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First Light Studio Ltd

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First Light Studio Ltd

First Light Studio are architects who believe in the power of design to create a better living future for more people. We believe in great living.

We believe in its enduring power to enhance our wellbeing, and its ability to work with nature, not against it. But for too long great living has been defined by the wrong thinking, resulting in buildings that are unhealthy, expensive and unsustainable. We are speaking up for a fresh direction. Our purpose is to redesign our living future. To create living environments that flex with the rhythms of life and grow beautifully together with their natural surroundings. Brilliantly designed spaces that enhance life and our connection to our land and each other, for generations to come. At First Light we combine internationally award-winning design with leading-edge eco technology and a love of working closely with people passionate about truly sustainable living. Based in Wellington, but serving commercial and residential clients throughout New Zealand, we are architects who believe in the power of design to create a better living future for more people. For more information visit www.firstlightstudio.co.nz

10/11/2026

Our Whare Our Fale

It was a privilege to be part of the team behind this project, and we're thrilled to see it recognised with a New Zealand Architecture Award in the Multi-Unit category at the National Architecture Awards.

The brief for this project was to deliver 18 affordable, intergenerational homes that embody Pasefika identity, nurture wellbeing and restore dignity through community-led housing, challenging conventional housing models by centering cultural narratives as the foundation of place. First Light Studio worked alongside to translate this vision into an affordable, buildable and high-performing architectural outcome, providing technical and environmental sustainability expertise throughout the design process. The homes were delivered through local Pasefika builders, creating employment opportunities across the region, with high-quality construction led by South Coast Construction.

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08/11/2026

Our Fale Our Whare

We’re proud to have played a part in this award winning project, recognised as the winner of the Multi Unit category at the National Architecture Awards, last week.

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Material and construction decisions were driven by cost discipline and performance. Homes are timber framed with high insulation values, insulated slabs, continuous mechanical ventilation and low-emissive glazing, achieving Homestar 6. The large roof forms reference traditional Pacific fale while accommodating stacked density and providing privacy to upper-level bedrooms. Ground floor living spaces are intentionally flexible to support formal and informal gathering, intergenerational living and wider family events such as funerals and devotions.

06/11/2026

We are so delighted to share that Our Whare Our Fale has received a New Zealand Architecture Award in the Housing, Multi-Unit category!

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'Our Whare Our Fale' is the vision of reimagining the Pacific village in Aotearoa, transforming the life outcomes of the Pasefika community in Wellington through design that is by Pacific, for Pacific. The cultural force at the heart of the design makes it different to anything seen before. The central malae and common fale, express the principle of anoafale – it is not so much about the house, but the people living in the house and the relationships between them.

Big congratulations to everyone involved in this project. To learn more, check out the project on the First Light Studio and Central Pacific Collective websites. Congratulations to all other winners!

03/11/2026

Karitane Crib

The brief chronicled a day at the crib: a morning coffee, lots of reading in the sun and then dinner at sunset, perhaps with fish caught that day. Their space needed to encourage visitors: couches and window seats that double as beds, and acoustics that will stand up to the grandkids’ sleeping schedules.

Karitane,
Dunedin

Built by Copland Building Ltd
Photographs by:

01/11/2026

Tamahere Arts and Crafts Centre

The Tamahere Arts Centre is a purpose-built creative space located within the Tamahere Country Club retirement village in the Waikato, developed by the Sanderson Group. Positioned prominently on Tamahere Drive, the building forms an important public-facing element of the village while transforming the memory of seven mature oak trees that once occupied the site into its defining architectural structure.

Year Built: 2025
Location: Tamahere, Waikato
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30/10/2026

We're using our experience in navigating Wellington's steep hillsides to pioneer innovative design in Wānaka. This residence, perched on a sharply inclined site, is under construction with

27/10/2026

L-evated

Nicknamed L-evated, this house navigates a wedge-shaped, sloping site while responding to strong winds and close neighbors with varied sightlines. Thoughtfully designed, it balances privacy and openness, creating sheltered spaces that embrace both outlook and abundant natural light. Entertaining was also a key consideration, with generous indoor and outdoor areas designed for gathering and connection.

Built: 2025
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Engineering: CERTA Engineering
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25/10/2026

Bach on the Bay

Laid out in traditional First light Style, the ‘Cottage’ and the ‘Tower’ come together around a central outdoor living space which flows downward to a small jetty at the front of the cottage. Much of the building materials were salvaged and recycled to keep costs down, including some of the windows. This project had a stellar Grand Designs NZ episode to tell the construction story of this iconic bach.

Built: 2016
Photography: Ant Green

23/10/2026

Tamahere Arts and Crafts Centre

The centre replaced a small, poorly ventilated art space tucked inside the original Tamahere village clubhouse. In its place is a generous, light-filled studio built specifically for creative work and community life, with room to host workshops for up to twenty people.

The space doubles as a small gallery and social hub, used for exhibitions, opening nights, and informal gatherings as much as for day-to-day classes.

Year Built: 2025
Location: Tamahere, Waikato
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20/10/2026

The Perch

The deck of 'The Perch' has a gentle threshold that marks the shift from work to rest, and a sheltered corner to catch the last of the southwest sun while protected from the strong north valley winds.

Built: 2022
Engineer: Essen Engineering Ltd.
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Address

1/1 Ghuznee Street, Te Aro
Wellington
6011

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 5pm
Tuesday	8am - 5pm
Wednesday	8am - 5pm
Thursday	8am - 5pm
Friday	8am - 5pm

Website

http://www.firstlightstudio.co.nz/

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