An apartment in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is aglow with custom lighting curated by Rogan Nash Architects.
Some very deep thinking went into illuminating this apartment in the city centre of Auckland. There were the constraints of the 1980s building to consider, as well as where the owners’ extensive art collection would hang. Then there was the clients’ British heritage, their love of Art Deco, and the 1940s, and the vibe they wanted for both quiet nights at home and large parties.
The founders of Rogan Nash Architects say it was a pleasure to think so hard about something often taken for granted. “We took great joy in selecting lights that had character,” says Eva Nash. “The atmosphere was something we really considered. We wanted to make it joyful, play around with it.”
“The lighting became a major part of setting the scene in the apartment, so there needed to be singular lighting events,” adds Kate Rogan. “The details can change the entire vibe; lighting really changes the feeling. We wanted a bit of 1940s glamour, with a really cool effect.”
To achieve the architects’ lofty lighting goals, custom-made pieces were commissioned for the Queen Street apartment. In the entryway, bronze, frosted decorative lights illuminate when anyone calls the lift. In the living area, a sculptural wall sconce, folded like sheets of delicate paper, is a central beacon, sending out soft light. It was commissioned by a lighting company in Melbourne, with the help of local experts, Inlite. “The light fitting creates a real moment; it’s a beautiful piece on the wall, a totem to the bar,” says Eva.
Pendant lights from Powersurge hang above the kitchen benches, providing uplighting and downlighting that can either create a mood in the room when entertaining or illuminate the workspace when cooking.
In the dining nook, a large pendant mirrors the round vintage dining table below and an Australian artwork with circular motifs on the wall.
Working with the art was a theme in every room of the house; in the hallway, art lighting from ECC was wall-mounted and positioned specifically for particular artworks. It is so well-considered that it can be swapped out for larger fittings if the art on display is changed in the future.
Working with an existing building’s quirks, as well as a body corporate, meant there could be no downlights in the house; instead, the architects had to use surface-mounted fittings. In the living areas and bedrooms, lamps and wall-mounted lights cast a warm glow; the walk-in wardrobe is lit with recessed LEDs, as are the cabinets and vanities in the bathrooms.
A Tom Dixon pendant hangs above the bath for optimal relaxation — and reading — light. “These touches feel of another time, but tie together, work together,” says Kate. The result is stylish, expertly executed, and enduring.
Words: Kirsten Matthew
Images: Simon Wilson
Judges’ citation
An Auckland apartment has been transformed with a scheme that is both technically adept and atmospherically rich. Their success lies in creating distinctive moments of light — custom bronze entry fixtures, a sculptural wall sconce, and pendants that balance function with form — while cleverly overcoming building constraints through surface-mounted and wall-mounted solutions. Artworks are sensitively lit with adaptable fittings, and recessed LEDs bring refinement to wardrobes, cabinetry, and vanities, complemented by a striking Tom Dixon pendant above the bath. The result is a cohesive and inventive design that elevates everyday living with warmth, precision, and sophistication.
