Stephenson&Turner

At S&T, we take a confident, collaborative, and holistic approach to every project, delivering innovative architecture, engineering, building performance, and lighting design solutions across Aotearoa and the Pacific.

We design with intent, staying true to our firm’s commitment to sustainability, integrity, and excellence. By deeply immersing ourselves in our clients’ goals and objectives, we build trusted relationships that ensure seamless project delivery from inception to completion.

Our culture is built on honesty, diversity, and thoughtfulness. Every team member, regardless of role, is treated with respect and provided with the tools to excel. When our people thrive, it shows in our award-winning designs and future-proofed built environments.

We honour the unique worldview of iwi Māori, embedding Te Ao Māori principles into our design practice. This perspective strengthens our ability to create sustainable, culturally responsive spaces that contribute to better communities and environments for generations to come.

We recognise that our day-to-day operations impact the environment. That’s why we actively measure and monitor our energy consumption, waste streams, staff commuting habits, and work-related travel, ensuring we minimise our carbon footprint.

Climate change is the greatest challenge of our time. As part of Aotearoa’s commitment to the Paris Agreement, we strive to support the goal of keeping the global temperature rise below 1.5°C. With the built environment contributing 20% of the nation’s carbon emissions, we are dedicated to low-carbon building design, energy-efficient engineering, and sustainable construction methods that help New Zealand meet its carbon reduction target of 30% by 2030.

Through innovative architecture, passive building design, and integrated sustainability solutions, we are shaping a built environment that is not only functional and future-proof but also environmentally responsible.

We are proudly locally owned and the custodians of a century-old architectural legacy in Aotearoa.

Founded by Sir Arthur Stephenson, Stephenson & Turner New Zealand began as an architectural practice rooted in International Modernism. For over 100 years, we have led the way in New Zealand architecture, specialising in commercial office design, healthcare architecture, heritage restoration, and sustainable building solutions.

In April 2022, our Auckland, Waikato, Wellington, and Christchurch offices became independent companies, each focusing on their core strengths and key geographical advantages to drive growth. Together, we form The S&T Group, with Stephenson & Turner New Zealand Ltd continuing to oversee the brand and provide essential shared services.

As we evolve, we remain committed to design excellence, sustainability, and shaping Aotearoa’s built environment for the future.

At Stephenson & Turner, we deliver innovative, sustainable, and inspiring architectural solutions for every project. As a whānau, we operate with principles that reflect our collaborative and inclusive culture. With a strong focus on community architecture, we create spaces that are functional, enduring, and beautifully designed.

Our experienced team specialises in commercial architecture, heritage restoration, educational facilities, sports and recreation buildings, and sustainable urban design. We work closely with clients to develop cohesive, high-performance solutions that embody the core principles of durability, utility, and beauty.

Our Process

We listen. We take the time to understand your vision, functional needs, and sustainability goals. By applying our expertise in Passive House design, low-carbon building solutions, and future-proofed architecture, we craft elegant, cost-effective designs that exceed expectations.

We recognise the deep connection between a building’s exterior and interior—designing spaces that enhance functionality, well-being, and user experience. Our interior architecture tells a story, expressing the unique identity of every project while delivering sustainable, human-centric solutions.

Whether it’s a learning hub, workplace, sports facility, commercial space, government building or hospitality project, we understand how the built environment influences productivity, health, and well-being. Our team collaborates closely with architects, engineers, and sustainability specialists from the outset, ensuring a seamless integration of form and function.

We prioritise environmentally friendly materials and locally sourced finishes that showcase the best of Aotearoa. Designed to be durable, adaptive, and timeless, our interior spaces are crafted to elevate everyday experiences and stand the test of time.

Our award-winning Stephenson & Turner Engineering team applies innovative, science-based solutions to enhance building performance without compromising design aesthetics. We prioritise safety, efficiency, resilience, and occupant comfort, ensuring that every project meets both today’s needs and future demands.

