DLA Architects

DLA Architects

About

We are dla, creators of top notch architecture

We're small enough to take care of everything from your modest residential renovation and big enough to design, document and deliver multi-million-dollar industrial and commercial facilities, with the in-house expertise to cater for all projects in between.

Dickson Lonergan Architects (DLA) was founded in Whanganui in 1974 with founding partners Bruce Dickson (retired) and the late Barry Lonergan. Once fully established in the Whanganui region, DLA then started to expand the business, first into Wellington in 1999 with Barry and Glenn starting up the capital city office. Then came the Timaru Office headed up by Murray Ackroyd in 2005 and the further expansion to Hamilton in 2010 with Martin Swann. 

The opportunity then arose to open an Auckland office in 2015 with Alana moving north from Wellington. Now with 5 offices, DLA has evolved from its humble beginnings into a nationwide practice, with a passionate team of architects and designers who specialise in all fields from commercial, residential, industrial, interiors, education and public projects through to DLA’s main stay of large scale dairy and food processing architecture.     

2025
Master Builders
Master Builders Commercial Projects Gold Award

"We’ve worked with the DLA team over many years to modernise and create a strategic property asset base that reflects our clinics both as an investment, as well as a distinct advantage for our people to have a great place to work, and where our clients experience the highest level of care we can provide to their animals.

"We find the DLA team to be credible, efficient, reliable and fun to work with. They have a focus on your best interests and work hard to make it a great experience."

Mike Lange, CEO, Vetora

DLA Architects Limited have handled a variety of projects with Timaru Hospital including the refurbishment of numerous clinical and administration spaces, extensions to the Emergency Department and Resuscitation facility and the recently completed AT&R facility, Endoscopy Procedure Unit and Front of Hospital Atrium, Café and Outpatients extension.

On the Endoscopy Procedure Unit, DLA successfully navigated a series of design challenges within a limiting existing building footprint to achieve a highly efficient and functional high hygiene clinical environment with excellent patient and staff flow.

During all projects DLA engaged collaboratively during the concept design phase with our front-line user groups, always listening and supporting constructive conversations around space allocations and functional requirements.

DLA have always provided timely and well considered responses to issues arising under discovery during construction enabling projects to remain on track.

Simon Johnston, Facilities & Maintenance Manager, Te Whatu Ora Timaru Hospital

After the seamless experience we had with DLA Architects in the design and build of our Coromandel Beach House we had no hesitation in working with them on the renovation of our Farm House.

Once again they listened to our requirements and came up with a redesign that not only delivered a modern, spacious but private dwelling but enhanced the spectacular rural views without affecting the environment in which it sits.

Their ability to listen, understand and work with us made the experience pleasantly memorable.

Tony Edgar, Te Awamutu
DLA Architects
DLA Architects

Architects