Meet Wingates, the multi-disciplinary firm designing for current and future generations

Established in 2004, Wingates (formerly Wingate Architects) is a multi-disciplinary architecture and interior design firm operating in what founder David Wingate calls the ‘golden triangle’ — that is, the scalene triangle formed by three North Island cities; Auckland, Hamilton, and Tauranga.

With offices in each of the vertices, the 45-strong team has delivered projects across various design disciplines, from commercial developments, retail, and hospitality spaces to award-winning residential properties. At the core of every project lies an open exchange of ideas, an exploration of technology, and attentive listening to clients, collaborators, and communities involved.

“A well-delivered project is a demonstration of the value of brave, meaningful engagement and inquiry that leads to making our environment better, and faithfully serving as kaitiaki — acting on behalf of generations of New Zealanders to come,” says David Maurice, Wingates’ Principal, Strategy and Communication.

This approach sees the team involving themselves in the local community where possible, to leave a positive legacy and ensure each project provides value for all. Particularly important is creating a connection between the built environment and the land.

“By blurring the boundaries between inside and outside, our buildings connect people to nature, leading to healthy and productive environments where individuals are engaged in their surroundings,” Maurice explains. 

“We want to provide design solutions that respect and connect the surrounding environment with both current and future generations in mind.”

When asked about the firm’s most significant achievement to date, Maurice shines the spotlight on the numerous projects completed by the firm over the last 19 years. Two recently completed projects stand out in particular, New World Te Kauwhata and Merimbula House (a special Australian residential project), along with a current project, 2 Devonport Road, under construction in Tauranga.

Recognising the changing expectations for Aotearoa’s grocery retail environments, New World Te Kauwhata prioritises the human experience. Both customers and staff should feel relaxed with all senses engaged as they move through the environment.

“The most complex part of the project was balancing the commercial requirements of a small format retail operation while understanding that food and beverage retail is linked to socialisation — seeking to establish and deepen relationships with the customer base by exposing them to new experiences and products,” says Chris Brading, Wingates’ Director and Sector Lead for Foodstuffs.

The project, completed in 2022, received bronze at the BEST Awards in the retail environments category.

Situated on cleared land overlooking Short Point and the Sapphire Coast, the home — designed by David Wingate — centres around an open living area that connects the north and south wings housing bedrooms, offices, a garage, laundry, and a physio studio with its own private entrance. Materials were sourced locally, with a beautiful run of spotted gum cladding both the interior and exterior.

For the client, it was essential the home could heat and cool itself without air-conditioning.

“Our approach was to have large overhangs that offer shade to the north-facing glazing for heat control, effective cross-ventilation including a south light air dump, wood fires, and heavily insulated external fabric. The house has also been future-proofed with solar panels and battery storage,” Wingate explains.

The home was completed in 2022, receiving high commendation at the TIDA Australia Awards.

Scheduled for completion in mid-2024, the 2 Devonport Road development, led by Wingates’ Director and Head of Commercial Sector Shane Forward and Design Director Jonathan Gibb, will be home for Craigs Investment Partners.

“We have designed the building to respond to its stunning site alongside the harbour and Tauranga CBD, referencing the water, corner streets, and surrounding built and unbuilt environments,” Forward says.

Craigs Investment Partners will take up 4000 square metres, including a separate client floor and three levels of office space. The fit-out has been designed to support new ways of working, considering the shift in expectations and hybrid working post-pandemic.

Learn more about Wingates.