NW Studio is an interior architecture and design practice based in Arrowtown, New Zealand. We have a portfolio of projects ranging from hospitality, hotels and workplace to select residential and temporary installation work.
The studio is lead by Nikki Wilson who has a Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) from Victoria University Wellington. She has worked for Asia/Pacific architecture practise HBO+EMTB on projects predominantly for Ministry of Foreign Affairs which included NZ High Commissions, chanceries, and diplomatic residences. Alongside her work as a designer, she has been a regular contributing writer for a number of design publications and has taught at VUW School of Architecture and Design. She has a particular interest in heritage architecture.
Approach
Our work is intentionally in close collaboration with clients, and often undertaken as part of a collective of architects, developers, branding agencies, writers, chefs, craftspeople and artists. We love it when, in the process of creating a space, our work informs, and is informed by multiple disciplines.
A foundation of research and writing is key for all our projects. We find histories and narratives particular to each client, their building, their brand, the urban context, and landscape. Then, working between the conceptual and the operational, the emotive and the pragmatic, we embed these stories in the design in order to make extraordinary spaces.
Services
In its broadest sense, to make interior architecture is to design everything except the building’s facade, and a lot of the time we have input on that also. Our range of services include; historical research and writing, early design strategies, planning and feasibility studies, design and documentation of custom joinery, furniture and light fittings, coordination of outside consultants, documentation for consent and construction, selection of fittings, finishes, equipment, furniture and artworks, project management, budget control, procurement, site observation, installation and styling.
Words from Others…
"Nikki was excellent because she took a few key words and weaved together a rich visual story with sympathetic colours and textures. The result has exceeded my expectations and she managed it all while working remotely. We were presented options and pricing efficiently and the project was delivered to tight timeframes. A genuinely enjoyable experience working with Nikki and the interior of the cabin continues to bring joy."
Sam Morgan
“I have worked with NWS on several of her projects in the capacity of Photographer of Architecture and design. I always look forward to working with Nikki and photographing her beautiful work. I’m fortunate to meet and work with a lot of very talented people and Nikki is someone I hold in very high regard. Her team have a genuine passion for heritage architecture. Their designs appear to stem from a rigorous process of research, writing, and collaboration and suggest a commitment to elegantly telling stories and exposing histories.”
Simon Devitt
“I have worked with Nikki over the last 7 years on a number of our restaurant projects. She has been nimble and highly creative in developing a way to communicate our story through in the interiors. She has a great eye, is considered, articulate and able to manage a large number of people from her clients and our staff to contractors and suppliers. Even across remote locations NWS has efficiently delivered beautiful projects on time and in a uniquely calm manner.”
Josh Emett