Who are First Light Studio?

First Light Studio is an award-winning sustainable architecture and interiors practice based in Wellington, New Zealand. Founded by architects with a shared passion for high-performance, environmentally responsible design, the studio has won multiple NZIA National Architecture Awards and operates nationwide across New Zealand.

What does First Light Studio specialise in?

First Light Studio specialises in sustainable residential architecture, passive house (Passivhaus) design, high-performance housing, home renovations, interior design, multi-unit townhouse and apartment developments, and master planning. They are certified Homestar designers and certifiers.

Where is First Light Studio based and where do they work?

First Light Studio is based at Level 1, 1 Ghuznee Street, Wellington, New Zealand. They operate a nationwide practice and have delivered projects in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Taupo, New Plymouth, Palmerston North, the Hutt Valley, Kāpiti, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown, and Dunedin, as well as internationally.

Is First Light Studio a registered architecture practice in New Zealand?

Yes. First Light Studio is a registered practice with the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) and its architects are registered with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB). The studio is also a Bronze Member of the Passive House Institute of New Zealand and a Superhome Movement supporter.

What awards has First Light Studio won?

First Light Studio has won multiple NZIA National and Local Architecture Awards (2017–2024), Master Builders House of the Year awards including National Category Winner and Top 100 placements, the 2023 Master Builders Commercial Property Awards Gold for Heritage and Restoration, and placed 3rd overall at the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Decathlon with the Meridian First Light House.

What is a passive house and does First Light Studio design them?

A passive house (Passivhaus) is a rigorous international building standard that results in ultra-low energy buildings which require little energy for heating or cooling. First Light Studio are experts in Passivhaus principles and design, and are certified Homestar designers and certifiers. They work in partnership with eHaus, New Zealand's largest builder of passive homes.

How do I start a project with First Light Studio?

You can contact First Light Studio by phone at (04) 385-3789, by email at info@firstlightstudio.co.nz, or via the enquiry form at firstlightstudio.co.nz/contact. The studio offers a complete end-to-end architectural service from initial briefing through design, consents, contractor procurement, and site observation.

Does First Light Studio do home renovations?

Yes. First Light Studio has extensive experience in residential renovations and alterations across New Zealand, from modest upgrades to significant whole-home transformations. Their design approach treats each renovation as a unique project tailored to the site and the client's lifestyle.

Can First Light Studio design a bach or holiday home?

Yes. First Light Studio has designed numerous holiday homes and baches throughout New Zealand, including the award-winning Te Horo Beach House on the Kāpiti Coast, Pukatea Beach House, and the Karitane Crib in Otago. They bring the same commitment to sustainability and site-responsive design to all project types.

What is Homestar and is First Light Studio certified?

Homestar is New Zealand's national rating tool for the health, warmth, and efficiency of homes. First Light Studio are certified Homestar designers and certifiers, meaning they can design, assess, and certify homes to achieve a Homestar rating — giving clients independent verification of their home's performance.

Jacks Point Little Houses

NEW HOMES

28 Apr

Written By First Light Studio

In terms of both its landscape and its architecture, the Wakatipu basin has been shaped by its history as a pioneer farming settlement. With the dramatic Remarkables mountain range as backdrop, Jack’s Point enjoys one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. First Light Studio was approached to develop a new, sustainable Jacks Point community based on a modern interpretation of the Central Otago rural vernacular.

Built: 2021
Engineer: Holmes Consulting
Builder: Cammell Projects
Images: Mickey Ross
Working in collaboration with Fearon Hay Architects we created a flexible building typology that creates continuity within the neighbourhood whilst allowing individuality on a site by site basis. Inspired by the High Country tin shed, the concept for the community grows from two flexible floor plan options that can be applied to each site in the neighbourhood. The simple shed forms accommodate ground floor laundry, bathrooms and bedroom/s and a double height, open plan living, kitchen and dining space. The elegant, off-set roof gables embrace mezzanine floors which provide additional living and sleeping space.
Throughout the design process great care has been taken to create a high-quality built environment that has a unique sense of place, in keeping with the existing topography of the land, the surrounding environment and the existing neighbourhood in this very special part of the world.
Each house is sited to maximise natural lighting, and to take advantage of passive heating and cooling. A highly insulated thermal envelope maintains a comfortable and healthy internal environment all year round. Timber framed windows recess into the building envelope to add depth to the elevations; their locations create unique view shafts to the landscape beyond. A limited palette of materials, colours and external finishes have been selected for their durability, honesty and integrity.
A new and innovative prefabricated construction system has been developed for this project that allows quick and efficient on-site assembly.The building is made almost entirely of Cross Laminated Timber, or CLT, a material new to New Zealand but used extensively in Europe and the UK. Solid timber wall panels are built in a controlled factory environment in Nelson, then delivered to site where they are assembled and finished in a matter of days. CLT forms the major building structure as well as the internal finish.