It’s never a question of what to design,
but why.
We create places that people want to be in and around - buildings and their surroundings that meet the long-term needs of people through the consideration of sustainability, community, and culture.
Moller Architects is one of New Zealand's most respected architectural firms. In practice for more than 50 years, winners of over 60 architecture design awards, and with projects across four continents. The studio has nurtured some of New Zealand's finest architectural talent and created a legacy of much loved buildings.
Design isn't a fixed process. People are different and solutions are personal. Design is a social vocation. Great ideas don't appear in a vacuum; creativity is a collaborative process. We see the boundaries of architecture, who we are, and how we work with each other and our clients, as dynamic.
Our process is collaborative and cross-disciplinary, which allows for fluidity, flexibility and opens up limitless opportunities for creative thinking. We also like cheese scones
People
Craig Moller
Registered Architect, Director
B Arch(Auck) M Arch(Yale) FNZIA
EmailCraig Moller (Ngāti Hauā) is a director at Moller Architects and has a degree in architecture from the University of Auckland and Yale University. He has over 30 years experience in practice on a wide range of building typologies. He teaches studio at the University of Auckland’s School of Architecture and Planning, an assessor for the New Zealand Registered Architects Board and a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel. He draws in his spare time and rides a bike.
Gordon Moller
Registered Architect, Director
ONZM, Dip.Arch, Hon D.Litt(Well) FNZIA PPNZIA
EmailGordon Moller’s career as a creative designer started with a series of small houses, where he explored what has become a life-long interest in the roots of New Zealand architecture. Modest in programme, these works reflected a sense of form and material that links them to colonial prototypes. The first of these to attract notice was his own house at Birkdale, designed in 1964, while he was still a student. Shortly afterwards, a second house, designed for his own family at Pinehaven in 1969, was recognised by his colleagues with the award of a Bronze Medal in 1970, followed by a Silver Medal in 1971.
Florence de Lisle
Architectural Graduate
Florence de Lisle
Architectural Graduate
EmailFlorence joined Moller Architects in 2022 after completing her architectural studies. Florence has worked on a wide range of projects of various scales and types while at Moller Architects, from large and complex commercial developments to residential projects and interior fitouts. She is committed to working collaboratively with others to realise each project’s potential and strives to achieve the best quality outcome possible.
Jake Tindall
Senior Architectural Graduate
Jake Tindall
Senior Architectural Graduate
EmailJake joined Moller Architects in 2014 after completing his education in architecture. Jake has worked on a wide range of projects of various scales and types while at Moller Architects, from multiple large and complex commercial developments to small residential projects. He is committed to working collaboratively with others to realise each project’s potential and strives to achieve the best quality outcome possible.
James McNicholas
Architectural Graduate
James McNicholas
Architectural Graduate
EmailJames joined Moller Architects in 2023 with a background in
bespoke residential and commercial typologies of various scales.
He enjoys making architecture that inspires experience. That in
response to environmental & technical challenges, a collaborative
design-led process creates the most unique outcomes.
Norman Wei
Registered Architect
Norman Wei
Registered Architect
EmailNorman joined Moller Architects in 2015 after completing his education in architecture. He has a keen interest in projects of various typologies and scales, engaging in all stages of project development from concept to completion. Enthusiastic about innovative products and technologies, Norman believes that consistent care, effective communication, and attention to detail are crucial for successful outcomes. Norman also teaches part-time at Auckland University's School of Architecture.
Vanessa Coxhead
Architectural Graduate
Vanessa Coxhead
Architectural Graduate
EmailVanessa’s positive, energetic approach to architecture is emboldened by her considerable previous work in the wider arts field. Before moving into architecture, she completed a degree in visual arts, and has a background in project management of public art initiatives, exhibition coordination and architectural research and writing. The connections between contemporary art, events and architecture communities feed into her evolving design philosophy.
Vanessa is passionate about the opportunity architecture has to improve our lives and is involved in the studio’s mixed-use and residential projects, and community and cultural developments.
Her industry work includes roles on the New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland Branch coordinating the Festival of Architecture in 2018 and 2019 and a core team member of Architecture + Women NZ (2020-2022). She is currently on the board of Te Pūtahi: Centre for Architecture & City Making. Vanessa is known for her home baking which is rigorously tested by the studio.
Awards
Moller Architects has been recognised in New Zealand and abroad with over 60 awards including
- New Zealand Institute of Architects Gold Medal.
- Over 40 NZIA regional and national awards
- World Architecture Festival
- New Zealand Property Council Civic Excellence
- Architectural Review
- Sculpture on the Gulf Pavilion Competition
- Master Builders Award
- AAA Visionary Architecture Award
Press
- Lungs of Kapiti
Kapiti Urban August 2022 - Sky Tower
The Spinoff August 2022 - Craig Moller colour collab
Resene July 2022 - Hihiaua Cultural Centre
Architecture Now June 2021 - Drawing on Ideas
Architecture Now August 2020 - Pounui Ridge
Architecture Now May 2020 - 5 Favourite Things
Viva February 2020 - Tall Hut: Sculpture on the Gulf Pavilion
World Architecture Festival - Sky Tower Revisited
Architecture Now August 2017 - ASB Waterfront Theatre
Architecture Now September 2016 - Te Atatu Peninsula Community Centre & Library
Architecture Now 2015 - Masu Restaurant
Architecture Now May 2014 - High on the hill
Urbis February 2013 - Gordon Moller Investiture 2006
Governor General - Gordon Moller Gold Medal 2006
NZIA - Tall Hut
Idealog - Colour Collab
Architecture Now June 2022 - Tall Hut
Architecture Now August 2023 - No frills house
NZ Herald - Housing not Houses
Architecture Now October 2024
Giving
At Moller Architects we believe we not only shape our environments through the practice of architecture, but also in other fields in which, as architects, we can help and assist others.
The Directors of Moller Architects have taught at all three Schools of Architecture in New Zealand. We have served on a number of Boards, including the Auckland Theatre Company and Wellington City Gallery.
Gordon Moller is a Past President of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, and a former Chair of Auckland Theatre Company.
Craig Moller has held a teaching position at Auckland University School of Architecture for the last 17 years, is an assessor for the New Zealand Registered Architects Board, and a member of the Auckland Urban Design Panel.
We contribute financially to the following organisations:
Careers
We are always looking for people with skills, talent & ability, but equally people we can work with collaboratively.
You are very welcome to contact us for consideration, we enjoy hearing from like minds.
- Send your CV and Portfolio in PDF format to studio@mollerarchitects.com