Residential Heritage Design

Architech Designs provides heritage residential design services across Auckland, with experience in both the special character overlay areas that cover much of the inner Auckland isthmus and the individually listed heritage buildings identified in the Auckland Unitary Plan. The special character areas are found in many of Auckland’s most desirable inner suburbs, including Ponsonby, Grey Lynn, Herne Bay, Freemans Bay, Westmere, Mt Eden, Sandringham, and several other isthmus suburbs. In these areas, demolition and certain exterior alterations require resource consent, and the design of any changes must be assessed against the relevant special character objectives and policies in the plan.

For individually listed heritage buildings, the rules are generally more restrictive than for special character areas. Changes to the exterior of a listed heritage building typically require resource consent regardless of the nature of the work, and the assessment criteria are focused on protecting the specific heritage values of the building that led to it being listed. We understand these criteria and design alterations that address them directly, which is the most effective way to achieve a smooth consent outcome for heritage property work.

We take a sympathetic approach to heritage design. This does not mean we only propose work that mimics the original building or that restricts what can be done with a heritage property. Modern additions and alterations can be entirely appropriate for heritage buildings when they are designed with care and with a clear understanding of the heritage values involved. In fact, many Auckland heritage property owners have achieved significant new additions and contemporary internal transformations while successfully navigating the heritage consent process, and we have experience designing and consenting this type of work.

For owners who are buying a heritage property and want to understand what they can do with it before committing to the purchase, we offer pre-purchase heritage design assessments. These assessments give you a clear picture of what alterations are likely to be achievable, what consent process they would require, and what the likely timeframe and cost implications are. This information can be valuable in making an informed decision about whether a particular heritage property suits your plans and budget.

Heritage resource consent timeframes vary depending on the nature of the application and whether it is processed on a non-notified or notified basis. For straightforward alterations to special character properties, a non-notified restricted discretionary consent can typically be processed within 20 working days. For more complex applications, or those involving individually listed heritage buildings, the process can take longer and may require a pre-application meeting with council before the application is lodged. We advise on the likely consent pathway and timeframe at the initial consultation based on your specific property and proposal.

One of the most valuable things we can do for heritage property owners is advise them on what is achievable before they commit to a design direction. The worst outcome in a heritage consent application is to invest in a detailed design that council will not approve. We avoid this by understanding the heritage values of the property and the relevant consent requirements thoroughly before the design work begins, and by designing within a range of outcomes that we are confident can be achieved through the consent process.

We service heritage residential design clients across all areas of Auckland where heritage and special character overlays apply, including the inner isthmus suburbs, the North Shore heritage precincts, and properties throughout the Auckland region that are individually listed in the Auckland Unitary Plan. We are familiar with the specific character areas and their particular values and design criteria, which means we can move efficiently from design to consent without the time-consuming learning curve that affects designers who work with heritage properties infrequently.

If you own a heritage or character property and want to understand what you can do with it, call us for a free consultation. We will assess the heritage status of your property, explain the relevant consent requirements, and give you an honest view of what alterations are likely to be achievable and how the consent process would work. There is no charge for the initial consultation and no obligation to proceed with us. Call 09 627 7117 or 021 062 4609 to arrange a time.