HERE: Tell us a bit about Nightworks and what you do.
Kiri Morgan: Nightworks Studio is a design studio dedicated to creating high-end lighting, designed in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Collectively, we have backgrounds in product, graphic, textile and architectural design. This mix of complementary skills shapes the way we approach each product. We recently moved into our new headquarters – a renovated warehouse in Sydenham – where everything happens under one roof, from design to dispatch.
HERE: What did the space look like before?
KM: The building began as a simple open-plan warehouse, with a small office and amenities block at the front. What caught our eye straight away was the light: the skylights and the large front windows filled the space with natural light.
HERE: What was the big idea for the refit?
KM: We needed a larger space to take on major commissions and bespoke projects, while also giving the team room to grow. The approach was to strip the building back to a bare shell and start again. From there, the whole team contributed to a wish list that informed the design, ensuring the new space met the needs of every part of the business. We embraced the building’s industrial character – using OSB (oriented strand board) for the core structure and scaffolding frames for the benches – then softened it with sheer curtains and whitewashed walls to create a calmer, more balanced space. To complete the refit, we commissioned local street artist Dcypher to transform the façade with a large-scale artwork. It was important to us that the building added curiosity and character to the street, giving the local community something to engage with, rather than simply blending in with the area’s industrial warehouses.
HERE: What do you do there?
KM: Every product is designed in-house, with a collaborative process that brings the whole team into the conversation, from early concepts through to resolving the final details. Each piece of brass lighting is hand-finished by our production team. Alongside our core collection, we also create customised and one-off lighting solutions tailored to specific projects. Because everything happens under one roof – design, prototyping, assembly and finishing – we’re able to maintain uncompromising quality, experiment with new ideas, and work closely with clients to create lighting that’s both functional and distinctive.
HERE: How has it changed the way you work?
KM: With the space designed around our needs, every tool and workstation has its place, reducing clutter, saving time, and creating a safer environment. The layout encourages better communication across the team and supports a more collaborative way of working. It’s also allowed us to refine our processes, with clear workflows that make moving from design to production seamless. The result is a studio where creativity comes first, supported by a system that keeps everything running smoothly in the background.
Nightworks Studio
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