“Can you design something for my budget?”
We value and respect budgets. While there are many factors involved in construction, our creative design can maximise cost effectiveness through practical build processes.
“I have a timeline and need a job done quickly — can you start right away?”
We typically have a few projects on the go when new clients get in touch with us. The complexity of these projects, the natural ebb and flow of design as these plans develop, and the number of new enquiries coming in, all mean that each situation is unique. We can discuss a timeline with you with full transparency about when we can start.
“How much of the design process is done by you?”
How much would you like us to do? We can take care of the whole process from inception to building completion. We liaise with other consultants to achieve the required outcomes when needed — such as structural engineers. In any case, we will guide you through the process to make it as clear and easy as possible. Check out our services page to understand more.
“I want an environmentally friendly house/building”
Words like ‘environmentally friendly” and “sustainability” are multifaceted in architecture and can mean different things to different clients. We can discuss this with you to get on the same page and design something that meets or exceeds the parameters you are looking for. e.g. Do you want to reduce operational carbon emission, construction landfill waste…? You can learn more on our blog here.
How long will it take to design my house?
Architectural design has a lot of moving parts and a number of external factors that we try to mitigate as much as possible, yet can still be outside our control. In general, be prepared for it to take longer than you would expect. Most cases fall in the range of 3-12 months, so get in touch with us as soon as possible in your project.
I have a builder — can you help?
Yes, of course! Builders bring a complementary skillset to the process and we can work with them to ensure we get the best result for you.
I know I want to do a build project but don’t know where to start.
You’ve come to the right place! Think of us a bit like an orchestra conductor, directing the many parts to make a beautiful, complete sound. We can guide you through the whole process, getting the necessary consultants and contractors to do their bit. You don’t need to be an expert. That’s why we’re here!
“What is High performance architecture?”
This term refers to buildings that perform to a much higher standard than the status quo — not merely meeting the minimum building code requirements. Passive House (see below) 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. Check out relevant info on our blog.
“Isn’t architectural design really expensive?”
Considering the design process is a small cost component compared with the construction cost, we’d argue this is good value for money. Our design process is all about providing creative solutions to the problems you’re trying to solve, and doing so can help reduce construction costs!
“What exactly is a ‘Passive House’?”
In a nutshell, a Passive House or passive building uses little or no operational energy to heat and cool the building and keep it around 20°C year round. It does this by being super insulated and airtight — reducing thermal bridges — and uses a continuous mechanical ventilation system to create an excellent internal environment. The energy efficiency can be measured to show that the building performs at the Passive House level. There is complete freedom in design as to what the building looks like. To understand more check out Passive House Institute of New Zealand.
“Do you do commercial builds or residential?”
We are skilled in both and can use our expertise to create imaginative solutions that extend the traditional boundaries of these building types.
I don’t have a builder — can you help?
Yes, totally! We know builders and can get you in touch with them or arrange tendering (see Our Services). Get in touch with us to find out more.
Is Passive House only for new builds?
Not at all. In fact, there’s a Passive House standard called EnerPHit. It’s a method of getting the benefits of Passive House that recognises the challenges of an existing building which was never designed for low-energy. If you are planning on a major renovation, we’d recommend looking into this.