Our Process Timeline

Predesign Keywords: Architectural site survey. Geotechnical analysis. Contour mapping. Ultra modern house floor plans. Boundary identification. Property information file. Certificate of title review. Site condition assessment. Land stability check. Drainage plan analysis. Modern home plans NZ. Preliminary site inspection. Zoning and planning guidelines. Architectural designs for homes. Site contour survey. Detailed site measurements. Structural survey.

1. Predesign

After an initial meeting—either on-site or at our office—to discuss your project brief, our designer will gather essential information, including the certificate of title, drainage plans, zoning details, and town planning data. At this stage, we typically obtai..
Predesign Keywords: Architectural site survey. Geotechnical analysis. Contour mapping. Ultra modern house floor plans. Boundary identification. Property information file. Certificate of title review. Site condition assessment. Land stability check. Drainage plan analysis. Modern home plans NZ. Preliminary site inspection. Zoning and planning guidelines. Architectural designs for homes. Site contour survey. Detailed site measurements. Structural survey.
Concept Design Keywords: Design concepts. Architectural floor plans. Floor plan sketches. Ultra modern house design. Building shape options. House floor plans NZ. Project budget planning. 3D renderings. Conceptual site layout. Minimalist house design. Resource consent evaluation. House design NZ. Structural feasibility. Modern architectural designs. Visual design concepts. Client design brief. Site opportunities and constraints.

2. Concept Design

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 requ..
Concept Design Keywords: Design concepts. Architectural floor plans. Floor plan sketches. Ultra modern house design. Building shape options. House floor plans NZ. Project budget planning. 3D renderings. Conceptual site layout. Minimalist house design. Resource consent evaluation. House design NZ. Structural feasibility. Modern architectural designs. Visual design concepts. Client design brief. Site opportunities and constraints.
Resource Consent Keywords: Environmental impact assessment. District plan compliance. Resource consent planning. Building consent application. Modern house plans NZ. Neighbour consultation. Resource management compliance. Local government regulations. Sustainable land use. Contemporary home design. Council application process. Environmental protection measures. Impact on natural resources. Project approval process. Consent for building modifications. Site-specific environmental review. Compliance with zoning laws.

3. Resource Consent

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, chang...
Resource Consent Keywords: Environmental impact assessment. District plan compliance. Resource consent planning. Building consent application. Modern house plans NZ. Neighbour consultation. Resource management compliance. Local government regulations. Sustainable land use. Contemporary home design. Council application process. Environmental protection measures. Impact on natural resources. Project approval process. Consent for building modifications. Site-specific environmental review. Compliance with zoning laws.
Developed Design Keywords: Detailed design refinement. Building code compliance. Developed design NZ. Preliminary cost estimate. Design specification review. Final design adjustments. Consultant collaboration. Structural system details. Client design revisions. Design and cost evaluation. Minimalist house plans. Construction feasibility study. Spatial layout finalisation. Architectural detailing. Modern home floor plans. Coordination with specialists. Design development phase.

4. Developed Design

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 cons...
Developed Design Keywords: Detailed design refinement. Building code compliance. Developed design NZ. Preliminary cost estimate. Design specification review. Final design adjustments. Consultant collaboration. Structural system details. Client design revisions. Design and cost evaluation. Minimalist house plans. Construction feasibility study. Spatial layout finalisation. Architectural detailing. Modern home floor plans. Coordination with specialists. Design development phase.
Construction Documentation Keywords: Construction documentation NZ. Detailed construction drawings. Material specifications. Working drawings NZ. Building consent application. Council submission process. Compliance with building code. Modern house design plans. Finalised construction plans. Architectural plans for council. Technical design details. Project documentation NZ. Local authority approval. Engineering details for construction. Construction plans NZ.

5. Contruction Documentation

Once resource consent and/or the developed design is approved, your project advances to the detailed design phase. At this stage, your designer will refine the design to a level of detail that enables a constr...
Construction Documentation Keywords: Construction documentation NZ. Detailed construction drawings. Material specifications. Working drawings NZ. Building consent application. Council submission process. Compliance with building code. Modern house design plans. Finalised construction plans. Architectural plans for council. Technical design details. Project documentation NZ. Local authority approval. Engineering details for construction. Construction plans NZ.

Council Processing

The council consent process involves several stages, each varying in duration based on the specifics of the project. From the initial consultation, every project may go through multiple changes and adjustments before reaching completion. Below is an infographic that outlines the full process.

1. Predesign

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.

2. Concept Design

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.

3. Resource Consent

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.

4. Developed Design

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.

5. Construction Documentation

Once resource consent and/or the developed design is approved, your project advances to the detailed design phase. At this stage, your designer will refine the design to a level of detail that enables a construction contractor to evaluate the full project scope. This includes specifying construction details, materials, components, systems, and finishes. These documents, together with reports from other specialist consultants, form the comprehensive working drawings. This documentation package is then submitted to the local territorial authority, where it will be assessed for compliance with the building code before a building consent is granted.

Because your designer is at the heart of your building project, they are well-placed to understand the necessary codes and standards and can communicate the specifics of your project to the Building Consent Authority. With a strong grasp of the construction industry, your designer is a valuable resource, able to guide you in choosing reliable builders and contractors to bring your vision to life.