MINISTRY

A couple of weeks ago, our team took a break to celebrate 2024 on Rangitoto Island! We hiked to the summit, had a festive Christmas dinner, played some seriously competitive White Elephant, took our first swims of the season, and spent the night in the island’s historic baches. As we wrapped up the year, we took a moment at the summit to reflect on everything we've achieved in 2024 — from exciting new projects with both new and familiar clients, to some major milestones with our larger-scale projects. Our work continues to span across a huge range of sectors, including aged care, education, commercial, residential, multi-residential, interiors, hospitality, industrial, the occasional mushroom factory, crematoria and more. We are so proud of this variety and the impact of what we’re creating in the built environment. We want to extend our gratitude to everyone we have worked with this year and helped us bring projects to life, especially our remarkable clients, as without you, none of these projects would have been possible. We also want to thank the many people, including consultants, contractors, and photographers, who have been integral to the success of these projects. This year has been about collaboration, creativity, and continued partnerships. Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited for all the opportunities and creative projects the new year will bring. Here’s to more collaboration, creativity, and growth in the year to come!

We’re thrilled to announce that our MPS Building at Auckland Normal Intermediate is a winner in the Architectural Design - Education Buildings category at the 2024 Architecture Masterprize Awards. Each year the Architecture MasterPrize celebrates the best in International Architecture. We are honoured to be selected from the thousands of submissions from 81 countries. Triggered by a fire that destroyed a century-old hall, the building is part of the initial phase of a comprehensive redevelopment of the school. The intent was to create a multi-purpose building which would create a new heart for the school and be suitable for generations to come. This project was a true labour of love. We couldn’t be prouder to see it recognised on the global stage. A huge thank you to our incredible clients, collaborators, and everyone involved in bringing this vision to life. MINISTRY Project team: Desmond Lam, Seth Randall, Nic Bonaventure, Thyra Nelson, Malcolm Ewart Ministry of Education New Zealand Structus 22 Degrees - Building Services Engineering Rubix Forme Planning Limited Stryde Projects Photography: Adam Firth Paul Ellis

Congratulations to Boris Adam on becoming a Registered Architect. We are excited to share a major milestone in the career of one of our own, Boris Adam, who has officially achieved registration as an Architect. This accomplishment is a testament to Boris' dedication, passion, and expertise in the field of architecture. His hard work and persistence have led to this well-earned recognition, and we couldn't be more proud to celebrate this achievement with him. Boris' commitment to excellence continues to inspire us all, and we look forward to seeing the continued impact of his work as he takes on new challenges and opportunities in the future. Please join us in congratulating Boris on this significant career achievement!

We’re thrilled to see this meaningful community housing project come to life in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Northern Region. MINISTRY is proud to have contributed to Habitat for Humanity's largest project in Aotearoa to date, and to have designed our very first project for them. What began as a plot with just three standalone houses has evolved into a vibrant, thriving community with 23 high-quality homes.   Some key highlights of the development include: - A residents' common room that fosters a sense connection and community - A self-contained 2-bedroom unit for visiting family and friends - Solar panels on all buildings for electricity generation - A shared BBQ area and play spaces where families can come together   This project marks another important step forward in addressing the need for quality housing and fostering stronger, more connected communities. Community Housing Aotearoa Ngā Wharerau o Aotearoa Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - Ministry of Housing and Urban Development NZ Kāinga Ora - Homes and Communities

Exciting progress is being made at Te Kamo High School, Whangārei. We're thrilled to see the redevelopment taking shape for the Ministry of Education New Zealand. The Blomfield Satellite unit is already buzzing with activity, and Teaching Block 2, Te Whare Wānanga, and their stunning outdoor learning spaces are almost complete!   A huge shoutout to Canam Commercial Ltd for their meticulous attention to detail - their craftsmanship has truly brought this project to life! Working alongside the talented design team and Mana Whenua, we’re proud to have created 16 spacious classrooms and 10 resource and breakout areas that are a truly vibrant reflection of the surrounding community and whenua. Once completed this project will provide the school with 1850m² of indoor learning space and 970m² of covered outdoor areas.   During our most recent walkthrough, the excitement was contagious as everyone looks forward to the grand opening next year. We can’t wait for the school to make this space their own! Mesh Consulting Limited Structus Matakohe Architecture + Urbanism Dodd Civil Consultants Ltd Beca

