We manage the project from the initial site assessment through to final council approval and construction.

Feasibility & Briefing

We review your functional requirements, budget, and site constraints.

This phase establishes the feasibility of the project and outlines the local zoning and compliance parameters we need to work within.

Concept Design

We work with you to develop the initial floor plan and building footprint.

As part of the concept design process, we will discuss:

• your specific design requirements

• optimal spacial sizing

• window openings & views

• claddings

• building style

Developed Design

Once the layout is approved, we refine the architectural form. This stage involves finalising exterior materials, adding further details to plans, and engaging required contractors (e.g. Structural Engineers, Geo-technical Engineers, etc).

Construction Documentation & Consents

We will then produce the working drawings and technical specifications required by builders for accurate pricing. We handle the lodging of your Resource Consent (if required), and Building Consent application.

Once your building consent is lodged, we will remain available to answer any further questions from you, the Council, and your build team.

Construction Observation

During the build phase, we can provide on-site monitoring and inspections where required.

Initial Site Assessment & Feasibility

We begin by reviewing existing building information, and work with you to define your requirements, budget, and timeline.

Not all alterations require Building Consent. Our team will decipher whether your project will require an exemption, resource consent, and/or building consent.

Concept Design

Our team will present you with concepts, test different layout variations, and refine the design based on your feedback.

Working within an existing footprint comes with its own unique challenges (such as existing structural constraints). We’ll discuss these complexities with you and your builder, so you can make informed decisions at each stage.

Detailed Documentation & Compliance

With the concept locked in, we move into technical drafting. We produce the architectural drawings and specifications required for local council approvals and accurate builder pricing.

We will prepare the complete documentation package, coordinate with consultants such as structural or services engineers, and manage the building consent (or exemption) process.

We are proudly based in Christchurch, but we design homes and manage projects throughout New Zealand.

Every region has its own District Plan and our team has experience navigating local regulations and regularly lodges building consents and resource consents with the following councils:

• Auckland Council

• Christchurch City Council

• Selwyn District Council

• Waimakiriri District Council

• Hurunui District Council

• Dunedin City Council

• Queenstown Lakes District Council

The timeline depends heavily on council workloads.

New Zealand councils have a legal requirement to process consents within 20 working days.

If the council requires technical clarification, they will issue a Request for Information (RFI). This pauses the 20-day processing clock until your design team submits an answer.

This process applies to both Resource Consents and Building Consents separately.

Resource Consent

A Resource Consent focuses on how your project affects the surrounding environment.

You generally need a Resource Consent if your design infringes on the basic planning rules for your zone.

Common examples: Building too close to a boundary fence, exceeding the allowable height limit for your area, or covering too much of your section with hard surfaces (site coverage).

Building Consent

A Building Consent focuses on how the project complies with the Building Code.

Building Consents are typically triggered where the scope of work includes major structural alterations or adjustments to the exterior building envelope.

Common examples: New builds, adding an extension, knocking down an internal load-bearing wall, or building a retaining wall over a certain height.

Exemptions

Some minor residential work is exempt from needing a formal Building Consent.

Common examples: Removing non-load bearing walls replacing existing windows, cladding or roofing like-for-like, re-configuring bathroom layouts.

Unsure where your project sits?

During an initial consultation, we can look at your property data and determine which compliance pathway your project is likely to require.

An LBP is a building professional who has been assessed by MBIE as competent to carry out or supervise Restricted Building Work (RBW).

RBW includes any design or construction work that is critical to a residential building’s structural integrity or weather-tightness.

Under New Zealand law, local councils will not grant a building consent unless an appropriately licensed LBP signs off on these critical components.

LBP Design License Levels

The Design class is divided into three distinct levels based on the architectural complexity, risk profile, and height of the building:

• Design 1 (Category 1 Buildings): Applies to simple, single household dwellings with low-to-medium risk profiles (specifically an E2/AS1 building envelope risk matrix score of 12 or less).

• Design 2 (Category 2 Buildings): Applies to single household dwellings with high-risk profiles (risk matrix score greater than 12) or multi-unit residential developments under 10 meters in height.

• Design 3 (Category 3 Buildings): Applies to complex, multi-unit residential buildings 10 meters or taller, as well as buildings that contain non-residential (commercial) spaces.

The more information you provide, the more accurate the final result will be.

We can work with :

• DWGs or PDFs of architectural plans. Floor plans and elevations are required at a minimum

• Design specifications (claddings, colours, fixtures, & finishes)

• Kitchen plans

• Landscaping plans

We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide an estimate for your project.

To protect our clients' privacy, our portfolio is available by request only.

Please contact us at info@WArchitecture.co.nz with an outline of your project to receive access to our password-protected portfolio.

Send us an email outlining your project and we’ll be in touch to discuss your goals and how we can help.

info@WArchitecture.co.nz