This is a story about Irving Smith Architects’ new studio in Nelson. It’s as much about its outer contextual boundaries as it is about its lack of interior ones, and how an open-minded approach to a seemingly challenging middle-floor positioning led to a rich, imaginative design response, well positioned for the pandemic, the climate crisis, new neighbours and any other curve balls likely to be thrown its way.

Originally Irving Smith Jack, this small South Island practice designed and built its former studio 15 years ago, just 80 metres down the street. “Your practice develops over time so this new space is more about where we are now and being sustainably better and carbon better,” says Smith. “It’s also about setting up the interior to suit our practice and the way we like to work.”

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