News

Inspiring ideas and achievements worth sharing. Enjoy a selection of what we’re currently creating, celebrating and contemplating.

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 build
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,
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 Engineer
Jacks Point Rise The built form draws its inspiration from the natural landforms and the historical process of shifting rock forms that created the Remarkable Mountain range that provides the backdrop to Jacks Point. A simple gable form is shifted a

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First Light Studio's News section features our latest completed homes, renovations, multi-unit projects, awards, and architectural thinking - from high performance homes on the Kāpiti Coast to affordable housing in Porirua.

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Ask An Architect 04: What Does an Architect Actually Do?
ASK AN ARCHITECT
Ask An Architect 04: What Does an Architect Actually Do?
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ASK AN ARCHITECT
First Light, 15 Years On
ARTICLES
First Light, 15 Years On
ARTICLES
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ARTICLES
Ask an Architect 03: Thinking about engaging an Architect? Six common misconceptions. 
ASK AN ARCHITECT
Ask an Architect 03: Thinking about engaging an Architect? Six common misconceptions. 
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Lake Tūtere
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Lake Tūtere
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Beach Rd Community Housing
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Beach Rd Community Housing
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Luwte: Construction Continues
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Luwte: Construction Continues
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Tuki Townhouses: Te Āhuru Mōwai
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Tuki Townhouses: Te Āhuru Mōwai
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Fourfold
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Fourfold
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Tamahere Arts Centre: Completed for Crafts
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Tamahere Arts Centre: Completed for Crafts
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Redefining Retirement Living in North Auckland
UNBUILT
Redefining Retirement Living in North Auckland
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UNBUILT
Our Whare Our Fale: Winning Hearts and Awards!
AWARDS
Our Whare Our Fale: Winning Hearts and Awards!
AWARDS
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AWARDS
Award Winning! Rongopai Renovation blends heritage & contemporary design
AWARDS
Award Winning! Rongopai Renovation blends heritage & contemporary design
AWARDS
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AWARDS
Our Whare Our Fale: Stage One Complete
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Our Whare Our Fale: Stage One Complete
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
L-evated: Lofted and Luminous
RECENTLY COMPLETED
L-evated: Lofted and Luminous
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Peka Peka Beach House: Protected and Panoramic
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Peka Peka Beach House: Protected and Panoramic
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Falcons Rest: Framing the Foothills
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Falcons Rest: Framing the Foothills
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Rongopai Reno: Reimagining and Restoring
RECENTLY COMPLETED
Rongopai Reno: Reimagining and Restoring
RECENTLY COMPLETED
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RECENTLY COMPLETED
Ask an Architect 02: Aotearoa’s Architectural Aspirations?
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Ask an Architect 02: Aotearoa’s Architectural Aspirations?
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Luwte
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Luwte
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
South Wairarapa Home
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
South Wairarapa Home
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Shortlisted! 2026 NZIA Local Architecture Awards
AWARDS
Shortlisted! 2026 NZIA Local Architecture Awards
AWARDS
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AWARDS
Ask an Architect 01: Indoor-Outdoor Flow in a Wild and Windy City?
ASK AN ARCHITECT
Ask an Architect 01: Indoor-Outdoor Flow in a Wild and Windy City?
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ASK AN ARCHITECT
Beach Road Townhouses
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Beach Road Townhouses
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
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ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Te Wharepōuri Renovation
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Te Wharepōuri Renovation
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Te Āhuru Mōwai Townhouses
ON THE DRAWING BOARD, UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Te Āhuru Mōwai Townhouses
ON THE DRAWING BOARD, UNDER CONSTRUCTION
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ON THE DRAWING BOARD, UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The Plucky Treehouse
UNBUILT
The Plucky Treehouse
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UNBUILT
The Kākā’s Nest
UNBUILT
The Kākā’s Nest
UNBUILT
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UNBUILT
Ōtepoti Renovation
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Ōtepoti Renovation
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
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ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Ethiopian Orthodox Church
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Ethiopian Orthodox Church
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
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ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Kōhatu Retreat
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
Kōhatu Retreat
ON THE DRAWING BOARD
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ON THE DRAWING BOARD