After an initial meeting—either on-site or at our office—to discuss your project brief, we will gather essential information, including the certificate of title, drainage plans, zoning details, and town planning data. At this stage, we typically obtain the property file from the council to review any existing information available. If needed, we can arrange for a site survey to precisely define contours, boundaries, services, and existing landscaping. A geotechnical report is often commissioned to address any site-specific considerations like land stability, bearing capacity, and water flow. Our team will also conduct a comprehensive site measure to confirm the layout and location of existing buildings. Using this information, we’ll create an accurate ‘as built’ set of architectural drawings, documenting the current conditions of both the building and site.

Once the project parameters are defined, your designer will explore bulk and location options to shape the building’s form. This phase considers site conditions, project scope, budget, and your unique requirements. During concept development, your designer may present alternative ideas to best leverage the site and improve design efficiency. Stay open-minded and communicate clearly about your preferences, revisiting your brief to ensure each concept aligns with your project goals. Through concept design, we identify constraints and opportunities, as well as determine if Resource Consent is necessary. This process provides tailored solutions to your brief, presented through architectural drawings, sketches, or digital renderings.

A resource consent is required when a planned activity may impact the environment or isn’t automatically permitted under the district or regional plan. This includes activities like constructing a new building, changing property use, or building in a coastal or heritage zone. Resource consents ensure that development and land use are sustainable and considerate of environmental and community health, safety, and well-being. They also help manage and mitigate potential adverse effects on the environment and neighbouring properties. By obtaining resource consent, you demonstrate that the environmental and community impacts of your project have been thoughtfully addressed and minimised.

Once a concept is agreed upon, your designer will test ideas, refine details, and shape the final design. Developed design is a crucial phase—your last opportunity to finalise the project’s scope before construction documentation begins. If you have additional requirements, now is the time to discuss them. During developed design, your budget comes into focus, and engaging a quantity surveyor for a preliminary cost estimate may be beneficial. If you have a preferred builder, they may also provide advice on costs. Although estimating final building costs is challenging, your designer and collaborating specialists are trained to identify potential expenses and form estimates based on their expertise. Throughout this stage, we work closely with other consultants to ensure all information is coordinated and meets the building code.