10 Nov 2026
Studio Pacific has been given top honours at the 2026 New Zealand Architecture Awards, with Air New Zealand's Hangar 4 receiving the Sir Miles Warren Award for Commercial Architecture, the highest distinction in the Commercial Architecture category
Hangar 4 also received a national Commercial Architecture Award, recognising its ambitious approach to sustainable aviation infrastructure.
Designed by Studio Pacific for Air New Zealand, the 15,000m² facility at Auckland Airport features a remarkable 98-metre clear-span timber structure, showcasing the potential of engineered timber at a scale rarely seen in commercial architecture.
The national jury praised Hangar 4 for showing "what is possible when architectural vision and engineering ingenuity align."
“Arched timber trusses span the vast maintenance space, while a translucent ETFE roof fills it with daylight. The result is a striking, comfortable and safe workplace that shows the potential of low-carbon materials at infrastructure scale.
"Sustainability guided the 6-Star Green Star design from the outset. The lightweight timber structure allowed parts of the existing runway slab to remain, reducing the amount of new concrete, embodied carbon and construction impacts.
"The roof brings in natural light and retains warmth, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and removing the need for additional heating. Prefabrication reduced construction time and improved safety in a working airport environment. Careful planning also helped divert 93 per cent of construction waste from landfill.”
The recognition is particularly meaningful, following Studio Pacific’s receipt of the Sir Miles Warren Award for Commercial Architecture in 2020 for Nelson Airport Terminal. Both projects demonstrate how innovative design be balanced with the demanding operational requirements of aviation infrastructure and environmental sustainability, while creating high-quality spaces that enhance the experience of the people who use them.
We extend our congratulations and thanks to Air New Zealand and our project partners, whose collaboration helped bring Hangar 4 to life.
Project Partners: Holmes Group, Dunning Thornton, AECOM, GHD, TSA, BBD, ECubed, AES, Ergo, NZ Strong, Vector Foiltec, XLAM
Celebrating heritage excellence at Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui
We also congratulate Athfield Architects and Tihei on receiving a New Zealand Architecture Award in the Heritage category for Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui, Wellington's renewed Central Library.
Studio Pacific's Lianne Cox and Max Wiles provided specialist heritage input to the project, contributing to the careful consideration of the building's architectural heritage as part of its renewal. We're pleased to have played a supporting role in this significant civic project and to see the wider team's work recognised nationally.
Air New Zealand Hangar 4
Te Matapihi ki te Ao Nui