News.

Te Tangi a te Manu has been honoured with the RMLA Publication Award for its “significant contribution to enhancing landscape assessment methods within the resource management processes in Aotearoa New Zealand.” Gavin Lister, Alan Titchener and Rachel de Lambert authored this publication in response to a well-acknowledged need for a universally accepted and consistent methodology, as recommended by the Courts.

Published by Tuia Pito Ora New Zealand Institute of Landscape Architects, Te Tangi a te Manu has garnered recognition as a taonga. Its layout and visual communication are meticulously crafted to not only make the content easily accessible but also to emphasise the preciousness of the diverse landscapes in Aotearoa.

Read more

We’re thrilled to share that Te Wānanga has received both the Best of Show and an Honor Award at the SEGD Global Design Awards.

Nestled in Auckland’s Ferry Basin, Te Wānanga is a project dedicated to the wellbeing of the harbour. Its design pays homage to the sea, drawing attention to the importance of water. This innovating project directs stormwater for filtration before reaching the harbour, and creates habitats for filtering mussels and kelp, building upon the legacy of mana whenua and ocean advocacy groups working in this space, forging a living connection between land and sea.

During the design process, mana whenua introduced the principles of manaakitanga (generosity), mīharo (extraordinary), and a journey from Auckland to Tāmaki Makaurau. Te Wānanga has been praised for embodying these principles through collaborative design process, arts integration, and environmental initiatives. The result is a constructed porous tidal shelf, at the interface of city and harbour, creating space for human and coastal ecologies.

One juror wrote of the work, “This installation beautifully melds history, indigenous culture, and modern cityscape and reconnects with nature into an artful narrative that improves the everyday life of all community members.”

Isthmus Chief Executive Ralph Johns has stepped aside after a decade at the helm. As Isthmus’ first design-led, internally-appointed CEO, Ralph has seen the studio grow from a team of 35 to an integrated studio of more than 100 architects, urban designers and landscape architects with studios in Tāmaki Makaurau, Te Whanganui-a-Tara and Ōtautahi.

Ralph is taking a break to focus on wellbeing and whānau before returning to the studio later in the year back in a design leadership role. Isthmus Principal Brad Coombs has been appointed as interim Chief Executive while the Board recruits a new CEO.

Ralph says: “Now is the time for new leadership to navigate us through the next stages of our journey. The future will bring new challenges, but wherever there is challenge, there is opportunity. Isthmus will go from strength to strength over the next few years; we have an amazing depth of talent in our team.”

Isthmus Board Chair Christine Spring says: “The Board and I are hugely grateful to Ralph for his vision and leadership over the last decade. These have been years of huge growth, not just in the size of the business but in the strengthening of our values, the maturing of our culture and the deepening of our kaupapa.

“Ralph has demonstrated a huge personal commitment to the company, and I admire his determination to make sure he and Isthmus keep evolving and growing as he steps out of the key leadership role. We look forward to welcoming Ralph back to Isthmus in a supporting role after a well-earned break. We will announce his successor in coming months following a recruitment process.”

Graduate to Intermediate  

Over the last year or so, Cass has gained the trust and respect of her peers and clients, becoming a reliable and sought-after team member with proactive communication and technical skills. Cass manages her time efficiently and effectively—this allows her to handle multiple projects while also dedicating time to studio culture and chair the Wellington branch of the NZILA. Dedicated and ambitious, she is already making great progress towards becoming a registered landscape architect. The future holds great promise for Cass.  

Since joining us two years ago Naomi has been on an Isthmus adventure with an unknown destination. She has grown into her role by focusing on a wide range of projects within and beyond her illustration wheelhouse. Constantly curious, Naomi has grown from being a 2D designer to one that now thinks fully in three dimensions.  Gently challenging, Naomi is able to elevate a project to something truly beautiful, simple and unique.  

Rhianna is willing to give anything a go! She is a lively and enthusiastic member of the Tāmaki studio and has rapidly gained confidence and experience as a graduate architect. She’s become a key team member on Jimmy’s Point, Evans Bay, and Hospital Road Apartments — three of the studio’s most complex Architectural projects. It’s been great to see her grow her critical thinking on detailed design and delivery, including liaising with clients and consultants.  

Josh is passionate about digital design innovation, dynamic parametric modelling and generative design workflows. He has been busy championing these ideas, showing leadership and development and extending his networks. His advanced digital skills and drive to do things more efficiently and effectively have seen him working on multiple projects across the studio. In a short space of time Josh has become a vital team member on some of our most interesting and complex projects. 

