Architects Pacific was established in Suva in 1971 by Stuart and Gilly Huggett as Architects Pacific Design Partnership (APDP) which was later named as Architects Pacific Ltd. It has spent practically all of its life in a lovely old building close to the centre of Suva.This large and historic timber residence has changed over the years in response to AP’s changing needs and provides an outstanding working environment for our Suva studios. In 2007 we established an Auckland studio in Hobson Street in the heart of the city.The two studios were closely linked electronically and have the same ownership.This tightly knit community benefits greatly in terms of creativity, technical innovation and human resources from its international network. Its early projects were the Forum Secretariat headquarters in Suva and, in association with Belt Collins and Wimberly Whisenand Allison Tong of Honolulu, work at The Fijian Hotel. The Forum Secretariat won a nomination for the Pritzker Prize in architecture.

In the late 70s and 80s the practice expanded to work in other parts of the Pacific and carried out significantly larger and more complex projects. We became strongly identified with an architecture of and for the Pacific Islands - one Prime Minister describing our work as ‘The Pacific Way in Architecture’

A major strength of the practice is the documentation of large and complex projects.The Reserve Bank of Fiji Building, completed in the mid 80s, was then Fiji’s Largest and most complex office building. 

An aspect of our work which derived from our interest in Pacific architecture was the design of ‘Pacific Villages’ at World Expos.This very stimulating aspect of our work resulted in several important commissions. 

Our aim is to create buildings that are comfortable, efficient, cost effective, long lasting and culturally identifiable. We believe that references to ancient knowledge, culture and specialist skills are an integral part of the evolution of modern architecture. 

Our fundamental approach to design has been to involve the client in the design process so that the end result achieves two significant goals: 

• The client has maximum input and interaction with the design process

• The client is conversant with the reasoning behind the design decisions of the project

In recent years we have had increasing interest from overseas clients who wish to draw on our experience in three specific and related areas:

• The need for a design approach which incorporates and reflects the culture and traditions of the population in which the project is located.

• The need to respond sympathetically to the remote sites in a tropical environment whilst using simple building techniques to advantage in innovative ways.

• Our use of technology for speed and accuracy of communication.

Fiji’s special geographic, climatic, and cultural characteristics form a singular and special architectural environment. Until recently the special design problems of the warm, humid tropics have not received the attention they merit from the international architectural profession. 

Over the years Architects Pacific has acquired unique experience in this field. Humid climates, land mass subject to earthquakes and cyclones require careful understanding if buildings are to be safe, comfortable, efficient, cost effective, long lasting and culturally identifiable. 

Not only in the Pacific, but also in our more international projects, we are advocating the involvement of local craftsmen, and hope that in so using their traditional skills, younger generations will be inspired to recognise their value and evolve their craftsmanship. We believe that the pride in ancient knowledge, culture and in their specialist skills are an integral contribution to the evolution of modern architecture. AP provides a full range of architectural services, from master planning to design, documentation and construction supervision.