We’re excited to welcome Jonathan Gibb aboard as Associate Principal to the Ministry team!   As a highly motivated Design and Project Architect with a deep passion for the arts, Jonathan brings a wealth of expertise and a steadfast commitment to excellence. With a clear focus on effective communication throughout the design process, he ensures that every project reflects the highest standards of quality and creativity.   Jonathan has an impressive track record managing a diverse range of projects — ranging from conference centres and commercial high-rises to hotels and multi-residential developments to stand-alone bespoke houses across New Zealand and Australia. His ability to understand client needs, navigate budgets, and respond to site-specific contexts makes him an invaluable asset to our team. Jonathan also brings extensive experience in mentoring teams, fostering collaboration, and delivering exceptional project outcomes.   We are thrilled to see the fresh perspective and innovative solutions Jonathan will bring to our projects, and we’re confident his contributions will strengthen our commitment to delivering outstanding results. Please join us in welcoming Jonathan to the Ministry family!   #Leadership #Architecture #DesignExcellence

We’re excited to unveil the results of our latest collaboration with Tailor Inc. on the design of the new The a2 Milk Company Head Office in Auckland for Robt. Jones Holdings Ltd. Together we’ve created an interior that features a timeless aesthetic, enriched with natural materials including unfilled travertine, warm timber tones, and elegant brass accents, with touches of A2 Milk's brand colours. Notably, the lighter cream tones were purposefully chosen to reflect the inherent colours of milk, creating a harmonious connection to A2 Milk’s core product. To enhance the acoustics and comfort, acoustic wall linings were added to the boardroom and meeting rooms, ensuring a quality experience for all who use the space. The use of Moda Verona Herringbone ties the design together, complemented by an extra-matte finish that provides both beauty and practicality. We’re thrilled with the outcome—a visually striking and functional environment that truly supports A2 Milk’s dynamic culture. What do you think of this approach to office design? Share your thoughts in the comments. Photography Mark Scowen Construction Built Limited New Zealand

We’re thrilled to announce the completion of our latest project: a 3 storey apartment walk up which provides 15 new homes for CORT Community Housing in Takanini.   What once were two standalone houses is now a vibrant community. With ample parking, green spaces, proximity to public transport and local amenities, this community housing development offers a welcoming environment for residents to thrive.   It is always exciting seeing a building come to life once the residents move in and we start to get feedback from them. One of our favourite pieces of feedback we have received so far is that the Tenancy Manager said she was getting concerned about one of the tenants who “hasn’t stopped smiling for 48 hours” since moving in.   Seeing these projects come to life is incredibly rewarding, and we’re proud to continue to contribute to well-designed, resilient homes for those who need them most.

🎉🎈 Happy 14th Birthday to us! 🎈🎉 This month, we celebrate 14 years of creativity and collaboration as MINISTRY. We've had the pleasure of designing amazing spaces for incredible clients and working with some truly inspiring people. A huge ngā mihi nui to our talented team—past and present—who have made this journey possible, none of this would have been possible without you / us! So thanks to everyone who’s been a part of these last 14 years. Here’s to many more adventures ahead! Cheers!

At MINISTRY we’re dedicated to strengthening ties with our community. Our team actively engages with the communities we design for, helping us design better solutions and ensure we meet their needs. Recently, some of our amazing team members had the opportunity to volunteer at Auckland City Mission - Te Tāpui Atawhai where they packed 55 food boxes! With food prices climbing, it’s important to acknowledge that 1 in 5 people in New Zealand struggle to afford and access the food they need. The Auckland City Mission is dedicated to closing this gap and achieving zero hunger in Aotearoa by providing thousands with nutritious food parcels each year. By joining forces with them, we can all contribute to this important mission!