Nala Studio Architects

14/02/2026

There is something uniquely special about the Whakatane coastline, the way the light hits the dunes and the constant, rhythmic energy of the surf. When Tanja and Brett approached us to design their retirement home, they had a beautiful, singular goal: they wanted to feel like they were on holiday every single day.

We are so incredibly proud to see this project, and the story of how it came to life, featured in the latest issue of Habitat magazine.

Our lead architect, Noor Keary, took the nostalgia of the classic Kiwi bach and reimagined it as a modern, permanent sanctuary. The design wasn't just about looking at the view; it was about belonging to it. By pulling the soft greens of the ocean and the warm, sandy tones of the dunes into the heart of the home, we created a space that feels calm, grounded, and deeply connected to the Bay of Plenty landscape.

Building in recent years hasn't been without its Covid related hurdles, and this project was no exception. Navigating shifting costs and logistics required a lot of trust and creative problem-solving, but we were determined to ensure that the "holiday feel" and the architectural integrity remained untouched. The result is a low-maintenance retreat that lets our clients focus on what matters most—enjoying the view.

A huge thank you to the team at Habitat for such a thoughtful feature. You can find the full story and a gallery of the home on our website now!

Read the article om Habitat here: https://www.habitatbyresene.co.nz/beauty-on-the-inside-inspired-by-the-outside

20/10/2025

This villa renovation in Ponsonby is a complete transformation of a tired villa into a light-filled modern family home that celebrates its heritage character.

At the street frontage, we reinstated the villa’s original charm with fretwork, a bay window and porch, while a contemporary rear extension opens the home to its north-facing garden. The design includes four bedrooms, flexible living spaces, a large deck for seamless indoor–outdoor living, full-height glazing to maximise light, and sustainable Abodo timber cladding.

From the street it appears as a beautifully restored villa, but inside it unfolds into a warm, modern retreat designed for family life and entertaining.

See the full project on our website: https://www.nala.co.nz/projects/ponsonby-heritage-villa-and-bungalow-architects/

26/03/2025

✨ Project Spotlight: Sunlit Revival – Okura, Auckland ✨

Tucked away in the stunning coastal suburb of Okura on Auckland’s North Shore, our latest renovation breathes fresh life into a much-loved family bungalow.

‘Sunlit Revival’ is a thoughtful reimagining of a two-storey home—designed to embrace natural light, create effortless indoor-outdoor flow, and frame those incredible sea views. We've blended timeless charm with contemporary functionality, crafting a warm, light-filled haven that evolves beautifully with a growing family.

This renovation is all about balance: heritage meets modernity, connection meets comfort, and every space feels both intentional and inviting.

Take a closer look at how we design homes that reflect life, light, and landscape:

🔗 nala.co.nz/projects/okura-auckland-renovation-architects

04/02/2025

🏡✨ A Modern Farmhouse with Award-Winning Design ✨🏆

We’re proud to share one of our latest projects—a stunning modern farmhouse in Coatesville that blends rustic charm with contemporary elegance. Designed to embrace its beautiful native bush surroundings, this home features sloped rafter ceilings, vertical timber battens, and a striking folded metal roof. An open-plan layout seamlessly connects to the outdoors, creating a space that feels both inviting and expansive.

We’re thrilled that this project has been recognised with the Masterbuild New Zealand 2024 Gold Award and named the Regional Category Winner for Auckland, Northland, and Coromandel! 🎉

A peaceful retreat just beyond Auckland, designed for both relaxation and entertaining. 🌿🏡

📍 Discover more of our work at www.nala.co.nz

20/12/2024

Step into serenity with Nala Studio Architects' latest interior design masterpiece – a stunning beachfront retreat that effortlessly blends modern sophistication with natural coastal charm.
Picture light-filled spaces framed by floor-to-ceiling windows, warm timber finishes that echo the shoreline, and an open-plan layout designed for seamless flow between indoor and outdoor living.
Every detail, from the bespoke cabinetry to the calming neutral palette, has been crafted to create a home that feels as luxurious as it does inviting. Discover how Nala Studio Architects can transform your dream beach house into a reality.

