Design Base Architects

03/09/2026

30/07/2026

A fitout for a local travel company who had rapidly outgrown their downtown premises, the Fine Tours Group fitout offers the dynamic travel team bright and spacious office spaces, covering three tenancies in the Cubus building in Three Parks, Wānaka. 

With colour and sustainable NZ made materials, the spaces feature adaptable meeting spaces, private phone rooms, kitchen amenities for each tenancy, grouped working areas, relaxed breakout areas with open plan office seating allowing access to stunning views. There is a full kitchen and large seating area for office events, with an adjacent exterior space. Biophilia features throughout with an abundance of living plants.

09/01/2026

We’re proud of the design quality and high-performance outcomes being achieved with our William Street Housing Project for Habitat for Humanity.

The townhouses utilise pre-fabricated SIPs panels from Formance to increase thermal performance and improve airtightness. Paired with a centralised heat recovery system, these townhouses will be free from unwanted moisture, with fresh healthy air year round. High-performance UPVC windows and doors are recessed back into the wall line to improve thermal performance. Advanced glazing and considered verandahs help control solar gain and prevent overheating during summer. 

Comprehensive thermal modelling has been undertaken to test all of the above design assumptions to ensure these houses are comfortable, warm and require minimal energy to heat. 

SIPs by
Developed By

22/12/2025

Take the first look at our Rutherford St housing project, developed for Habitat for Humanity.

This development provides high-quality, affordable rental homes by delivering one and two bedroom apartments, alongside three bedroom townhouses.

The townhouses and apartments are located around a north-facing, central shared space, designed to encourage connection and community. Individual outdoor spaces for each townhouse and apartment offer privacy for each residence. 

The apartment buildings also feature a shared rooftop terrace, offering views across Nelson and an additional communal space for residents to enjoy.

Watch this space to see how this project takes shape in 2026.

19/12/2025

The living space at Tosswill Rd house creates a light and open area with views over Tahunanui and back into the expansive garden. 

A raked ceiling is supported by striking Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) beams. The wall and ceiling colours have been left neutral, to allow the beams and grooved ceiling lining to feature. Pops of colour have been added via the green marmoleum flooring and timber bench top. 

Builder - Shayne Dickinson 

Photographer -

19/12/2025

A huge congratulations to Ben in our Nelson office who’s recently become a Registered Architect! Ben has played a key role in developing the design and documentation for our Habitat for Humanity projects and the Waimarino Luxury Lodge. Ben has a strong dedication to his work and brings a focused approach to all aspects of design and project delivery. Our Habitat for Humanity projects, in particular, have benefitted from his ability to balance cost–benefit assessments while identifying innovative ways to improve building performance within tight budgets.

Well done Ben!