News + Thoughts

The latest news, projects, opinions and innovations from the Respond studio.

NZGBC - Homestar Design Guide

New Homestar design guide makes healthier homes more accessible

The new Homestar V5 Design Guide, commissioned by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) and compiled by Respond Architects, has been officially launched.

Windy Ridge School – Te Whare Ako wins Excellence Award at PCNZ Property Industry Awards 2024

Windy Ridge School – Te Whare Ako wins Excellence Award at PCNZ Property Industry Awards 2024

The R—A team who worked on the new high performance classroom building – Te Whare Ako – for Windy Ridge School were honoured to be recognised with an Excellence Award at the Property Industry Awards 2024.

SIPs with Respond Architects - high performance and prefabrication for better buildings

SIPs – high performance and prefabrication for better buildings

New construction methods are emerging that can shorten construction time, reduce costs and increase the as-built performance of new homes.

Natasha Cockerell talks to Pro Clima podcast

“We accept a lot just because we don’t know any different.”

Natasha Cockerell talks to Pro Clima podcast about the importance of prioritising simplicity, efficiency and comfort in building design.

The new high-performance classroom block designed by Respond Architects for Windy Ridge School on Auckland’s North Shore.

Windy Ridge School nominated for Property Council Industry Awards 2024

The new high-performance classroom block designed by Respond Architects for Windy Ridge School on Auckland’s North Shore has been nominated for a Property Council New Zealand 2024 Property Industry Award.

Block development big step forward - Respond—Architects

Block development big step forward

A great article in this month’s Business North on our redevelopment project at Tauranga Girls College.

Translating monuments and buildings to governance with Natasha Cockerell CMInstD

Translating monuments and buildings to governance

R—A director Natasha Cockerell recently shared her views on governance as part of the Institute of Directors’ Board Matters podcast series.

Deanwell School - Blog Thumbnail

Great result for school following remediation

Part of the Ministry of Education’s weathertightness remediation programme, Deanwell School are now enjoying their brighter, healthier, fit-for-purpose school hall.

Bush View House News Preview

Maraetai home wins Gold

This stunning Maraetai home, designed by Respond Architects, has won Gold in the Registered Master Builders Auckland House of the Year 2023 awards.

Arthur Lee - Artchitectural Designer and Certified Passive House Consultant

How Vulcan Timber Positively Impacts a Building Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Passive House designer Arthur Lee has created a Building Carbon Life Cycle Assessment that shows the positive impact Vulcan Cladding can have on the carbon footprint of a building.

Respond Architects - Oceania Football Confederation Head Office - Home of Football

OFC ‘Home of Football’ – a Property Industry Awards 2023 Finalist

The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC)’s “Home of Football”, a modern, flexible facility with offices and public spaces.

Architect Joe Lyth, wife Sarah and their children - Lawrence Smith/Stuff

Architect ‘walking the talk’ for sustainability at home

Architect Joe Lyth, wife Sarah and their children (from left) Emily, Lily and William have a sustainable lifestyle in Tahekeroa, north of Auckland.

Joe, Shana and Arthur - Respond Architect's Sustainability Team

Passive House Whānau Spotlight – Arthur Lee from Respond Architects

This article first appeared in the December edition of the PHINZ member newsletter.

Layering spaces, light and modernity

Layering spaces, light and modernity

Mark Gribble and Natasha Cockerell speak about a shift in design direction they took for the renovation of a classic Remuera bungalow.

An architect's own home which goes against the grain

An architect’s own home which goes against the grain

Joe Lyth discusses his new three-bedroom Tahekeroa home, which is super energy efficient and built on a budget.

Respond Architects - Associates for 2021

Respond Associates for 2021

We’d like to introduce three new Associates who have been invaluable, and who have excelled in their areas of expertise.

Cost vs Benefits - Passive House Preview

Cost vs Benefits: Passive House

Respond Architect’s Joe Lyth shows us why investing more up-front will see you enjoying savings and health benefits well into the future.

Lower Saddle Wall

A Change For Good

Available now, the Healthy Homes Design Guide is the culmination of input from over 70 professionals across New Zealand.

