Who we are

Architecture shaped by place, people and nature

AP Architect Studio is led by Agathe Porlier, a French Registered Architect and Licensed Building Practitioner – Design 2 in New Zealand.

Since 2011, Agathe has built an international career working with award-winning practices across Aotearoa New Zealand, the United States, South America, and Réunion Island. Her experience across diverse cultures, climates, and landscapes has shaped an approach to architecture that places people, place, and the environment at the heart of every project.

For more than 15 years, Agathe has been helping people create their dream homes through thoughtful, sustainable design. Each project is an opportunity to create architecture that responds to its site, respects its occupants, and minimises its impact on the environment.

“From the moment we step onto a site, the surrounding landscape should invite and guide us towards the architecture and into the spaces within. Architecture is a journey of discovery — shaped by the land, informed by nature, and designed to create an emotional connection between people and place.”

Designing with the landscape

Agathe is passionate about low-carbon construction and responsible material choices. Wherever possible, she prioritises local materials and those with long life cycles, while carefully considering the unique qualities of each site, from sunlight, wind, and soil to views, vegetation, and the surrounding landscape.

For AP Architect Studio, sustainable architecture is not simply about reducing the environmental impact of a building. It is about creating places that connect people with their surroundings and recognising that every design decision has an impact on both people and the planet.

2026 Director at AP Architect Studio

2024 Licensed Building Practitioner Design 2 New Zealand

2023 Homestar Designer Certification

2011 to 2026: Working for award winning companies internationnally including New Zealand

2015 Registered Architect (France)

2014 Post-Professional Master of Architecture (Tropical & Bioclimatic Architecture and Urbanism) – ENSA La Réunion, France

2011 Master of Architecture with honour – ENSA Saint-Étienne, France

2009 Bachelor of Architecture, ENSA Saint-Étienne, France

Our Vision

As designers, we believe that we can and must "do better with less" for the well-being of people and the respect of the environment.

Our Values

Inspire

Your home will be standing for many years. The way it is built shapes our lives and has the power to inspire generations to come.

As architects and inhabitants of this planet, we have a responsibility to consider changing circumstances, including family dynamics, climate and economic conditions, when designing a home.

Connect to nature

Nature surrounds us and influences our emotions and feelings. We carefully observe the land on which a house will be built, considering its views, trees, sunlight and prevailing winds. We connect each building with these natural elements.

Architecture is about creating meaningful experiences and establishing a dialogue with nature. We value the connection between indoors and outdoors, bringing a sense of discovery to our designs.

Low Impact & Innovation

We believe in designing buildings that sit naturally within the landscape and have a low visual impact. We use renewable, recycled and durable materials with long life cycles, as well as local materials wherever we can.

We create low-carbon buildings using passive solar principles and Passive House design strategies. Bigger is not always better, so we carefully consider what is needed and whether each room can serve multiple purposes. We design buildings that are made to stand the test of time.

We explore new ideas and continually research the latest available innovations.

Wellbeing

Wellbeing is our priority. We deeply believe that the quality of the spaces in which we live can significantly influence how we feel. We create architecture that is welcoming, warm and nourishing to the soul.

We care for people and the planet. We design with natural elements in mind, including the land, rivers, wind and sun, and aim to create spaces adapted to the generations to come.

We are expert in residential projects of different sizes, and budgets.

We offer meaningful, efficient, cost-conscious, and sustainable architecture and interior design services. We aim to work closely with you all the way though the design process to provide the highest level of personalised design adapted to your vision, needs and wishes.

We work also closely with contractors and consultants (for cost tracking for exemplet) to bring your project to life in time and on budget.

New Construction and Renovations

We create functional spaces based on your needs.

• Re-Design the Plan of your home

• Living Spaces Design

• Kitchen Design and Remodel

• Bathroom Design and Remodel

• Selection of materials and furniture

• Colours

• Cost analisis and review

We integrate these elements with the overall idea of the space, creating a cohesive look and feel. We also work with outside Interior Designers for specific elements of the project.

What we do

Interior Design

How we do it

We listen

We listen carefully your needs and vision for your future home. We give you detailed proposals, provide optional levels of service, lay out what to expect, and work closely with consultants to keep each project’s budget on track.

We guide

We translate your idea or story that expresses what is most important to you into something beautiful, highly functional, and cost-efficient. After listening carefully, we synthesise the practical and the artistic into a unified composition and guide you through each steps of the design process.

We make design meaningful

What love to design unique homes to fit each client and each site. We listem, we respect, we guide you into creating a home that is meaningful for you and your family.

We respect

We respect what you ask for and put an efficient design process in place. We love simplicity and smartly designed spaces can serve multiple functions without sacrificing quality and beauty. We’re also experienced at solving the complexity of working within existing structures or on difficult sites.

info@ap-architectstudio.com

+64 22 545 5010

5034, Paekakariki, New Zealand