Rafe Maclean Architects is a Wanaka based architectural practice dedicated to producing elegantly crafted building solutions through innovative use of interesting materials.
Rafe Maclean (BArch (hons), BBSc) graduated from Victoria University of Wellington in 1996 with first class honours in Architecture. Following graduation, Rafe worked with John Daish Architects, Herriot & Melhuish
Architecture and New Work Studio before establishing Rafe Maclean Architects in February 2005.
Rafe Maclean is a Registered Architect and architect member of the New Zealand Institute of Architects, and is a Certified Passive House Designer, certified by Passivhaus Institut, Darmstadt, Germany.
Current staff include Amanda Snow, Libby Morgan, Cecile Bernicot & Sarah Wild.
The work and ideas the practice is producing are playful and visually legible, with detailing that is sensual, sustainable and well crafted.
Rafe Maclean Architects is focused on residential and small commercial projects. Our office is intentionally small enabling us to produce very high quality project outcomes, with a high level of interaction with the design team and clients. This allows us to perform a select number of projects per year, dependent on project size.
We look forward to discussing your project with you.
Awards for Completed Work
2019
NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award, Southern Architecture Award; for Te Kea Hut, Wanaka.
Category: Small Project Award. Also, recipient to a Resene Colour Award.
NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award, Southern Architecture Award; for Kowhai House (Certified
Passive House), Dunedin. Category: Housing. Also, recipient to a Resene Colour Award.
South Pacific Passive House: Architectural Merits Award; for Kowhai House
2017
NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award, Southern Architecture Award; for Gardner House, Wanaka.
Category: Housing
South Pacific Passive House: Architectural Merits Award; for George House
2016
NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award, Southern Architecture Award; for George House (Certified
Passive House), Wanaka. Category: Housing
2013
NZIA New Zealand Architecture Award, Southern Architecture Award; for Acland House, Wanaka.
Category: Sustainable Architecture
New Zealand Commercial Projects Award, Gold Award Winner; for Rippon Hall, Lake Wanaka,
Category: Tourism and Leisure
New Zealand Commercial Projects Award, National Category Winner, for Rippon Hall, Lake Wanaka,
2012
NZ Wood Resene Timber Awards – Finalist Commercial & Innovation categories – for Rippon Hall,
Wanaka_ Rafe Maclean Architects
2011
NZIA Southern Architecture Award for Wilson House, Wanaka_Rafe Maclean Architects
2010
NZIA Southern Architecture Award for Waite House, Wanaka_Rafe Maclean Architects
2006
NZIA New Zealand Award for Ian Louise House, Wellington_Rafe Maclean Architects
Supreme Award Winner, Origin Timber Awards 2006, Commercial/Public Building – Architectural
Excellence, DAC Law Building, Hawkes Bay_collaboration with Kebbell Daish Wellington
First Place, Wellington Architectural Centre 20 under 40 design competition
2005
NZIA Local Architecture Award for Ian Louise House, Wellington_Rafe Maclean Architects
2004
NZIA Local Architecture Award for Chow Canopy, Wellington_Herriot & Melhuish Architecture
2002
NZIA Local Architecture Award for Northland Houses, Wellington_Herriot & Melhuish Architecture
NZIA Local Architecture Award, NZIA New Zealand Award, Lower Shotover Road House,
Queenstown_New Work Studio
2001
NZIA Local Architecture Award for Tyson House, Wellington_New Work Studio
1998
Finalist NZIA Architectural Awards, Brown House, Waikanae_John Daish Architects
1997
Carter Holt Harvey National Architect Graduate Award
1995
National Firth Masonry Villa Design Competition – Creative Award