Day Architects
Lisa Day
Architecture
Spaces for life.
We believe architectural excellence is proven by how profoundly a space supports human wellbeing, not just by the ego of its exterior form. Architecture should act as an intuitive support system where passive environmental design, natural light, and spatial clarity quietly eliminate daily stress and sustain your health.
Who I help
We collaborate with visionary private clients, landowners, and custodians of character properties who are ready to commission a bespoke architectural home, a coastal bach, or a significant heritage restoration. Our clients understand that exceptional architecture is a generational investment that must belong inherently to its landscape and honor the site it occupies.
The problem I solve
The problem so many encounter at this level of building is an architectural disconnect. Traditional statement architecture often prioritizes external spectacle over human solace, leaving you with an imposing house that feels rigid and difficult to inhabit. We solve that by designing homes that breathe. We reduce the daily friction of living, crafting calm, light-filled environments that frame the natural horizon and restore your energy.
My point of difference
What makes our practice distinct is that we lead with quiet restraint and deep listening. I partner with you personally, weaving together over two decades of architectural craft with an intuitive understanding of daily ritual. We balance shelter and openness, using tactile, natural materials that age with grace alongside the landscape rather than competing with it.
My niche market
We collaborate with discerning landowners, professionals, and custodians of character properties across New Zealand who are commissioning a bespoke architectural home, a site-specific coastal bach, or an extensive heritage restoration. Our clients respect architectural provenance and understand that an enduring build must sit in deep harmony with its land and local climate.
Key benefits
You receive a deeply nurturing environment crafted around your emotional wellbeing and daily rhythms. Through the subtle interplay of morning light, tactile natural materials, acoustic stillness, and a balance of openness and enclosure, we shape spaces that ground your mind, restore your energy, and cultivate an abiding sense of belonging.
Problems my clients avoid
Our clients avoid the cold isolation of trophy architecture that values public spectacle over private solace. You avoid living in a rigid, unforgiving house that demands your constant energy to maintain, alongside the emotional exhaustion of working with an architect who imposes a personal aesthetic rather than listening to your unspoken daily needs.
About
Registered Architects. Our goal is to bring bespoke Architecture within reach and make your dream for a unique home a reality. Working closely with you, we design architecture of integrity and homes with soul that are tailored to fit your specific goals
Products and services
We work across a range of project types, but have a passion for designing quality, site-specific architecture for families and communities. We look after our clients from the beginning till the completion of their project. - Residential new builds - Residential alterations - Sustainable Eco Homes - Modular prefabricated homes - Tiny homes - Subdivisions and masterplanning - Terrace housing and apartments - Commercial fitouts - Music studios - Feasibility Studies, Design, Resource Consents, Building Consent, Construction Observation and Administration. We enjoy making life better for people by creating beautiful sustainable spaces to live, work and play in, whilst respecting our natural environment. Our design approach centres on people, because the quality of your living space affects your everyday learning, sharing, health and wellbeing. Our projects have heart and soul, and utilise sustainable design techniques to make the most of light, site, budget and the environment. We believe balance is key to designing beautiful architecture that is responsive to daily life, and that works for you. Because family needs change over time we also look to incorporate future proofing elements and design flexibility into all our designs where possible. This innovative studio has two Auckland studios, One in Parnell, and one in Howick Auckland, and we are currently working on projects throughout the North Island of New Zealand.
Testimonials
We trusted Lisa Day with our dream. She took such good care of it and made it into a reality ... In just a few weeks, our new build will be complete. Its exceeding our expectations. We can see how this home will work so well for us because Lisa listened and understood who we are and how we live. It was a total pleasure from beginning to end... We intend to build another home in the future and will be asking Lisa to work with us as our architect. We can't imagine ever working with anyone else Gregor and Alison Norris-Baber Having been thrilled with the final plans, we can now say the finished result is even better than we had imagined. Our new home has been tastefully modernised without taking away its original character... We thank Lisa for her commitment to us and for an outstanding result. She is not only an expert in her field, but her bubbly personality, creativity and positive outlook throughout the project was much appreciated. We would highly recommend her for any venture. Drs Craig and Lalita Jefferies We have a sizeable home but a small kitchen and dining area so we really needed some architectural help to maximise the space. Lisa came up with some great ideas, took our feedback on board and came up with a plan we think will work really well for our family. Lisa was such a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend her. N&I Wighton Lisa was so friendly yet completely professional and explained the design process and costs involved until I felt at ease moving forward. When I saw her concept plan for my addition I was so impressed - she had really listened to what I wanted and come up with a design so much better than I could have imagined. Lisa is very clever at what she does ... I would recommend Donnell & Day Architecture without any hesitation. A. Rauschenberger Working with Lisa of Donnell & Day Architecture was a pleasure, as was her insight and expertise in creating a vision for a project and translating that into simple terms for her clients. We would have no hesitation in using them for any subsequent projects. S&T Woodard
Qualifications
BArch BAS (hons)Verified
Auckland University, 1997
Registered ArchitectVerified
NZRAB, 1999
An invitation
We invite you to explore our project lookbook on our website, get in touch, and begin a quiet conversation about the life you wish to create.