Choosing from the best architectural designers in Auckland comes down to finding a practice that can read your site, resolve the layout you actually want, and carry the drawings all the way through council. The studios below work across new homes, alterations, recladding, extensions and multi-unit development in Auckland, handling concept design, documentation and building and resource consent lodgement. Gubb Design and CBA Design are among the long-established names on the list.
1Gubb Design
Gubb Design is a residential architectural design studio working on new homes, renovations, recladding projects and residential developments throughout Auckland and New Zealand. The team has been designing homes for more than 20 years, working with homeowners, builders and developers on everything from family homes and additions through to duplexes and terraced housing. It suits owners dealing with tight access, sloping ground, neighbouring constraints or complex council requirements that need working through early.
Services
- New house design
- House alterations and additions
- Recladding and weathertightness work
- Terraced and higher density housing design
- Building and resource consent preparation and lodgement
Highlights
- Long-standing professional member of Architectural Designers New Zealand
- Several Design Licensed Building Practitioners on staff
- More than 20 years designing homes across Auckland
- Accessible and aged care home design run as a dedicated service line
- Free initial feasibility report on a property or section
Location & Contact
Name: Gubb Design
Address: Henderson, Auckland
Phone: 09 833 3252
Website: gubbdesign.co.nz
2CBA Design Ltd
CBA Design is an Onehunga based architectural design and drafting practice established in 2003, covering residential, commercial and multi-unit development projects across Auckland. The team works end to end, from initial concepts and 3D designs through to documentation and consent management. It suits owners and developers who want zoning and Unitary Plan advice built into the design stage rather than bolted on afterwards.
Services
- New home plans
- Alterations, renovations and home extensions
- Property development and subdivision design
- Building and resource consent lodgement
Highlights
- Established in 2003, with over two decades of Auckland design and drafting work
- Licensed Building Practitioner qualified
- Unitary Plan zoning and development pathway advice offered as standard
- Develops its own CADPax drafting software and Vectorworks plugins
Location & Contact
Name: CBA Design Ltd
Address: 18 Waller Street, Onehunga, Auckland 1061
Phone: 09 622 0282
Website: cba-design.co.nz
3Measure and Draw
Measure and Draw is a Mount Eden architectural design and draughting practice established in 2006, now focused on full resource and building consent design for the Auckland market. Most projects begin with on site laser measuring to produce accurate as built plans, which then form the base for the renovation or extension design. It suits owners of existing homes, particularly in character and heritage areas where planning rules come into play.
Services
- As built plans from on site laser measurement
- Residential alterations, extensions and additions
- New residential build design
- Retail and commercial consent documentation
- Resource and building consent preparation with council liaison
Highlights
- Established in 2006 as a technical draughting firm
- Every building consent peer reviewed in house by their Licensed Building Practitioners
- Regular work in the Herne Bay, Ponsonby, Parnell and Mount Eden character and heritage zones
- Produces as built architectural plans for other Auckland architecture practices
- Fixed price quotes, preliminary estimates of council costs and free in office concept meetings
Location & Contact
Name: Measure and Draw
Address: 72 Dominion Rd, Mount Eden, Auckland 1024
Phone: 09 377 7045
Website: measureanddraw.co.nz
4Dimension Design
Dimension Design is a Titirangi architectural design practice that has operated for 30 years under principal designer Barry Northcott. It specialises in new home design, in particular solid masonry construction, alongside a steady volume of residential alterations and extensions. It suits owners who want a small practice with direct principal involvement and established links to engineers, builders and surveyors.
Services
- New home design, including solid masonry villas
- Alterations and additions
- Recladding and weathertight solutions
- 3D modelling
- Resource consents and compliance documentation
Highlights
- Operating as an architectural design practice for 30 years
- Specialist experience in solid masonry construction
- Handles Certificates of Acceptance and Certificates of Compliance on existing work
- Designed a combined privately owned, public use indoor sports facility with the council and a local community trust
Location & Contact
Name: Dimension Design
Address: 143 Konini Road, Titirangi, Auckland
Phone: 09 817 4268
Website: dimensiondesignarchitecture.co.nz
5Mako Architecture
Mako Architecture is a Takapuna based architectural design studio working on bespoke homes and renovations, alongside commercial, industrial and fit-out projects across Auckland. The studio states plainly on its own site that it operates as an architectural design firm rather than holding the registered architect title, and provides design, documentation and consent support across that full range. It suits North Shore owners and anyone wanting one team from the first consultation through to construction.
