Entries for the 2026 F. Gordon Wilson Fellowship for Affordable Housing are now open.

Click here to download the 2026 Expression of Interest form.

The research Fellowship will be open to architects and design professionals from Aotearoa New Zealand who want to explore how architecture can help address one of today’s most pressing needs: housing.

Now in its fourth year, the Fellowship supports a self-directed design and research project that addresses an issue around affordable housing. Culture, climate change, housing density, models of delivery and all sorts of approaches to unmet housing needs are relevant to the fellowship.

The F. Gordon Wilson Fellowship is a collaboration between Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects and family members of former Government Architect F. Gordon Wilson. The 2026 recipient will be announced in September and will receive $20,000 to aid their research.

Submissions must be received by 12 June 2026.

Key dates

13 April: Expressions of Interest open

12 June: Deadline for submissions

3 July: Shortlist announced

17 July: Shortlist applicants submit responses to further information

11 August: Shortlist applicants present to Jury

8 September: Recipient(s) announced at in:situ 2026 + CAA General Assembly, Auckland

Members of the Jury

Julia Mandell — Jury Chair: AIA; Design Director, Wilson Associates; representative of F. Gordon Wilson’s family

Dr Kay Saville-Smith: Chief Science Advisor for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Research Director, Centre for Research, Evaluation and Social Assessment

Professor Peter McPherson: Head of School, School of Architecture, Te Whare Wānanga o Wairaka Unitec

Marko den Breems: Chief Executive Officer, Isthmus

Brian Donnelly, ONZM: Director; affordable housing specialist

Huia Reriti: Perehitini / President, Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects

James Blackburne: President Elect, Te Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architects