21 Mar 2025
Urban design is redefining how we live, move, and connect, with projects like Sunfield, Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile, and Kumutoto leading the way in creating sustainable and community-focused spaces.
At Studio Pacific, our urban design philosophy centres on creating environments that are not only functional and sustainable but also foster connection and community. Through thoughtful masterplanning and collaboration with our clients and industry partners, we have contributed to some of New Zealand’s most forward-thinking urban projects. From crafting vibrant waterfront precincts to pioneering sustainable communities, our work reflects a commitment to shaping places where people and nature thrive together.
Below, we take a closer look at three projects that reflect our approach to urban design and how it contributes to shaping the future of our cities.
Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile: A Blueprint for Sustainable Growth
Located at the gateway to Queenstown, the Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Masterplan addresses a critical need for sustainable urban growth in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions. Studio Pacific was part of a wider design consortium who delivered a masterplan and plan change centred on an integrated transport and mixed-use neighbourhood that balances medium and high-density housing sensitively in the surrounding natural landscape.
The plan incorporates housing, public transport, walking and cycling networks, and community amenities in a way that prioritises walkability and reduces reliance on private vehicles. Extensive green spaces, active transport options, and resilient infrastructure are central to the design, creating a framework for a community that aligns with environmental and social sustainability goals.
Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile is an example of Studio Pacific’s ability to deliver innovative urban solutions that respond to the challenges of today while anticipating the needs of tomorrow.
Sunfield: Reimagining the Future of Living
The planned Sunfield development in Papakura is a visionary project by Winton redefining how communities can be shaped. As one of the first large-scale car-less neighbourhoods proposed in New Zealand, Sunfield puts sustainability, accessibility, and affordability at its core.
Studio Pacific worked collaboratively to create a design that has an abundance of quiet car free laneways, promotes active transport, shared electric vehicles, and integrated public transport solutions. The masterplan incorporates a mix of housing types alongside significant public green spaces, community facilities, and commercial and employment areas, fostering a vibrant and inclusive neighbourhood.
Sunfield is more than just a development—it’s a model for how urban design can drive significant environmental and social change. By minimising transport emissions, enhancing community interaction, and prioritising liveability, Sunfield promotes the potential of a 15-minute neighbourhood as a scalable solution for modern cities.
Kumutoto Precinct: Revitalising Wellington’s Waterfront
The Kumutoto Precinct, designed in association with Isthmus, exemplifies Studio Pacific’s skill in blending heritage, community, and sustainability in urban design. Located along Wellington’s waterfront, the precinct reclaims and reimagines a former industrial area as a vibrant public space that prioritises pedestrian access and ecological restoration.
Key design elements include thoughtfully landscaped public spaces, integrated stormwater management systems, and carefully designed connections between the waterfront and the city. The project enhances Wellington’s urban fabric, providing both residents and visitors with a space that encourages interaction with the harbour while celebrating the area’s rich history. The site features New Zealand’s first NZGBC 5 star GreenStar and 5.5 star NABERSNZ commercial building, also designed by Studio Pacific.
Leading the Conversation on Sustainable Urban Design
Studio Pacific approaches urban design as an opportunity to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our cities—climate change, housing affordability, and equitable access to resources.
Through projects like Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile, Sunfield, and Kumutoto, we showcase how innovative design can lead to meaningful change.
Our commitment to sustainability extends beyond our projects. As thought-leaders in urban design, we actively engage in discussions around:
+ The transition to higher density models of living with less reliance on private motor vehicles.
+ Integrating green infrastructure for climate resilience and biodiversity.
+ Designing for health and wellbeing, community connection, and low-carbon urban design.
We believe urban design should be about more than solving today’s problems—it should anticipate future needs and create environments that adapt and endure.
Shaping the Future of Urban Spaces
We are proud to contribute to Aotearoa’s urban evolution through projects that prioritise people, planet, and place. By reimagining what our cities and communities can be, we continue to shape spaces that are as inspiring as they are functional.
To learn more about our work or discuss your next urban design project, contact us today.
Located at the gateway to Queenstown, the Te Pūtahi Ladies Mile Masterplan addresses a critical need for sustainable urban growth in one of New Zealand’s fastest-growing regions.
As one of the first large-scale car-less neighbourhoods proposed in New Zealand, Sunfield puts sustainability, accessibility, and affordability at its core.
By minimising transport emissions, enhancing community interaction, and prioritising liveability, Sunfield promotes the potential of a 15-minute neighbourhood as a scalable solution for modern cities.
Located along Wellington’s waterfront, Kumutoto Precinct reclaims and reimagines a former industrial area as a vibrant public space that prioritises pedestrian access and ecological restoration.