Architectural services for your home, tiny house or commercial space

Every project begins with an obligation-free meeting to talk through your vision, goals, sustainability priorities and budget. We then apply our minimal ethos to your home, tiny house or commercial space, working with you to identify the right approach and services.

We offer a full suite of architectural and interior design services, with advice and support at every stage, from pricing and building consent through construction to the day you move in. Every service can be tailored to your project.

The Minimal Design ethos

GLOBAL

Seek global inspiration not materials, minimising international demand and the environmental cost of shipping.

NATIONAL

Minimise impact on our unique environment and limited natural resources.

Efficiently maximise the use of accessible, quality materials and local people.

LOCAL

STREET

Maximise the lifespan of our design, aesthetically and functionally.

HOME

Maximise value with warm, dry, comfortable and beautiful spaces.

HUMAN

Minimise your footprint and cost of living for years to come.

Pre-design

Pre-design builds on our first meeting. We get to know you, your vision, and the requirements and regulations that apply to your site.

We visit the site and record its features, challenges and opportunities, including existing structures, landform and natural qualities. At this stage you’ll need a land survey, which forms the base for the design.

Concept and schematic design

We turn everything gathered in pre-design into initial concepts. Diagrams and sketches explore how spaces relate to each other, to the site and to the surrounding environment, with careful attention to sun path, slope, wind and outlook.

Open communication is key as the design evolves. Once you’re happy with the plan, we move into design development.

See your project before it’s built

Photo-realistic 3D visuals, animations and virtual tours let you explore spaces, materials and finishes long before construction begins. They make decisions easier, reduce surprises on site, and help ensure the finished building matches your vision.

Developed design

The design is refined and becomes the foundation for detailed working drawings, with a focus on exterior materials and finishes. We’ll help you select the consultants needed for the technical drawings, such as structural engineers.

We recommend involving a builder early. This stage is ideal, because their experience and early pricing can help shape the design. We’re happy to help with that relationship.

Building consent: before you apply

Most new homes, extensions and alterations need a building consent. We prepare everything council needs to assess your project, which typically includes:

Architectural drawings: floor plans, elevations, sections, plumbing and electrical layouts, and construction details showing how the building meets the Building Code
Structural drawings and calculations: foundations, beams, bracing and connections
Specification: written detail for each trade that’s too specific to show on the drawings
Energy efficiency calculations: showing how the building performs on heat loss
Supporting documents: geotechnical reports, producer statements, design certificates, and the application form and checklist

Building consent: after you apply

Complete, detailed documentation is the best way to keep the process moving. We handle any requests for further information from council on your behalf. Once your project is approved, council issues the consent documents, including the inspections required at each stage of construction. A copy must be kept on site throughout the build.

Projects that don’t need a building consent

Some building work is exempt under Schedule 1 of the Building Act, including many repairs and maintenance, minor alterations and some small structures such as carports. Exempt work must still comply with the Building Code.

Granny flats. From 15 January 2026, new, single-storey standalone dwellings up to 70m² no longer need a building consent, provided they meet certain criteria. To qualify, the design must fully meet the New Zealand Building Code, use lightweight construction materials and be carried out or supervised by Licensed Building Practitioners.

Exempt doesn’t mean unregulated. You’ll still need to notify council before you start (through the PIM process) and again when the build is finished, planning rules may still apply depending on your site, and development contributions may still be charged. Councils generally don’t inspect or approve exempt granny flat builds, so responsibility for compliance sits with the homeowner and the professionals they engage.

We can check whether your project qualifies, design it to meet every exemption condition, and prepare the documentation council needs.

Construction: tender

If you haven’t chosen a builder yet, now is the time to request pricing from one or more builders. We’ll answer their questions and provide any additional information they need to price accurately.

Construction: administration

Staying involved during construction helps ensure the design is built as intended. We can attend regular site meetings with your builder and issue site observation reports, so you can stay informed and track progress.

Interior design

Interior planning starts early, in the concept and schematic design phase. We discuss how each space will be used, who will use it, and what furniture and equipment it needs. We then develop space plans and furniture layouts that consider circulation and clearances. Sketches and 3D schemes, with initial furniture and finish ideas, are presented for your feedback and refined with you.