Pacific Environments Architects
About us
Pacific Environments Architects is an environmentally focused architecture practice committed to creating thoughtful, enduring places that deliver the best outcomes for people, place, and community.
With more than 60 years of experience, residential design has always been an important part of our work, from individual homes and alterations to multi-unit developments, community housing and larger masterplanned communities. Alongside our residential expertise, we have developed significant experience in education and retirement living, as well as civic and community facilities, commercial buildings, urban design, and sports and leisure projects.
At the heart of our residential work is an understanding that every client, site and brief is different. Whether designing a new home, transforming an existing property or working on a larger residential development, we take the time to understand how people want to live and how architecture can respond to their needs, aspirations and surroundings. The result is considered, individual design that connects people with place and enhances everyday life.
Our extensive work in education and retirement living reinforces this people-centred approach. In education, we design flexible, inclusive environments that support learning and strengthen school communities. In retirement and later living, we create welcoming environments that balance independence and privacy with opportunities for connection, wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging. Across all three sectors, our focus is on creating places that are enjoyable to live in, adaptable over time and responsive to the communities they serve.
Whatever the scale or complexity of your project, our team brings the specialist expertise needed to guide you through every stage of the process. From pre-purchase feasibility and site selection through briefing, design, documentation, consenting, contract administration and project completion, we provide a clear and cohesive design process. Our aim is to make the journey straightforward, collaborative and enjoyable.
Environmental sustainability and regenerative design are fundamental to our approach. We believe the built environment should contribute positively to the social, economic and ecological systems of which it is a part. Pacific Environments was an early adopter of environmentally sustainable design processes and methodologies and a founding signatory of New Zealand Architects Declare. This commitment continues to shape our work as we seek to create architecture and urban environments that have a positive and enduring impact.
Above all, the Pacific Environments team genuinely loves what we do. Our positive, energetic and hands-on approach, combined with a commitment to understanding every client and their aspirations, means we deliver thoughtful, tailored solutions rather than generic answers.
Our History
Formerly Dodd Paterson + Bukowski Rehm, and then ADP Architects, the practice was originally formed in 1960.
The current practice, Pacific Environments NZ Ltd, was formed in June 2006 through a merger with Peter Eising (previously a founding director of Architects Patterson) and ADP Architects.
Awards
2020
Hawkes Bay Health & Sports Institute - NZ Property Council Award
2016
Sir Owen Glenn National Aquatic Centre - NZ Property Council Award
Waiheke Library - NZ Property Council Award
2015
Waiheke Library - Overall Supreme Winner NZ Wood Resene Timber Awards
- Commercial Architectural Excellence NZ Wood Resene Timber Awards
- Shortlisted Dulux Colour Awards
- Shortlisted NZ Property Council Award
2013
Millennium Institute of Sport and Health - NZ Property Council Award
Papatoetoe Multisport - Most Outstanding Facility NZ Recreation Association Awards
2010
Yellow Treehouse - NZIA National Award
- D&AD Award (UK)
2009
Yellow Treehouse - Gold Best Award
- NZIA Auckland Branch Award
- NZ Institute of Building National Excellence Award
- Finalist World Architecture Awards
- NZ Timber Design Society Award
TriStar Gymnastics - Highly Commended NZIA
2006
Ormiston Road Business Park - Master Builders Awards
2005
West Plaza - NZIA National Award
2004
West Plaza - NZIA Local Branch Award
2003
Awatea Chalets Ohakune - Master Builder Award
2002
Massey Library and Leisure Centre - Ernst and Young Special Purpose Award
- Finalist Energywise Commercial Building Award
- Premier Creative Spaces Award
- Highly Commended EECA
- Finalist NZIA Local Awards
Waitakere Gardens Retirement Village - NZ Property Council Award
2000
Sileni Winery and Estate - NZIA Hawkes Bay Branch Award
1999
Vinotica - Retail Merchants Top Shop
Gulf Harbour Primary School - Finalist NZIA Auckland Branch Award
Mt Albert Grammar School - Finalist NZIA Auckland Branch Award
1995
Papakura Police Station and District Headquarters - AHI Environmental Award and Scholarship
Happy Valley Bistro - NZIA Bay of Plenty Branch Award
1992
Great Lakes Centre Taupo - NZIA Bay of Plenty Branch Award
1988
ASB Stadium (Chase Stadium) - NZIA Auckland Branch Award
- Commended AHI Environmental Design Award
- 10 Best Buildings Award
1986
Auckland Harbour Board Building - NZIA National Award
1984
East Coast Bays Library - NZIA National Award
- Bronze Medal for Excellence RAIA & Australian Library Council
1983
East Coast Bays Library - Highly Commended AHI Environmental Design Award
- NZIA Auckland Branch Award
James Hardie Admin Centre - NZIA Auckland Branch Award
1974
Mitchell Residence - NZIA Auckland Branch Award
Raines Residence - NZIA Auckland Branch Award
Johnson Wax Admin Centre - NZIA Auckland Branch Award
Get in touch
Business details
- Category:
- Architects
- Business focus:
- Residential & Commercial
- Verified ArchiPro member since:
- 2014
- Associations:
- New Zealand Green Building Council