The brief chronicled a day at the crib: a morning coffee, lots of reading in the sun and then dinner at sunset, perhaps with fish caught that day. Their space needed to encourage visitors: couches and window seats that double as beds, and acoustics that will stand up to the grandkids’ sleeping schedules.
Project name
Karitane Crib
Architecture firm
First Light Studio Ltd
Location
Karitane, Otago, New Zealand
Principal architect
Anna Farrow
Design team
Nick Officer, Anna Farrow
Structural engineer
McConaughy Consulting
Construction
Copland Building Ltd
Material
Light timber framing, timber cladding, metal roofing
Typology
Residential › Housing
In 2017, St Hilda’s Anglican Church in Island Bay approached First Light Studio with a brief describing the need for a beautiful, quality, and timeless design for the existing church. This request followed a one-year ultimatum from the council to address the building's earthquake-prone status.
Project name
St Hildas Church Alteration
Architecture firm
First Light Studio
Location
Island Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
Principal architect
Bronwyn Phillipps
Design team
Ben Jagersma, Guy Marriage, Bronwyn Philliipps
Collaborators
AE Tilley (screen), Black Sheep Construction (Builders), Techlam (trusses)
Interior design
First Light Studio
Built area
53 m², 9.5m high
Structural engineer
King & Dawson Architects & Engineers Ltd
Lighting
Fifth Season Design
Construction
Black Sheep Construction
Material
Glulam Trusses With Light Timber Structure, Timber Structure, Perforated Aluminium
Client
St Hildas Anglican Church
Typology
Religious Architecture › Church, Heritage Alteration
First Light Studio: The Whitby Residence is a simple and elegant farmhouse designed for suburban living. It has been carefully crafted to strike a balance between public and private spaces, featuring a central courtyard/deck that serves as a seamless transition between the indoors and outdoors. Its flexible living areas can be adapted to suit vario...
Architecture firm
First Light Studio
Location
Nelson, New Zealand
Photography
David Hensel Photography
Principal architect
Ben Jagersma
Design team
Mitch Holden, Ben Jagersma, Charlotte Fisher
Interior design
First Light Studio
Structural engineer
MY Consulting Engineers
Construction
Light timber frame
Material
Metal sheet cladding, Japanese cedar cladding, poplar ceilings
Typology
Residential › House
Having previously lived in a large country property in Greytown, the clients’ vision was to downsize into a smaller home that was warmer, drier and easier to maintain, while still providing a comfortable and inviting space for extended family to visit. As a home designed for life, the dwelling needed to be energy efficient, low maintenance, wheelch...
Project name
Four Corners
Architecture firm
First Light Studio
Location
Wairarapa, New Zealand
Principal architect
Ben Jagersma
Design team
Ben Jagersma, Luke Bryant
Interior design
First Light Studio
Structural engineer
ESSEN Engineering
Environmental & MEP
eHaus
Construction
Cameron Construction / eHaus Wairarapa
Material
Timber framing, timber and aluminium cladding
Typology
Residential › House
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 along its ridge line to create a bold, sharp, form reminiscent of the jagged mountains beyond.
Project name
Jacks Point Rise
Architecture firm
First Light Studio
Location
Queenstown, New Zealand
Principal architect
Ben Jagersma
Design team
Ben Jagersma, Luke Bryant
Structural engineer
Miyamoto International NZ
Material
Timber structure, timber and schist cladding
Typology
Residential › House
Nestled amidst the picturesque hillsides of Brooklyn, Wellington, "The Twins" stand as a testament to the vision and collaboration of two directors from First Light Studio. This project, aptly named "The Twins," revolves around the concept of duality, it represents an ingenious solution to the challenges posed by the Wellington housing market while...
Architecture firm
First Light Studio
Location
Brooklyn, Wellington, New Zealand
Principal architect
Ben Jagersma
Design team
Ben Jagersma, Nick Officer
Interior design
First Light Studio
Structural engineer
Essen Engineering
Construction
Black Sheep Construction
Material
Timber frame, metal cladding with cedar accents
Typology
Residential › Housing
In the beachside suburb of Miramar, Wellington, lies Darlington, the first completed FLiP 'Wide', an illustration of inter-generational living brought to life in a modest backyard. With life quickly becoming marked by distance and busy schedules, the desire for intergenerational living is stronger than ever.
Architecture firm
FLiP Homes
Location
Wellington, New Zealand
Design team
Eli Nuttall & Brittany Irvine
Collaborators
First Light Studio
Civil engineer
AWA Environmental
Structural engineer
CGW Consulting Engineers
Construction
Light timber frame with airtightness membrane
Material
Thermally Modified Timber (JSC TMT Taxon), Coloursteel Sandstone Grey
Typology
Residential › House, Infill Housing
Located between Wellington’s creative Cuba quarter and the central business district, 129 Willis Street was earthquake prone and ready for a refurbishment. Previously home to three small commercial tenants, the refurbished office transformed the dark, inefficiently laid-out space into a lofty, open plan work space, suited to the modern working envi...
Project name
Willis Street Strengthening / Renovation
Architecture firm
First Light Studio
Location
Wellington, New Zealand
Principal architect
Ben Jagersma
Design team
Ben Jagersma, Olly Syme, Luke Bryant
Built area
520 m² (including 30 m² deck)
Site area
215 m² + 45 m² road reserve
Structural engineer
Silvester Clark Consulting Engineers
Material
Historic brick & timber building with new concrete sheer walls and exposed structural steel
Typology
Commercial › Office Building › Structural Strengthening & Commercial fit out
