Araheke—nine new whānau focussed homes for Wellingtonians.  

This morning we attended the blessing of Araheke housing complex—nine new high quality homes, adding to Wellington City Councils social housing offering.

The project team joined Mayor Whanau, councillors, council staff and representatives from Taranaki Whānui and Te Ātiawa in celebrating Araheke and a brighter future for housing in Te Whanganui a tara.

The complex will provide a diverse range of equitable, accessible, and healthy medium density homes, needed to house families in a changing city, says Mayor Whanau.

“Wellington is on the cusp of transformational change and it’s important that we create a city that caters to everyone’s needs. Araheke is a part of that.”

Located on Harrison Street, Araheke is in close proximity to the local community centre, school and playcentre, Brooklyn shops, library and public transport and active transport connections into town. We look forward to seeing the complex come to life as families move in over the next few weeks.

Haere mai ki te kapu tī.

A summer spent with the people we love in the places that ground us has us energised for the year ahead. Last year we grew our whānau across all disciplines and moved into two new studios that nurture our people and process.  

We’d love to see you in our spaces—our whare is your whare—to design and learn with you. We invite you to use our studios as a space to co-host an event that celebrates shared learning, projects , networking, or simply stop by for a coffee or kapu tī.   

Mā te wā! 

Te Tūngoungou (The Chrysalis)

This year we launched our inaugural Emerging Leaders Programme—Te Tūngoungou (The Chrysalis)—designed to add depth in leadership across the studio by growing, supporting and elevating our future leaders.

Eight participants were selected for their alignment to the programme purpose, their leadership ambition and evidence of already developing core leadership competencies. These participants were supported by four mentors, coaching two participants each.

As we hoped, the programme has seen the participants gain confidence, a sense of purpose and find their place within the spectrum of leadership in Isthmus and the industry. The emerging leaders all now understand their strengths, opportunities, and preferences as a leader; apply a growth mindset when faced with challenges; demonstrate openness and vulnerability; foster stronger relationships; and approach leadership conversations with confidence and compassion.

Te Tūngoungou has been captured in a publication that shares leadership stories from participants and mentors. We will share some of their insights over the coming weeks.

Te Atamira a Te Iwi—a vibrant city refuge.

Te Atamira a Te Iwi creates space for people, on the streets of Te Whanganui-a-Tara. In collaboration with Wellington City Council we worked to design, develop, and install vibrant parklets in street parking spaces to encourage community claim back space for people and activity.

Working with constructors we developed a low-cost, easy-to-build system that would be compliant and adaptable to a range of uses. A key outcome of the project for Wellington City Council was to develop a new framework incorporating lessons learned, for businesses to apply for parklets on a more permanent basis. We are very pleased to see next generation parklets now reclaiming the streets for people in central Wellington.

We wanted to create a vibrant inner-city refuge that stood out against the urban backdrop and busy streetscape. It was also important to create an identity for the platforms that would be recognisable as they moved around the city.

We were delighted to have this acknowledged recently, with the project being awarded a Resene Total Colour Award in the Installation category.

 

What the judges said:
“Here today moved tomorrow, this inviting and energetic temporary space stands in contrast to the streetscape. Cleverly designed for adaptability in location, multipurpose use and access, it boldly celebrates repurposing street space for all to enjoy. The strong triangular forms and distinct colouration are delightful and make it a memorable bright spot to seek out in the city.”

Thank you to our partners, clients and collaborators who helped bring this little project with a big impact to life; Wellington City Council, GapFiller, Drew James, Downer.

Promotions.

Promotions – November 2022  

In response to the rapidly increasing cost of living this year we temporarily introduced quarterly salary reviews, and as part of the process we are happy to announce eight promotions: 

 

Graduate to Intermediate  

Finn has been with Isthmus for nearly 2 years as an architectural graduate. In that time has made quite an impact. His enthusiasm and creativity are infectious. Finn sets himself apart through his abilities to communicate articulately and as a creative thinker. Finn is confident to set off on his own path, rather than follow in the footsteps of others.  

  

Intermediate to Senior  

Tessa has featured strongly in many rewarding & complex projects since she joined Isthmus at the end of 2018. Tessa has always been at the top of her craft and has a fantastic understanding around communication of project needs. She can always be trusted to lend technical advice and mentoring to others. She is a proactive designer, and has grown this into the project management space and will confidently challenge the status quo to keep projects aligned with our values.    

