Fineline Architecture's Sharlands House: A Study in Material Honesty
Fineline Architecture, established in 2021 by Magdalena Garbarczyk and Mathew Hay in Aotearoa New Zealand, has been chosen for the 2026 Wallpaper* Architects' Directory. The firm gained recognition for its renovation of Sharlands House in Nelson, where the kitchen, laundry, bathroom, and circulation areas were redesigned to improve movement and increase natural light, utilizing robust solid timber and plywood. Garbarczyk's extensive nine-year background in academic research influences their approach to natural and bio-based materials. Their work is driven by essential questions, leading to the creation of lasting structures. Since its inception in 2000, the Architects' Directory now showcases 30 emerging studios from around the globe. Tianna Williams, a staff writer for Wallpaper, authored the article.
Key facts
- Fineline Architecture founded in 2021 by Magdalena Garbarczyk and Mathew Hay.
- Selected for Wallpaper* Architects' Directory 2026, the 25th edition.
- Sharlands House is a renovation project in Nelson, New Zealand.
- Project includes new kitchen, laundry, bathroom, and circulation spaces.
- Materials used: solid timber, plywood, raw earth, straw.
- Practice philosophy: keep only what's necessary, choose materials that age honestly.
- Garbarczyk spent nine years in academic research.
- Directory includes 30 studios from 27 countries.
- Article by Tianna Williams, Wallpaper's staff writer.
Entities
Artists
- Magdalena Garbarczyk
- Mathew Hay
Institutions
- Fineline Architecture
- Wallpaper*
- Materiem Studio x Studio Indy
Locations
- Aotearoa New Zealand
- Nelson
- New Zealand
- South Island
- Australia
- Bahrain
- Benin
- Brazil
- Canada
- Chile
- China
- Denmark
- Ecuador
- Ghana
- Greece
- France
- Ivory Coast
- Italy
- Japan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- India
- Morocco
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- Spain
- Switzerland
- UK
- USA
- Vietnam