Our Story

Embark on a journey through the origins and evolution of First Principles. From our humble beginnings in 2013 to becoming a cornerstone of architectural design in the Bay of Plenty and beyond, our story is a testament to vision, passion, and perseverance. Founded on the dreams of Graham and Kate Price, we've built more than just structures; we've created a legacy that continues to grow, inspired by our experiences across four countries and our commitment to bespoke, impactful design.

Meet the heart and soul—our people. Here, we're not just colleagues; we're Whanau, a family that works, dreams, and celebrates together. Our team is a tapestry of diverse talents and personalities from around the globe, united by a common passion for architectural excellence. Discover the individuals behind our projects and see how their unique stories, skills, and visions contribute to our collective success and the vibrant culture.

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    Graham Price

    Founding Director

  • Kate Price

    Interiors & Co-Owner

  • Ray Atkins

    Associate

  • Chris Davies

    Senior Architectural Graduate

  • Karima Louw

    Senior Architectural Graduate

  • Brad Percy

    Senior Architectural Graduate

  • Megan Storm

    Architectural Graduate

Founders Story

First Principles Architects & Interiors is grounded on Graham’s personality and approach to people and architecture.

Kate and I were fortunate to arrive in New Zealand with our children, 24 years ago, where we have lived and worked ever since.

I was born and educated in Wales, where I still reflect on my family’s roots. I then graduated to spend and exciting 20 years of my architectural career in Zimbabwe, where I established the Price Ward Wilson Partnership.

I started working as an architect in Auckland and then moved to the Bay of Plenty in 2009, where I now lead my own architectural practice, as the founding Director of FPA - First Principles Architects and Interiors.

Throughout my career, I have designed and led a wide variety of projects in Africa, New Zealand and the Pacific, ranging from leisure resorts and community buildings, to multi-residential projects and  commercial projects / retail centres / schools / medical centres and extensive master planning.

My passion for people, their culture, the natural environment and their influence on the built form provides the foundation for my philosophy on design and architecture.

"I value the quality of time spent with people to develop long lasting relationships, which I believe is the essence of understanding a clients needs and vision.
My interpretation, creativity and appreciation of spatial relationships and materials, together with the project’s financial feasibility and technical aspects of construction; all contribute to the design process and an exceptional outcome for all the stake holders.”