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Architectural Design
Architectural Design Services in New Zealand
We offer a full range of architectural design services from conceptual design to completion. We are qualified and skilled licensed building practitioners specialising in delivering exceptional architectural projects across New Zealand with centres based in Christchurch, Whangarei, Auckland and Wellington, creating inspirational and functional designs.
At Cook Costello, our architectural designers blend creativity with functionality, transforming your space into a place you’ll enjoy for life. Specialising in house plans, commercial architecture, and renovations, we create designs that reflect your vision and lifestyle. We are advocates for sustainable house design, universal design, multigenerational design and rooms fit for multi use. We are skilled Homestar assessors and can provide advice on eco-friendly practices and improvements to the thermal envelope.
Whether you're working on house plans, commercial developments, or sustainable building designs, we collaborate with you to deliver tailored solutions for every project.
Healthy Home
Our team specialises in calculating the thermal envelope of your home, helping to reduce heat loss and improve your interior environment. As experienced Homestar Designers and Assessors, we assess operational carbon emissions and evaluate building materials for environmental impact.
We specialize in sustainable architectural design, integrating eco-friendly practices into every project.
New Builds
Whether it's a rural retreat or a suburban home, we guide you through the design and consent process, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Our team brings your new build vision to life.
Learn more about New Builds here
Commercial Design
Our commercial design services cover a range of industries, ensuring that your business space is both functional and inspiring.
Renovations and Extensions
We provide expert guidance on renovations and extensions, helping you transform your existing space.
Other Architectural Design Services
Development Feasibility Study
Our architectural feasibility studies assess the practicality of a project, evaluating site conditions, architectural sustainability, and local regulations to help you make informed decisions.
Concept House Design and Development
We specialize in conceptual design, turning your ideas into detailed house plans that reflect both your vision and the site’s unique characteristics.
Architectural Development and Detailed Design
Our team provides complete architectural development, creating detailed designs that bring your project from concept to reality, with a focus on residential and commercial architecture.
As-Built Drawings
We produce accurate as-built drawings to document your completed project, ensuring that the final construction matches the approved plans.
3D House Renders and Development Renders
Our 3D renders provide a visual representation of your project, allowing you to see your house design or development plans in detail before construction begins.
Resource Consents
We manage the resource consent process for you, ensuring that your project aligns with environmental and zoning regulations.
Operational and Embodied Carbon Emission Assessments
Our team provides assessments of both operational and embodied carbon emissions, helping you understand and reduce the environmental impact of your building.
Project Management and Site Observation
We offer project management services, ensuring your project is built to specification, and providing site observation throughout construction to maintain quality and compliance.
Kitchen and Bathroom Designs
Our team excels in kitchen and bathroom designs, focusing on functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability for these essential spaces.
Homestar Assessments
As Homestar assessors, we evaluate thermal envelopes and offer solutions for reducing operational and embodied carbon emissions, making your home more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
Building Consent Documentation and Lodgement
We handle the building consent process, preparing and lodging all necessary documentation to ensure your project complies with local building codes.
Accessibility Reports
We prepare accessibility reports, ensuring that your building meets universal design standards and is accessible to all users.
Procurement on Behalf of the Client
We handle procurement for your project, sourcing the best materials and contractors to ensure quality and cost-efficiency.
Our Recent Projects
For more information about how Cook Costello can support your architectural design needs, contact us today. We are committed to delivering innovative and sustainable architectural solutions across New Zealand.
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What is a civil engineer, and what do they do?Civil engineers are a category engineers who work mainly on construction projects. It is a broad title which includes anything from Structural, toGeotechnical, to Traffic Engineering.Even Environmental and Coastal Engineering are included, as well as many more. We often provide help to architects and drafters to ensure designs arecompliant with local regulations and help with the technical details of a project to make sure everything works the way it should. We can help with getting a project from the page into the real work.
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What sort of engineering do I need?That depends on the job you are looking for. Cook Costello’s Civil Engineering team specialises in land development, flood modelling, three waters management, and construction monitoring. If you are looking for anything around those lines, feel free to get in touch on the here.
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What is stormwater attenuation?Constructing anything on your property where there used to be nothing but grass, can disrupt the flow of water and end up increasing the amount and speed of water flowing off your site. This is because dirt, grass, or planted areas can absorb and slow down water which is something a carpark or roof can’t do. In urban areas where there is a risk of flooding your neighbours, tanks may be installed to capture and slow down the water coming off your roof or driveway so that it can be released gradually once the storm has passed. This can help spread the load and make sure no one ends up with wet socks. Attenuation is often required for any house increasing the paved and roofed area of their property.
