We empower people to live and work in spaces that look amazing, support well-being and invoke joy.
Whatever your budget and goals, we can find creative solutions that will help you get the best out of your building. We offer certified Passive House and high-performance design.
Want in?
Contact us today to tell us about your project and start the process!
beautiful
We love timeless and inspiring architecture
sustainable
We prioritise minimising environmental impact
comfortable
We design healthy spaces for living or working
Reform Architecture
Architectural Designer in Palmerston North, Whanganui-Manawatu
We’re a local Manawatū Architectural Designer that loves to help our clients create their dream projects and bring them to life! We are a husband and wife team based in Palmerston North and can service any region of New Zealand. We love what we do! To find out what motivates us click below.
Passive House and High Performance Architecture
High Performance refers to buildings that perform to a much higher standard than the status quo — not merely meeting the minimum building code requirements. Passive House is one approach to this. Other low-energy buildings can perform similarly to Passive House but have relaxed criteria; they may use more energy to heat and cool, albeit much less than conventional buildings.
A Passive House uses little or no operational energy to heat and cool the building, keeping it about 20°C year round. It must meet certain empirical criteria to obtain 3rd party verification. Only once certified can it be called a Passive House so that you can be sure it really does what it says it does. It can be used for residential and commercial buildings, and for both new construction and alterations.
The benefits include: even and good temperature throughout the building all year round; correct amount of fresh air for human occupation, with reduced CO2 and moisture; reduced exterior noise; improved breathing disorders (eg Asthma) and reduced colds (or the time it takes to recover); reduced operational carbon of the building.
Key features
ORIENTATION & SHADING
The position of the building in relation to the sun combined with the correct amount of shading maximises warmth in winter and reduces summer heat gain.
INSULATION & THERMAL BRIDGES
High quality insulation is optimised by increasing the total area where it can be installed, thus minimising heat loss.
WINDOWS & DOORS
Thermally efficient joinery likewise assists in trapping the heat inside during winter and outside during summer.
AIRTIGHTNESS
Make the most of all the insulation and joinery benefits so that energy isn't wasted on heating and cooling the building.
VENTILATION
The easiest way to achieve fresh air is by a balanced heat-recovery mechanical ventilation system. This ensures a healthy building by removing moisture and contaminants from every room.
Our Services
We do residential & commercial, new & renovations… and we can take you from concept to consent. You can also see your conceptual plans in 3D. Learn more about what we can do for you…
Resources
Free guides and templates to boost you with knowledge and information, ready to take on your project…
Read what inspires us
Dive into our regular blog to get the lowdown on architectural jargon and pioneering developments in design. Here you’ll find insights into what makes us tick. Here’s our latest…
Why choose Reform Architecture? Our values…
Tangata
We build relationship with our clients, taking them right through the process and providing information that empowers them to build something they love. We enjoy opportunities to create architecture that fosters community and supports wellbeing.
Taiao
We seek to minimise the impact of our designs on the planet by prioritising sustainability, leaving a creative legacy in the architectural landscape. Our clients get to be part of this, which is why we love to educate people about design and build processes.
Taonga
You have the opportunity to create something cherished. That’s why we don’t settle for run-of-the-mill, always striving to add value and vibrancy to the community. We want your to feel confident that you’re building something of beauty and integrity that will last many lifetimes.