Services
- Bespoke new build design
- Home renovations, alterations and extensions
- Architectural draughting and consent ready floor plans
- Commercial, industrial and fit-out design
Highlights
- Five stage process running from design consultation and concept through documentation, consent support and project delivery
- Remedial design work bringing existing buildings up to current safety and compliance standards
- Designs prefabricated and relocatable homes for assembly at sites throughout New Zealand
Location & Contact
Name: Mako Architecture
Address: 187A Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland 0622
Phone: 021 166 9205
Website: makoarchitecture.co.nz
How to Choose the Right Architectural Designer in Auckland
- Check that a Design Licensed Building Practitioner is involved, because consent documentation for restricted building work must be prepared or supervised by one.
- Match the practice to your project type. A studio that mostly draws renovations is a different proposition from one that does multi-unit development, and both are valid depending on what you are building.
- Ask how they handle Auckland Unitary Plan constraints such as height in relation to boundary, site coverage, yard setbacks and flood or slope overlays, and whether that assessment happens before concept design.
- Confirm how far their service extends. Some practices stop at consent issue, others stay involved through tendering and construction, and the difference shows up in your budget.
- Ask what the fee covers and what sits outside it. Engineering, surveying, planning and geotechnical input are usually separate, so get an estimate of those and of council fees up front.
Frequently Asked Questions About Auckland Architectural Designers
What is the difference between an architectural designer and an architect?
Architect is a protected title in New Zealand. Only someone registered with the New Zealand Registered Architects Board may use it, and the board maintains the public register at nzrab.nz. An architectural designer is not registered under that scheme but can carry out the same design, documentation and consent work, usually as a Design Licensed Building Practitioner and often as a member of Architectural Designers New Zealand. For most houses, renovations and small developments, either can take the project from brief to consent.
Do I need a Licensed Building Practitioner to design my house?
Design work on a home counts as restricted building work, so the plans and specifications must be prepared or reviewed by a Design Licensed Building Practitioner. You can check whether a designer holds a current licence, and what class it covers, on the official register at lbp.govt.nz. Several of the practices above have Design LBPs on staff.
How much does an architectural designer cost in Auckland?
Fees vary too much by project to quote a reliable figure, and most Auckland practices price on the scope rather than a fixed rate card. Some charge a percentage of construction cost, others a fixed fee by stage, and some offer a fixed price from concept to consent. Ask for the fee to be broken down by stage, and ask separately for an estimate of council fees and any engineering or surveying input.
How long does a building consent take in Auckland?
Auckland Council has 20 working days to process a building consent application under the Building Act. That clock pauses whenever the council requests further information, which is the usual reason applications take longer than the statutory period. Consent requirements and current processing information are published by Auckland Council.
Do I need a resource consent as well as a building consent?
You need a resource consent when the design breaches a rule for the zone your property sits in. In Auckland the common triggers are height in relation to boundary, building coverage, impermeable surface area, yard setbacks and outlook space, plus overlays such as heritage, character, flooding and slope stability. An architectural designer can tell you early whether your brief is likely to trigger one, which is why several practices offer a feasibility assessment before design work starts.
Can an architectural designer handle a recladding or leaky home project?
Yes. Recladding is a common line of work for Auckland design practices, and several of the studios above list it as a core service. The work usually involves investigating the existing cladding, designing a compliant replacement system, obtaining consent and often bundling in other alterations while the building is open.
What should I bring to a first meeting with an architectural designer?
Bring your property record from the council if you have it, along with any existing plans, your site boundaries, a rough budget range and a list of what is not working in the current house. Photos of layouts and finishes you like help, but the budget and the site information matter more, because those set what is realistically possible.
Do architectural designers work outside central Auckland?
Most Auckland practices work across the whole metro area, including the North Shore, West Auckland, East Auckland and the southern suburbs, and several also take projects elsewhere in New Zealand. Site visits and council meetings are easier when the practice is closer to the property, so it is worth asking how often they expect to be on site during design and construction.