By working seamlessly alongside our in-house architecture, lighting, and building performance specialists, we deliver integrated, high-performance solutions that optimise energy efficiency, sustainability, and functionality.

Our Services

We provide comprehensive building services engineering across multiple disciplines, including:

• Mechanical Engineering – Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC), energy-efficient building climate control.
• Electrical Engineering – Power distribution, lighting design, security systems, and data infrastructure.
• Hydraulic Engineering – Plumbing and drainage systems, water efficiency solutions.
• Fire Protection Engineering – Fire alarms, sprinkler systems, fire suppression technologies.
• Vertical Transportation – Lifts, escalators, and travelators for efficient building movement.

With expertise in sustainable engineering, decarbonisation strategies, and future-proofed building services, we help create high-performing, low-carbon buildings that stand the test of time.

Our Building Performance Team specialises in designing efficient, dry, resilient, and comfortable buildings that support sustainability, energy efficiency, and occupant well-being. We take a holistic approach, considering factors like thermal envelope design, building orientation, window-to-wall ratio, ventilation strategies, and overheating mitigation to optimise building performance.

We are passionate about advancing industry best practices and driving sustainable building solutions that reduce carbon footprints and improve New Zealand’s built environment. Our team actively promotes high-performance building strategies, recognising the urgent need to improve building stock and minimise environmental impact.

Our Services

Through a collaborative approach, our architects and engineers work together to create environmentally responsible, energy-efficient designs that enhance health, productivity, and quality of life. Our expertise includes:

• Carbon Emissions Prediction – Assessing and reducing a building’s carbon footprint.
• Building Thermal Computer Modelling – Analysing energy use and climate responsiveness.
• Thermal Envelope Analysis & H1 Compliance – Ensuring insulation and energy efficiency standards are met.
• Interstitial Condensation Prediction – Preventing moisture issues and ensuring building durability.
• Healthy & Low-Emitting Materials Analysis – Promoting sustainable, non-toxic materials.
• NZGBC Green Star Assessments – Supporting green building certifications.
• V5 Homestar Assessments – Improving residential energy efficiency and sustainability.
• NABERSNZ Ratings – Optimising commercial building performance.
• WELL Ratings – Enhancing occupant health and well-being.

By reducing reliance on non-sustainable resources and integrating cutting-edge performance strategies, we create buildings that are climate-responsive, low-carbon, and future-proofed.

Stephenson & Turner's award-winning lighting design team brings together experienced specialists passionate about crafting dynamic, functional, and sustainable lighting solutions. We create lighting environments that balance technical precision with human-centric design, enhancing well-being, visual comfort, and energy efficiency.

With extensive experience across retail, commercial offices, residential, education, healthcare, sports facilities, and urban spaces, we integrate cutting-edge lighting technology with aesthetic and functional considerations. Our expertise spans circadian lighting design, glare reduction, power efficiency, and lux level optimisation, ensuring each project meets both regulatory requirements and design aspirations.

Our Services

We approach every project with a commitment to precision, innovation, and sustainability. Our lighting design services include:

• Functional, Aesthetic & Safety Lighting – Creating visually engaging, energy-efficient lighting solutions tailored to each space.
• Lighting Control Systems – Integrating smart lighting solutions to optimise energy use, flexibility, and automation.
• Emergency Lighting – Designing code-compliant emergency and exit lighting systems for safety and reliability.
• Urban & Pathway Lighting – Enhancing public spaces with sustainable, well-planned illumination.
• Dark Sky Compliance Reviews – Minimising light pollution while maintaining visibility and safety.
• Sports Field & Stadium Lighting – Ensuring high-performance, glare-controlled lighting for athletic environments.
• Retail & Commercial Lighting Design – Developing branded lighting experiences that enhance engagement and productivity.

At S&T, we focus on creating sustainable, human-centric lighting designs that enhance mood, productivity, and energy efficiency while aligning with industry best practices and environmental standards.