KIA ORA
We are
Shape.
Shape Architects is an award-winning Auckland-based architectural studio specializing in homes and residential developments. We create considered architecture shaped by its people, place and purpose. Designs that are contemporary, sophisticated and enduring that reflects purpose and personality in equal measure. Every project begins with understanding. We listen, test and refine, developing architecture that is distinctive to its context rather than defined by a signature style. From private homes to multi-residential developments, we work closely with our clients and consultants from concept through to completion, bringing clarity to both the design and delivery of each project.
Our ambition is simple: to create architecture with lasting value — considered in design, effortless in use and enduring over time.
WHAT WE DO
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A considered approach — architecture is personal
Architecture is personal. It should reflect how you live, while creating a genuine sense of belonging. Every project begins with a conversation. We take the time to understand our clients — their family, friends, work, travel, interests, routines and the way they want to experience their home. We also explore preferences around architectural style, colour, form and materiality. These conversations form the basis of a clear brief, giving the design a considered framework to respond to.
Understanding the site — architecture begins with place
Before we begin designing, we take the time to understand the site. We look at its orientation, sunlight, views, topography and slope, surrounding landscape, neighbouring properties and wider context, as well as the planning and regulatory constraints that may influence what can be built. We also identify potential issues early, including site access, services, stormwater, flooding, overland flow and ground conditions. Understanding these factors from the outset allows us to make informed design decisions and avoid unnecessary complications later in the process.
Concept design — finding the right response
The concept design brings together the brief and our understanding of the site to establish the overall architectural direction. We explore different arrangements of the building’s position, orientation, form and spatial layout, considering how each approach responds to both the site and the way our clients want to live. Plans, diagrams and 3D studies are used to communicate these ideas and establish a clear direction for the project.
Developed design — refining the details
Once the direction is established, we progressively develop and resolve the design. This is where the broader concept becomes a complete architectural proposal — refining room proportions, interior layouts, windows, floor-to-ceiling heights, materials, finishes, exterior cladding and colour palettes. A detailed 3D BIM model is developed alongside the drawings, allowing our clients to properly understand the spaces, proportions and finished form before construction begins.
Consenting — taking care of the process
Once the design is resolved, we manage the resource and building consent process on your behalf. We work with a trusted network of surveyors, planners, geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, civil engineers and other specialists to coordinate the reports, documentation and technical information required for consent. We also liaise directly with Council throughout the process, responding to requests and working through any issues that arise along the way.
Construction — from drawings to reality
Once consent is obtained, we can assist with selecting a suitable contractor if one has not already been appointed. This can be through a competitive tender process or by recommending builders whose work and workmanship we know through previous projects.
During construction, we remain involved to administer the contract, coordinate with the contractor and consultants, respond to technical queries and help resolve issues as they arise. Our role is to ensure that the important details are understood and that the built result remains faithful to the design.
From the first conversation through to completion, our involvement is intended to give clients a clear point of contact and confidence that the many moving parts of a project are being properly considered and coordinated.
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Subdivision & development — Subdivision and development can be complex, particularly for those taking on a project for the first time. A site’s potential is shaped by a wide range of factors — infrastructure, topography, ground conditions, overland flow paths, flooding, ecology and planning regulations, to name a few. Many of these constraints are not immediately visible and, when overlooked early, can have significant implications for the viability, cost and timeline of a development later on.
Our role extends beyond designing beautiful and functional homes. We lead the design and due diligence process with a focus on identifying potential risks early, understanding what the site can realistically accommodate, and developing a strategy that allows the project to progress with greater certainty.
A considered strategy — Before design begins, we work with our clients to understand the opportunities and constraints of the site and establish the most appropriate development strategy. This means considering not only what can be built, but what should be built. The right approach may be a higher-density development of smaller, more affordable homes, or a collection of larger standalone homes designed around the demands of a more premium market.
We consider the wider commercial picture alongside the architecture — anticipated timeframes, upfront investment, development costs, market demand and the balance between design quality and cost. Our aim is to create a development model that is commercially sound while still delivering architecture that is considered, functional and enduring.
An experienced team — We work closely with a trusted network of specialists including surveyors, geotechnical engineers, planners, urban designers, civil engineers and traffic engineers. Collectively, our consultant network has delivered well over 500 subdivision projects, bringing extensive experience in identifying constraints, designing around them and resolving complex issues when they arise.
This collaborative approach allows us to coordinate the various disciplines from the outset, ensuring the design, engineering and planning requirements work together as one cohesive project.
From strategy to consent — Once the development strategy is established, we take the project through design and consenting, coordinating closely with our consultants to complete the required documentation and reporting. We manage communication with Council and the wider project team on behalf of our clients, working through issues as they arise and keeping the process moving towards approval.
Once consents are obtained, the project can be passed directly to the client for construction, or we can assist in connecting them with trusted builders from our established network. From the initial assessment of a site through to consent, our focus is on creating a development that is well considered, commercially viable and ready to be delivered.
For a deeper understanding of what to look for when purchasing a section for development or subdivision, read our director’s guide on Relab.
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The interior is where architecture becomes personal. We work closely with our clients, suppliers, contractors and fabricators to develop the details that complete a project — from colour palettes and material selections through to kitchens, joinery, lighting and furniture. Project-specific 3D visualisations help bring these decisions together, allowing the interior and architecture to be considered as one cohesive whole.