Click below to see more
https://www.nala.co.nz/projects/residential-whakatane-architects-nala-studios/

08/12/2024

Great builders, fantastic clients, super finish. 😍

A decade after its first spruce up, this stylish Mount Eden renovation has transformed this bungalow into an open-plan oasis

08/07/2024

We are really proud to feature in the latest edition of Your Home & Garden.

Awesome job from Neo Build Ltd. & Next Level Joinery Ltd

Read the full article below
https://www.nala.co.nz/media/o3ohpnoj/yh0564_hse_theresa-ian-11pgs-your-home-and-garden.pdf

23/05/2024

The allure of Queenstown is its alpine landscape, so many of our projects there involve steep, hillside sections. For this family home plus holiday rental, we made the most of the layout and position of the site, with stunning views over the lake.
Our clients specifically requested a family home plus an Airbnb rental unit, so it was important to us to design a property with the right balance of privacy and unity.

Beautiful vertical timber cladding along with rendered schist on the exterior provide a look and feel that blends nicely into the natural landscape. We carried these elements into the interior, with timber on the ceiling in the living areas, and sections of schist on some of the walls.

The home is nestled into the hillside, with an overhanging canopy roof that shelters the expansive deck along the entire front of the house and unit.

The owners will love their new family home and have no trouble renting out the rental unit.

Click below for more information
https://www.nala.co.nz/projects/family-home-plus-holiday-rental/

29/04/2024

Early teaser look at our latest completed project in Whakatane. Bring back summer so we can lounge on that deck.

Fantastic job from Amon Perry Builders Ltd

For more information on Nala Studio Architects projects, please click the link below.
www.nala.co.nz

09/04/2024

We’ve been referring to this project as the Queenstown 2-in-1 home. But it’s actually a pair of homes that are large enough for two families to use separately.
One will be occupied by our client and the second one will either be used when friends and family come to visit, or it can be used as a short-term rental property.

To ensure that both homes have privacy and unobstructed views, we staggered the homes and created mirror image floor plans. House one has its living, entertaining and dining areas upstairs, making the most of the views from those rooms and deck on the top level.

House two has its bedrooms and bathrooms upstairs, with the living spaces downstairs. This works really well with the covered courtyard and barbecue/fireplace area on the lower level.
The result is the perfect combination of two spacious houses on Queenstown Hill overlooking the lake.

For more information, please click the link below
https://www.nala.co.nz/projects/extended-family-home/

05/10/2023

Remember lockdown living? Those months when we were trying to work, study, relax and have quality time with family. For this family of four in Mount Eden, Auckland, it was the time they realised they needed a bit more space.

Unable to find a new house that ticked all the boxes in the neighbourhood they love, they decided to create their dream home by renovating.

Their brief was to not just increase the size of the home – they wanted their own little oasis in the city, where they could escape the busyness of life.

We reconfigured the layout of the home and expanded it, adding an ensuite bathroom and walk-through wardrobe to the primary bedroom, a fourth bedroom, scullery, sauna, deck and pool. We also added more storage, moved the laundry and made it more functional, and modernised the kitchen – all while preserving the special character of this Mount Eden bungalow.

We managed all the interactions with Council – converting a closed-in porch to the ensuite, rebuilding some of the subfloor structure, and reconfiguring an external stone wall.
Our clients are thrilled to have a beautiful home with a lot of space to entertain, hang out with the kids, and work from home when needed.

For more information, click the link below
https://www.nala.co.nz/projects/mount-eden-bungalow-renovation/

Build Partner: Neo Build Ltd.

22/08/2023

We’re excited about what we’ve accomplished for our client with this modest Queenstown home. Working on the hill overlooking Lake Wakatipu, we knew the incredible views would be the focus of our design.

With a brief to create a modern version of the traditional ski chalet, we’ve developed a two-storey, three-bedroom home that cascades down the hill to make the most of the steep site.

The lower level consists of two bedrooms, each with its own separate deck accessed by sliding doors. On the upper level, we have the master bedroom with its own private deck and the north/northeast facing kitchen, dining and living rooms.

A spacious corner deck with an outdoor fireplace creates a cosy outdoor area for relaxing or entertaining all year round, sheltered from the wind. It’s the perfect modern cabin for a couple with visiting guests or a family with one or two children.

https://www.nala.co.nz/projects/remarkables-view-cabane/