Respond Architects

01/09/2026

A major remediation project at Somerville Intermediate School in Auckland was successfully delivered while around 980 students and 120 staff remained on site.

Respond led the remediation design, working closely with Rubix, Form Building & Developments, Kingstons, the Ministry of Education NZ and the school.

Careful staging, complex hoardings, early investigation and a commitment to overcoming challenges collaboratively led to the completion of the project three weeks ahead of programme and under budget - a credit to the entire project team.

Take a closer look at how the project came together in our latest case study: https://respondarchitects.co.nz/our_work/somerville-intermediate-school-remediation

Images courtesy of Form Building & Developments.

06/08/2026

The Building Amendment Bill 2026 has prompted plenty of discussion around proportional liability, but another proposed change could have a practical impact for homeowners looking to install solar. The Bill aims to streamline building consent processing for residential new builds incorporating solar power and other sustainability features, reducing processing time from 20 days to 10 days for qualifying projects.

Respond Architects Director Erin Hallett welcomes the intent, but questions whether councils have the capacity to deliver. "I really hope they do reduce processing times, but the reality is, will councils be able to? They're already struggling to process consents within the current timeframes."

It’s a positive step in principle, but whether it translates into faster approvals remains to be seen.

Public submissions on the Building Amendment Bill are open until November 15, 2026.

https://www3.parliament.nz/en/pb/sc/make-a-submission/document/54SCTIN_SCF_AE8D569D-871D-4D61-C816-08DED59A19E9/building-amendment-bill

29/07/2026

Installation of the Ultratherm Xtreme FiberTite membrane roof system by RoofLogic Ltd is now underway at Botany Downs Secondary College - International – part of the final stage of a nine-stage redevelopment. The warm roof membrane sheets are welded together with automatic hot-air machine welding, creating a continuous, watertight seal for long-term durability and performance.

Thanks to Andrea Boon for capturing the installation in progress on site – it’s great to get a look behind the scenes as this major education project approaches completion.

20/07/2026

What started as a weathertightness remediation project became an opportunity to create something much more.

The transformation of Takapuna Grammar School's George Tindall Performing Arts Centre has delivered a modern, flexible home for dance, drama and music, while reflecting the character of the wider campus. By rethinking the layout an resolving complex structural building issues along the way, the project has created spaces that will support students and staff for years to come.

Take a closer look at the project here: https://respondarchitects.co.nz/our_work/takapuna-grammar-school-performing-arts-centre

Project team: Prendos New Zealand Limited, Frequency, Kingstons, Accent Construction Ltd, Ministry of Education NZ

08/07/2026

Great news for our Somerville Intermediate School remediation project, which has been named a finalist in the Building People Awards 2026, in the Collaboration - Under $20m category.

Respond Architects played a key role in the remediation design, documentation and construction monitoring for this complex, multi-stage upgrade of the school’s main teaching block.

Completed three weeks early and under budget, delivered in a fully live school environment, the project is a credit to the teamwork and shared focus of everyone involved, including Ministry of Education NZ, Form Building & Developments, Rubix and Kingstons.

08/06/2026

Designed by Respond Architects and built by Ferguson Builders Ltd, 24A & 24B Angelo Drive have been thoughtfully composed in response to their elevated Queenstown setting, with breathtaking views across Lake Whakatipu and The Remarkables.

Organised across four levels, the homes use floor-to-ceiling glazing, projecting window nooks, frameless glass balustrades and a carefully considered material palette to maximise natural light and create a strong connection to the landscape. Every opportunity has been taken to frame views and provide a different perspective from every viewpoint.

Now on the market:

Where Design, Luxury, and Landscape Align

07/04/2026

Following the recent Building Science Summit, our Architectural Graduate Ju An Teo was invited to contribute a summary for the NZIA Future Fabric newsletter.

The overall message - delivered by experts from around the globe - was clear: high-performance buildings work best when all elements work together.

This integrated approach to building performance has long underpinned how we design. It’s not about individual products or systems, but how the entire building envelope performs as one.

Ju An’s full summary unpacks all the key insights from the summit - well worth a read:https://mcusercontent.com/3560731166d09cf3a5f258f4c/files/3f16cd3e-9996-a1d8-d261-a2d473e1df80/Report_from_the_Building_Science_Summit_2026.pdf

22/02/2026

One of our high-performance homes in Christchurch has just hit the market.

Designed by Respond Architects, this project is a great example of how we approach residential architecture - starting with climate, orientation and site conditions, and building performance into the fabric of the house, rather than treating it as an upgrade.

From energy-efficient uPVC joinery and heat recovery ventilation, to recycled timber flooring and durable, low-maintenance finishes, every element was selected to enhance comfort, longevity and sustainability. The result is a home that feels calm, warm and quietly refined.

We believe high performance isn’t an add-on. It’s embedded in the design from day one. So if you’re thinking about building, renovating or creating a home that works harder for you - this is the standard we work to.

See more here:
https://respondarchitects.co.nz/our_work/cashmere-house

20/11/2025

We’re excited to share Pūwhenua - the newly redeveloped learning space at Tauranga Girls’ College.

What was once a tired science block is now a modern, flexible and culturally informed learning environment. From open-plan learning zones and inclusive facilities to the poutama-inspired ceilings and custom carpet, every detail was designed to create a welcoming place for students to learn, collaborate and connect.

A huge thank you to the Ministry of Education NZ, the school, iwi and our project partners for the incredible teamwork over this long and rewarding journey. We’re proud to see Pūwhenua open its doors.

Photos by Marc Scowen.
https://www.markscowen.co.nz/

View the full project:
https://respondarchitects.co.nz/our_work/tauranga-girls-college-puwhenua