Since Dana joined Isthmus a year ago, she has consistently demonstrated her creative skills and dedication. With a curious mind and a good understanding of the built environment, she enjoys the overlap between Urban Design and Architecture. Always thoughtful, Dana is proactive in anticipating project needs and has developed positive relationships with colleagues, consultants, and clients. Dana has quickly found her feet at Isthmus, becoming a trusted pair of hands and a valuable team player.   

Since joining Isthmus in late 2021, Marie has consistently impressed us with her positive attitude, remarkable multitasking and unwavering commitment to our studio.  She has embraced every task thrown her way, demonstrating her exceptional organisational skills and adaptability.  Marie’s communication skills shone through as she started capturing our studio hui, ensuring that important information was communicated the Isthmus way.  This has quickly progressed to her being promoted from Studio Concierge to Marketing and Communications Coordinator.   

Intermediate to Senior

We all know Salva as a passionate and brave member of our studio. Over the past year she has demonstrated growing leadership skills both inside and outside of Isthmus. Salva has gained the trust and respect of colleagues, external consultants and contractors with her clear communication and diligent mahi. She continues to set goals and achieve results to a high standard. Salva has a strong and clear vision for her career path, with the final steps towards becoming a Registered NZ Architect planned for 2024.  

Senior to Associate 

Frank has been practicing as a landscape architect for over 14 years now. In the 5 years he has been with us, he has shown excellent growth and dedication to our kaupapa. Frank has excellent people skills and makes space to support individual growth team building. Frank understands how to manage and lead high-quality projects outcomes. He approaches client and collaborator relationships in an earnest and open manner and is held in high regard by collaborators and clients. Frank can be guaranteed to bring energy into the room.  

Zach has been with Isthmus for almost 5 years in which time he has honed an impressive set of technical skills. His work sets the bar for high-quality landscape documentation. Zach thrives in complex and technically challenging projects, recently delivering Maungawhau Stage 2 and Awataha Greenway. He proudly represented Isthmus during the January flooding, presenting Awataha flood mitigation to Auckland Council and Recreation NZ. Zach lives the Isthmus tukanga, dives deep into things he can and shows a continual desire to grow and learn, as show through his selection for this year’s Emerging Leaders Programme. 

Rose joined Isthmus 5 years ago and has continued to grow in her role as an adaptable and highly valued design planning specialist. From district wide policy to private development, aquaculture to future intensification studies, Rose shows a continuing passion and curiosity for her craft. She brings a deep understanding of landscape values and integrated design to the RMA process. Her collaborative way of working, ability to tackle complexity, and tenacity in any task is much appreciated. This shines through in her support of the Design Planning champion network, contribution to project teams, and skill sharing across the studio.  

The work to rejuvenate a greenway in Northcote, Auckland, has been recognised at this year’s Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) NZ 2023 Asset Management Excellence Awards, with the project team taking home three awards. 

Te Ara Awataha project was awarded the Excellence in Water, Best Infrastructure Project over $5 million, and Asset Management Excellence Supreme Award at the event in Rotorua, which was attended by representatives from Kāinga Ora and its civil works alliance, Piritahi. 

Te Ara Awataha project, undertaken as part of the Kāinga Ora Northcote Large-Scale Project, embodies the spirit of collaboration with input from mana whenua, Auckland Council Healthy Waters, Eke Panuku Development Auckland, local businesses, community groups, schools, residents and volunteers. 

Te Ara Awataha is the name gifted by Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki to a 1.5km blue-green corridor linking existing parks, the town centre, schools and homes in Northcote. Described as ‘the backbone of the community’, the greenway connects people not just with their destination, but with nature. 

The Awataha stream, piped underground for over 70 years, is now a place where wildlife can flourish, children can play and learn, and the community can connect. More than that, it is now also an integral part of Northcote’s stormwater network, a key feature which proved to be invaluable during the Auckland Anniversary floods.

Read more on Te Ara Awataha

Designed by Isthmus for Isthmus. An authentic and honest use of materials leaves room for people and projects to energise the space. The design team followed a philosophy of doing just enough—creating a minimum viable product—that can be developed further as new opportunities arise and the studio evolves.  

A pathway runs along the length of the space delineating between enclosed programmed areas and flexible open space. Large curtains allow us to change the space, soften its edges, and adapt it to our needs with a touch of theatrical flair.  

This is a space to grow and deepen partnerships. Visitors arrive into the space onto an abstracted whāriki—a woven mat, found in traditional Māori meeting places. The wall sized typography traverses the central laneway of the office, across doorways and behind stacked bikes. ‘Isthmus’ is integrated with the architecture and woven through the activities the space affords.