Mihali joined the Isthmus whānau in early 2017 at the start of his career. One of his first experiences at was as a core member of the Northern Corridor Alliance, working at the project office delivering amongst a multidisciplinary team. Mihali used this exposure to deliver in further alliances, specialising in bridge infrastructure, and with a true passion and skillset for working with mana whenua and artists in the mahi toi space. Mihali’s mahi across the studio is evident as a positive voice in the Tāmaki studio.   

   

Senior to Associate  

Simon joined Isthmus from England, nearly four years ago, where he had worked in the landscape planning and masterplanning space. He brought strong awareness of planning and consenting processes to our design planning team and quickly settled into Aotearoa. Simon’s energy and enthusiasm has seen him take on additional responsibilities across the studio beyond pure project work. He is also growing his experience in the role of an expert witness.   

Tim joined Isthmus in 2018 after spending several years working in the UK and Australia. Since returning to Te Whanganui-a-Tara, Tim has been applying his skills in design development and documentation to a broad range of projects, including Riverlink and Tahitai, and more recently Lets’ Get Wellington Moving—Streets. Tim is a trusted pair of hands, approachable and delivers what he says he’ll deliver.   

Nigel joined us in June at the beginning of our Agile Hiring Plan. In a short space of time he has become key to a number of our most complex architecture projects. With extensive experience across a number of sectors, including education, community and multi-unit residential, Nigel brings a deep understanding of what it takes to deliver well-crafted, award-winning architecture. Nigel leads empathetically, communicates with clarity and a dry wit, is diligent and accurate in his work and mentors with patience.   

 

Associate to Principal  

Damian has been with us since his mihi whakatau in October 2017, and it is hard to imagine what the studio was like without him. Over the last 5 years and across the motu, we have all benefited from the way that Damian openly shares his knowledge and builds relationships. Whether it is leading a noisy waiata, drumming up enthusiasm in a workshop, or sitting quietly round a table with butter paper, there is no doubt that Damian has added depth and richness to our Land People Culture Kaupapa through lived experience, not just words. Damian has a way with people, and has helped build two of our champion networks—Participatory Design, and He Pātaka Mauri Mana Whenua Partnering. His affiliations with Tuia Pito Ora and Ngā Aho, along with his immersive personal learning journey in Te Reo and tikanga has helped develop stronger connections with Te Ao Māori for himself and Isthmus. This is now spilling over into Design Review, a really broad range of projects across the studio, and an ever expanding network of clients and collaborators.  

Scott has joined Isthmus twice. Once as part of our burgeoning Tāmaki studio in the early days of integrating architecture, and again as part of our return to Te Waipounamu. Each time Scott has added to the energy, fun and positivity of the studio. Scott has helped to grow our network and deliver residential projects like Epuni and Harrison Street as well as being instrumental in supporting the studio with roles on management team, championing digital technology, managing the design and construction of our new Ōtautahi studio and nurturing his whanau group. Ka pai Scott!    

Two transformative spaces awarded at the New Zealand Architecture Awards 2022.

Last Friday we celebrated the architecture of Aotearoa at the 2022 New Zealand Architecture Awards—alongside clients, collaborators, partners and peers. The quality of work was outstanding, and we were thrilled to receive awards for both of our shortlisted projects—Ōmarukaikuru and Te Wānanga.

Thanks to all those involved in making these two transformative public spaces a reality, and thanks to Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects for bringing the industry together to celebrate the design that is shaping our country.

Ōmarukaikuru—what the judges said:

A small-scale intervention that is part of a larger masterplan, this project provides much needed connection to the water’s edge at the city’s fringe, as well as a safe path for pedestrians and cyclists along a tight site. There are a range of spaces for transiting pedestrians and cyclists, as well as places to pause and connect with the coastal environment. Materials and details balance robustness and delicacy and are fit for purpose as they age gracefully in the severe marine environment.

Te Wānanga—what the judges said:

A successful outcome of a complex brief with many stakeholders involved. The result mediates the conversation between the city and its water’s edge, integrating and embedding elements of Māori design in the narrative outcome. The project closes the gap between large-scale urban planning moves and the intricate, small-scale details required for its success. There is joy and delight in the ways the project engages with the water, allowing for the transition of commuters across the site, as well as catering for children at play and the young at heart.