No. We can help assess whether a site suits your brief, budget and goals before you fully commit. We look at sun, wind, views, privacy, access and ground conditions, all of which affect what can be built and what it will cost. If you already own a site, we’ll analyse its opportunities and constraints as one of our first steps. Whether you’re still searching for your section, or ready to begin designing on land you already own, we’re happy to get involved at any stage of the journey.

The earlier the better. The decisions that have the greatest influence on a project (site selection, orientation, layout, budget) are easiest to get right at the start and can be costly to change later. As soon as you have an idea of what you’d like to achieve, we can help identify what’s feasible, flag opportunities and constraints and help you set a clear direction.

Just yourself and an idea of what you want to achieve. That might be something practical, like the number of bedrooms you need, how you want to use the spaces, or something less defined, like a feeling or atmosphere you are after. Both are useful starting points. Images of things you like (or don’t like) are always helpful, as is an indicative budget or timeframe if you have one. If you don’t have a formal brief yet, don’t worry, helping you develop one is part of what we do.

Every project is different, but the process generally follows the same path. We start by understanding your brief, site and budget, then develop concept designs that explore ideas and possibilities. Once a design direction is confirmed, we refine the design, prepare documentation for consent and construction, assist with builder pricing, and can stay involved throughout the build.

We also coordinate the wider consultation team, engineers, surveyors, planners, so you’re not managing multiple relationships yourself. We oversee the process and help ensure everyone is working towards the same outcome.

A more detailed breakdown is on our Studio page.

Yes, and we take it seriously. Once we understand your budget, we keep it front of mind at every stage of design. We also encourage early input from your builder or quantity surveyor to provide cost feedback as the design develops. Good design isn’t about spending more, it’s about using what’s available wisely.

By understanding what matters most to you. We work with our clients to identity where investment will have the greatest impact, on how the building performs, functions and feels, and make decisions accordingly. Thoughtful planning, efficient layouts and well-chosen materials often deliver more value than simply increasing the budget. Our role is to help you balance aspiration with practicality, and creating a design that responds to both your brief and budget.

Architects and architectural designers use a variety of fee structures, including fixed fees, hourly rates and fees based on a percentage of the construction cost. While percentage based fees remain common within the industry, we generally recommend fixed fees because they give you a clear understanding of costs before any work begins. You know what each stage will cost before you commit to it. This approach requires us to properly understand your project and scope upfront, but we believe that leads to better communication and fewer surprises.

Yes, and we truly enjoy it. Keeping interiors within the architectural process means better integration, more consistent detailing and less duplication of work. We have received multiple design awards for our interior work, and we believe the finished spaces should feel as considered as the architecture itself.

Yes. We have a trusted group of builders we have worked with across multiple projects and are happy to recommend someone who suits both you and your project. If you already have a preferred builder, we’re happy to work alongside them.

Sustainability is not an add-on, it’s part of how we design from the start. Good sustainable design begins with understanding the site: orientation, natural light, passive solar performance, ventilation and thermal comfort. Material selection, durability and reducing construction waste matter too. Every client has different priorities, and we work with you to find the right balance for your project and budget. For us, a sustainable building is one that is warm, efficient, durable and built to last, ensuring they serve their occupants well for many years to come.

It doesn’t have to be. Building is a significant undertaking, the costs are real, the decisions are many, and the process is complex. But with the right team, clear communication and good guidance, it can also be one of the most rewarding things you do. Many of our clients have told us they genuinely enjoyed the process. Several have come back years later to undertake another project. Our role is to keep things clear, manageable and as smooth as possible for you from start to finish.

Every project is different, but as a general guide, the design and consent process typically takes six to twelve months, and construction a further twelve to eighteen months depending on the size and complexity of the project. In total, most new home projects run between eighteen months and two and a half years from first conversation to moving in.

The timeline is influence by a number of factors, how quickly decisions are made, the complexity of the site, council consent processing times, and builder availability. We’ll give you a realistic picture of timing early in the process and keep you informed as the project progresses.

Building consent is the formal approval from your local council to carry out building work. Most new builds, additions and significant alterations require consent before construction can begin. The consent process involves submitting detailed drawings and documentation that demonstrate the proposed work meets the New Zealand Building Code.

We prepare and lodge consent documentation on your behalf and manage the process through to approval. This includes coordinating any additional reports or information the council may request. We know what councils need and how to present it clearly, which helps keep the process moving.

Yes, and it’s work we particularly enjoy. Challenging sites with a steep slope, exposed ridgelines, rocky ground, require careful thinking and genuine design skill. Done well, a difficult site often produces the most interesting architecture.

We have designed a number of hillside and complex sites across the region, including award-winning projects on the Port Hills. If you have a site that others have found difficult, we’d love to take a look.

We are based in Christchurch, but we take on projects nationwide where the fit is right. Past and current projects include work across Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, the West Coast, Kaikoura, Wellington and beyond.

Get in touch and we’ll arrange a free initial conversation. There’s no obligation and no need to have everything figured out beforehand. We’ll talk through your project, your site if you have one and what you’re hoping to achieve. From there we can give you a sense of how we’d approach it and what working with us looks like.

You can reach Don or Andy directly by phone or email.
Don Roy, 021 966 556 – don@sitearchitecture.co.nz
Andy McLeod, 027 251 9235 – andy@sitearchitecture.co.nz