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Studio - Taiwhanga
Tū ngātahi, ka tapu
// Through unity, we grow.
Designgroup Stapleton Elliott is an architectural practice that celebrates diversity and fosters inclusivity. Our people are our strength, and through unity, we grow.
Our Practice
Maintaining the culture of one office across multiple studio locations.
DGSE is a nationwide practice with roots stemming back 50 years. Formed by a large team with diverse backgrounds and skills, we assist with a refined scope of design services, including Architecture, Interior Architecture, Masterplanning, and Landscape Architecture.
While our presence in Aotearoa has grown over the years, the culture hasn’t changed. We maintain the tight-knit, inclusive community from which we grew and consider it the foundation of our success.
Today, our studios are located in Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington, and Queenstown. Working as a collective, our people maintain strong connections across Aotearoa and work as one studio.
The greatest outcome of this collaborative working style is our ability to achieve the highest levels of design. Our work reflects the synergy of our talented architects, designers, and specialists.
Our Purpose
Whakahaumako i te oranga mā te hoahoanga // Enriching lives through architecture.
Architecture is capable of making profound impacts on our planet and people. We’re not just shaping the built environment; we’re altering our relationship with nature, influencing social behaviour, and paving the direction of our future.
At DGSE, we acknowledge the weight of our responsibility as architects and approach every project with manaakitanga // care and respect. What is the spirit of the place? Who are the people? How will our design balance with nature? People, place, and culture are at the heart of our design processes, and it’s with a deep understanding of each that we create architecture that enriches lives.
DGSE continues to evolve its processes, focusing on cultural identity and environmental impact. This development has become instrumental to our work and enables our team to align with our guiding purpose.
Our Values
Manaaki whenua, manaaki tangata, anga whakamua // Care for the land, care for the people, go forward.
People
We are dedicated to enriching the lives of many. We listen to understand and seek design opportunities that will profoundly impact how people live. Whether designing public architecture, urban landscapes, or homes, people are always at the fore of our practice.
Place
Designing architecture that gives people tūrangawaewae // a place to stand // requires deep comprehension of the project’s location and history. We think locally, from a holistic lens, and search for regenerative solutions that positively impact our future.
Culture
The built environment plays a prominent role in a country’s identity. We create architecture that reflects the culture of its place and contributes to shaping the country’s design language. As a leading practice in Aotearoa, we recognise the value of Te Ao Māori in our processes.
Partnerships
Collaborating with a nationwide association of independent architectural practices.
Designgroup Stapleton Elliott is a member of Designgroup New Zealand (DGNZ), a nationwide association of independent architectural practices. We work together to provide our clients with a wide range of expertise and an extended resource capability.
Designgroup New Zealand has ten offices in eight locations and employs over 200 staff, making the company one of New Zealand’s largest architectural institutions.
Collectively, DGNZ offers a unique combination of specialist skills coupled with local, hands-on leadership and support. The association’s key strength lies in teamwork; we embrace collaboration and consider it the foundation of successful projects.