it fit with the way you want your home to look and feel?
I've always loved the look of natural timber and having already selected a darker wood for the cabinetry, I was looking for something lighter in colour that would tie the light walls and the dark cabinetry together. These beautiful wide boards serve that purpose perfectly and have also lightened the whole space. They have gorgeous detail through them and each board is so distinct and unique.
At Forte we refer a lot to how things like material choice can impact the way we live and connect. I'm interested to know what a neuroscientist's take is on this! Are there certain design considerations that can enhance wellbeing and have you incorporated these into your own home?
There is quite a well-established field of neuroarchitecture these days but I would be lying if I said I had much nous in that area. At the same time, there are very well understood factors of neuroscience and wellbeing that come into play in any space and I definitely made a concerted effort to incorporate these where possible. Maximising light really was the key consideration and we were lucky enough to incorporate a high vaulted ceiling in the living room along with many floor to ceiling windows. This has created a beautiful bright space. Indoor-outdoor flow was another feature we prioritised and having big bifold doors opening straight onto the back lawn has made sure we spend as much time outside as possible. Ontop of this we used blackout curtains and a ducted heating/cooling system to make sure the bedrooms could be optimsed for quality sleep.
Are there any learnings from you renovation project, or any advice you'd give to someone undertaking their own?
There are so many moving parts and so much of it is unfamiliar territory. There are so many passionate people who are experts in their field that you can really lean on. I had countless amazing experiences with people who made all of the nitty gritty decisions far more simple.
Sam's home features Ultra flooring in Tussock Oak. This line has now been incorporated into the Haven Collection — for a similarly warm and natural look, we recommend Haven Copenhagen or Toronto.
Imagery: Scott Hardy
