Frequently Asked Questions

How do you structure your fees and handle the overall project investment?

Our fee structure follows the New Zealand Institute of Architects frameworks, covering your journey from early site analysis through to detailed documentation and construction observation. We recommend downloading our project briefing guide from our site before our first consultation. Our initial engagement stage with you is a 'Project Brief and Feasibility Analysis' Where we confirm the alignment of dreams, brief, site context, and budget with you, and outline the specific pathway forwards to achieve your goals. At critical points in the design process a Quantity Surveyor costing is obtained to ensure that dreams, budget, engineering and market construction rates can be aligned.

Do you focus exclusively on new architectural plans or do you also undertake renovations?

We carry out both new site-specific builds and detailed residential alterations. Whether we are planning a permanent family home in the city, restoring a character building with heritage protections, or shaping a coastal bach, our methodology remains the same. We analyze the microclimate, solar orientation, and spatial flow to improve the liveability of the structure. A curated selection of our adapted projects is available in our lookbook, which you can download on our portfolio page.

What is your approach to sustainability and Passive House principles?

We design high-performance homes based on ecosystem synchronicity and Passive House principles. By optimizing solar orientation, high thermal insulation, and balanced ventilation, we create spaces that maintain a stable interior climate all year round. This reduces energy consumption while creating a healthier living environment.

What should we expect from the architectural process when working together?

Our process moves deliberately from initial briefing and site analysis into developed design, council documentation, and construction observation. We act as your project guide, managing consultant coordination and local authority approvals on your behalf. We remain active on site during construction to ensure the build is in accordance with the documented plans. To understand the milestones of this journey, we walk you through the process in our initial meeting with you.

What is the architectural style of Day Architects?

We focus on site-specific architecture that prioritizes intuitive spatial flow and functional layouts tailored to how your family moves. Our designs use a disciplined palette of natural, enduring materials that respond directly to the New Zealand landscape. Rather than chasing passing trends or have a singluar style, for each project we design architecture that adapts to your unique context, balancing open shared spaces with private retreats and creating human centred design environments. You can see how these principles function by downloading Lookbook Issue One on our website.

What area of New Zealand can you work in?

While we are based in Auckland (North Island, New Zealand) we have completed projects in a wide range of locations and work on projects throughout New Zealand.

Can you put together a project team for us including consultants and builders?

We have contacts with a variety of consultants (engineers, planners, surveyors, quantity surveyors) and builders, and can organise quotations from different experts required for your particular project. Their engagement is always with you directly, but we can help co ordinate the various tasks and information into one cohesive package and lead the project on your behalf.

How do I prioritize my project brief?

Often the list for what you want to go into your home can be a very long one, and that’s ok, but also its important to think about your top priorities for your build – We have put together a PDF download on 'How to write a brief for an Architect' that can take you through the stages of how to prioritise your brief. We can also sit down with you and help refine your brief in a way that suits both budget and goals during our Project Brief and Feasibility Analysis Stage..

Do you take on small projects or only large ones?

Our projects span from the small to the very large. For the smaller projects, the focus is often on quality and sustainability or on customised prefabrication options, bespoke cabinetry and interior design. (We tend not to work on very small alterations unless high quality design is an essential part of your brief as that is where we can best add value to your project)

How will I understand what my project is going to look like.

We use the latest BIM technology so that you can experience our architecture designs in 3d on your tablet or phone, and move around them in a virtual world. The drawings and designs can be loaded up on this platform too and connect with the 3d model, It’s a great way of really understanding the concepts and drawings, as well as enabling us to collaborate with you easily no matter where you are in the world. In addition to sketches and drawings on paper, we can also offer physical cardboard models if that enables you to understand the spaces better.

Can you work remotely with us?

We regularly collaborate with long-distance clients and overseas investors to deliver site-specific architecture across New Zealand. Our studio uses comprehensive digital platforms to keep you deeply involved in the design journey, providing clear milestone updates, precise plans, and detailed material schedules regardless of your time zone. We possess the specific technical capability required to navigate the Overseas Investment Act guidelines. By working alongside specialized legal and land consultants early in the process, we prepare the rigorous architectural documentation and site feasibility data needed for smooth Overseas Investment Office approvals. This highly organized approach mitigates investment risk and ensures total regulatory compliance before construction begins. You can request our international investor brief and process overview on our contact page to see how we manage distant projects safely.

Do you work on Commercial, retail or hospitality projects.

While our practice is widely recognized for residential design, our scope of works includes a curated portfolio of bespoke commercial and retail spaces. We apply the same rigorous methodology to commercial architecture that we bring to our residential work, focusing heavily on spatial efficiency, intuitive user navigation, and high-quality material selection. Our team delivers precise architectural documentation that honors your operational workflows while creating a distinct physical expression of your brand philosophy. Whether we are planning a refined retail fit-out or a boutique commercial footprint, our design solutions are engineered to enhance the daily human experience of your staff and clientele while maximizing the utility of your property asset. You can request our comprehensive capability statement and view our past commercial project examples by contacting our studio directly.