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What hazards may impact a development site?There can be many different hazards to look out for when choosing a location to develop. A main one which can affect many properties is flooding. This can reduce the usable area on your property or increase construction costs by requiring the floor level to be raised. Slope instability can also be a common issue which may require ground stabilisation with reinforcement, retaining, or other methods. The stability is difficult to predict as different soil types and topology react differently. If your site is at risk of slope instability, geological testing may be required. Other hazards include poor geology, liquefaction risk, contaminated soil, or caves and mines underfoot. These hazards each effect a site in their own unique ways so engineers may have to create a unique solution specific to your site. These hazards can often be found on your local council’s GIS map, so make sure to visit and look up your property.
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What other issues do I need to look out for to avoid complications when developing land?There are many other complications which can increase costs or add delays when developing a site. Connections to local infrastructure like, stormwater or wastewater, can vary from simple to impossible depending on local availability, correct fall to lines, capacity, and obstacles. These issues can be worked around with various solutions like pumps, on-site disposal, infrastructure upgrades, or attenuation. But these come with varying effectiveness and price tags. Site access can also be an issue, especially on main roads or when near intersections. It could be worth looking up the site on local GIS maps to ensure there is local infrastructure on the right site of the road, or to commission a desktop study to ensure that the site will be worth developing.
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What is needed for off-grid living/ building off grid?Building off the beaten track can be an appealing prospect for lower land costs, more privacy, or a rural lifestyle, but off-grid living comes with its own challenges. Most on-site wastewater and stormwater solutions require substantial amounts of land which must be dedicated to water management. Some soils are more effective at absorbing and treating wastewater so testing may need to be done to determine the best method. Drinking and firefighting water tanks may also be needed if there is no piped water in your area. Water can either be sourced from rainwater or underground wells. Water storage tanks vary but an off-grid house may often have between 30,000 and 60,000L of water storage.
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What do I need for building or resource consent?Each council has its own requirements for consent, we can provide the engineering services required to get your project off the ground and through the consenting process. Resource consent ensures what you are doing is possible and allowed within local policy, it shows council that your project is well throughout, and you have considered any consequences for the project. This generally includes plans or drawings of the proposal, a list of proposed activities, considerations for affected parties, an environmental impact assessment, and consideration for local plans and policies. A resouces consent is required for jobs which effect the natural environment or other people, including subdivision, new buildings, and changes to stormwater discharge. A building consent is more specific and requires detailed and finalised plans before being issued. It shows council that any construction taking place is safe, legal, and fit for purpose. This ensures that the construction complies with local requirements and the national building code. A building consent is required for jobs which require construction like new buildings, retaining walls, and plumbing. Achieving building and resource consents can take a lot of time, so it is best to start on the process early. Each council has their own specific requirements for consents, and depending on the complexity of the job, it can take many revisions for all parties to be satisfied. Civil engineers are very involved in the consenting process. It is often our job to assist with and ensure consents are achieved without complication.
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How to subdivide a property?There are a few steps to follow to subdivide a property, in general: It is recommended to discuss the subdivision with a planner first to ensure any project preventing issues are identified from the start. A pre-application meeting with the local council is recommended, however not required. This is a meeting which the proposal is discussed, and any requirements can be identified. Obtaining a subdivision consent from your local council. Typically, this requires a site suitability report covering the required infrastructure and geotechnical conditions within the proposed lots and a scheme plan. Obtaining a survey plan approval, 223 certification. Carrying out any requirements required by the local council, and any infrastructure required for the subdivision's final council sign off. Apply for s224c sign off once all physical works are completed. This is a certificate to certify that all conditions of the subdivision consent are met. Lodging the new titles with the Land Titles Office at LINZ and receiving your new record of title(s)
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What is structural engineering?Structural engineering is a branch of civil engineering that focuses on the design and analysis of structures such as buildings, bridges, and other infrastructures. It ensures that the structures are safe, stable, and capable of withstanding the loads and forces they encounter up to a certain standard.
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When do I need a structural engineer?You may need a structural engineer if: You are building a new home or commercial property. You are adding an extension to a building. Your building has experienced damage (e.g., from earthquakes, floods, or other natural disasters). You need an inspection for structural integrity, especially for safety or compliance.
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What types of projects do structural engineers work on?Cook Costello structural engineers work on a wide range of projects, including: Residential homes. Commercial buildings such as offices, warehouses. Seismic assessment and strengthening of buildings. Foundation design and inspection. Temporary works such as scaffolding or shoring systems. Internal fitout seismic design for commercial buildings.
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What is seismic strengthening, and why is it important?Seismic strengthening involves upgrading a building's structure to withstand earthquake forces. This is particularly important in earthquake-prone areas and for older buildings that may not meet current seismic standards. Strengthening ensures the safety of occupants and can prevent significant damage during an earthquake. In New Zealand, many cities require a certain seismic rating for each building to ensure it is safe during an earthquake. Feel free to contact us if you need an ISA (Initial Seismic Assessment) or DSA (Detailed Seismic Assessment).
Frequently asked questions about Architectural Design
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