How Much Does it Cost?
Architectural fees are typically 5–8% of the building contract price, depending on the project’s size, type, site conditions, performance level, and services required. To give you a fee proposal, we’ll need to understand the site, build type, budget, and your design goals. We offer tailored designs using our 'Base, Better or Best' standards to match your budget and preferences. Investing more upfront in quality and performance can greatly improve comfort, health, durability, and reduce long-term running and maintenance costs. It’s best to discuss all project and build costs in person.
How Long Does it Take?
Timeframes depend on your project. The Design Concept stage usually takes 1–2 months. The overall timeline is often affected by the building consent process and external consultants, which we actively coordinate to avoid delays. Clear, high-quality drawings help speed up consent, and tendering can run alongside this to save time. Construction duration varies—around 6 months for a simple home on a flat site, and 12–18 months for a larger home on a hill. We often specify the use of prefabricated and panel systems to speed up the build. Once we know more about your project, we can give you a specific timeframe.
How Do I Write a Brief?
A clear, well-thought-out design brief is key to a successful project. We’ll work with you to create one by asking the right questions about your goals, budget, design style, Superhome standards, and the purpose of your build. We'll also explore how you plan to use the space and what you expect in terms of function and aesthetics. Sharing photos of projects you like helps us understand your preferences. Timelines and budgets are set early, and once you approve the initial concepts, we’ll refine and document the design further.
Can You Design a Home Anywhere in New Zealand?
Yes, we are currently engaged in projects nationwide and have designed projects as far north as Whangarei or as far south as Manapouri. We usually only need to visit the site once at the beginning of the project, after which we can coordinate with site surveyors and geotech engineers etc. to get the site information we need.
Can You Design a Home on a Hill Site?
Yes, we specialise in hill site homes and high performance Superhomes, with many completed designs on the Port Hills, Banks Peninsula and all around New Zealand. A hill site project is more complex and requires both a designer and a builder with experience in hill site projects.
Do We Need Our Own Builder or Do You Recommend One?
We can assist our clients to vet prospective builders and advise on the best selection and also help with getting the right building contract in place. Involving the builder early on in the design process is highly recommended as it can help to develop a design with optimal buildability and cost effectiveness. This can circumvent possible problems during the build and ensure everyone is on the same page.
Do You Design to Passive House Standards or Other Certifications?
We design homes to meet and exceed certification standards like Passive House, Homestar, and Quakestar. In 2015, we created Australasia’s first-ever 10-Star Homestar homes. With training in the Living Building Challenge, we focus on regenerative design—creating buildings that not only reduce harm (Footprint) but also add positive impact (Handprint) by being healthy and climate-positive. Every home we design is Superhome Certified to 'Base, Better or Best' standards based on your budget and needs, ensuring it’s warm, dry, healthy, resilient, and future-proofed with very low running costs.
What Does Bob Burnett Architecture Do Differently?
We are passionate about designing super-sustainable, energy-efficient homes that are healthy for people and the planet, far exceeding subpar code minimum standards. Over the years, we have developed a valuable library of superior design details and building techniques to ensure high-quality design performance in our client’s homes. We focus on understanding our clients needs and wishes and creating a home that exceeds expectations for functionality, form, and performance with aesthetical flair.
Has Bob Burnett Architecture Won Any Awards?
Yes, Bob Burnett Architecture has garnered over 30 ADNZ Architectural Design Awards and many others. Bob received the national Sustainability Superstar award from SBN (Sustainable Business Network) in recognition of work done by Bob Burnett Architecture. Bob has also had roles in creating the Superhome Movement Charitable Trust and co-foundering Quakestar, a rating for a building's resilience to Earthquakes. Explore our Awards page for our full list of achievements.
Are You Architects or Designers?
We are both. Bob Burnett is an experienced architectural designer and has been a professional member of ADNZ (Architectural Designers NZ) for over 20 years with over 30 years industry experience. Shizuka Yasui is a Level 1 registered architect from Japan - a top level held by only 10% of Japanese registered architects. Shizuka has over two decades of experience in New Zealand following five years in Japan.
Bob Burnett Architecture © 2025