Takapuna Grammar School - Main Block and Hall

A Labour of Love

After seven years of hard work, the redevelopment and restoration of the iconic Takapuna Grammar School main block and Hall has been revealed.

Emma Fell Presentation

Pushing the Boundaries of Prefabricated Design

Emma Fell, an architectural graduate at Respond–Architects, speaks on her Masters’ thesis which has attracted a great deal of attention.

Greenstar Accredited Professionals - Wendy Ryan and Fiona Duffy at Respond Architects

A Move to Green

Fiona Duffy and Wendy Ryan recently completed the Green Star ‘Design & As Built’ course. In this article they talk about what this means for their clients.

Road to Registration – The Merits of the Architect

Now on the path to becoming a Registered Architect, Architectural Graduate Nickolas Morris talks to us about the advantages of professional development and the difference a Registered Architect can make to your project.

Lower Saddle House - Section 16x9

How much does it cost to design and build a Passive House in NZ?

In the third instalment of our Passive House series, we look at one of the most common questions people have when looking to build a PH certified home: ‘can I afford it?’.

Services Cutaway

Achieving Passive House Certification – And Why It’s Not Just for New Homes

In this second article, in a series about Passive House, we’re delving deeper into what is required to successfully achieve certification.

Passive House - Interior 1 Preview

Why More Kiwis Should Consider Passive House Certification

The first in a four part article series. Today we look at exactly what Passive House is and why you should seriously consider it for your home.

Passive House - Exterior View Render

The Science Behind Warmer, Drier, Healthier Homes

Are Passive House certified homes set to be the next big thing in New Zealand? We talk to architect Joe Lyth about why Respond Architects is right behind the Passive House movement.

Respond Architects at Festival Of Architecture 2019: Model Citizens

Festival of Architecture 2019: Model Citizens

On a rainy Thursday night, 5 of the Respond team attended the Model Citizens event, part of the New Zealand Festival of Architecture, where they competed against 9 other teams.

Respond Architects VR Headsets

Respond VR Headsets

Want to see your new build or renovation project in 3D? Respond’s VR headsets provide a totally immersive experience.

Architecture as a response to its surroundings

We talk to Directors Mark Gribble and Natasha Cockerell about what makes their architectural studio different, and what the future holds.

From design to build in record time

With a smart approach to design and a clear understanding of the market, Respond Architects has helped take Abercrombie Mews from site purchase to construction in just seven months.

Striking a balance: great design on a budget

When it comes to construction projects, whether residential or commercial, your eyes can sometimes be bigger than your wallet.

How a towering Orewa apartment block is being fixed

Repairs to one of New Zealand’s largest leaky buildings are advancing, its aluminium cladding removed and protective building coverings up.

To renovate or not to renovate

With property in New Zealand still a solid investment, you might be looking at renovating or extending your property. Here’s how to make the decision.

Delivering Honda’s brand new head office

Respond Architects deliver a state-of-the-art, 500+ square metre office design for Honda New Zealand.

Innovative learning environments

The education of our children is of the utmost importance, and the spaces and environments they’re taught in can help or hinder the process.

A home built around a courtyard

A design response to a modern suburban environment that’s thousands of years old.

Auckland schools desperately want government to plan for roll growth

Stuff.co.nz investigates development going on in New Zealand schools. Respond Architects project at Takapuna Grammar School is featured.

NZIA IN:SITU Conference: the resurgence of beauty

Respond Architects Joe Lyth waxes lyrical about the recent NZIA In:Situ bi-annual conference.

Money only problem in Christchurch Cathedral rebuild

Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking seeks Director Natasha Cockerell’s opinion on the Christchurch  Cathedral – repair or rebuild? Listen to the interview here.

Culture of old blocks different

NZ Herald interviews Director Natasha Cockerell on the challenges and pitfalls to consider when purchasing an apartment in an older building.

Building information modelling…let’s call it BIM

Delving into the benefits of Building Information Modelling – and what it actually is.

Getting the most out of your site

Director Natasha Cockerell talks about how developers can maximise their profits by making the most of their land area.

Cumberland House: rejuvenation of a classic

Cumberland House, designed by Neil Simmons in the late 1980s, is an exciting example of enduring modern architecture.