About

Imagine Architecture (formally Imagine Building Design) is a multi-award winning architectural design practice that has been in business since 2002 with specialist expertise in Residential and Commercial design. Our practice has evolved through many iterations over the years. From starting in a shoebox home office, to growing into occupying historic premises at the Kings Building in New Plymouth, then to a sleek downtown high street practice. We have now gone back to our roots with small studio setups for Tony Biesiek out of Think Co in Tauranga and Steven Dixon in New Plymouth.

​“Changing lives through great architecture & design”. That is the mission of Imagine Architecture. Since 2002, we have sought to infuse that mission into every project. Our designs are for high performance buildings that change lives. To achieve this, we combine aesthetics & energy efficiency with comfort & architectural appeal, function & use of space with quality interaction with the environment.

​This approach is applied across all our projects irrespective of size or budget. We believe there is opportunity in every project to make better choices. This is accomplished thanks to better decision making to improve the quality of the space experienced by its occupants. Merely meeting minimum building code requirements is not enough. Exceeding minimums is the key to better buildings, be they new architectural homes or commercial structures. Optimum performance ahead of minimum compliance every time. Architecture with attitude!

​Imagine Architecture aspires to uphold the Pritzker Architecture Prizewinner Glenn Murcutt’s ideal: ‘to touch the earth lightly’. This means we look at how nature has crafted the environment to this point in time, and form our design in relationship to that. For example, we have sculpted designs to the land, rather than the land to the design. Nature has brought us those spaces, so we strive to design structures to be harmonious with that nature. As custodians we seek to protect the environment through diligent stewardship and utilisation of the best high performance technology.

​Our experience in over 1000 commissions to date is wide and diverse. In addition to servicing Bay of Plenty and Taranaki, we have commissions throughout New Zealand and have projects in Australia and Italy. In this modern age, geography is no barrier to delivering architectural excellence. The Imagine Architecture team's track record shows an ability to adapt quickly to client changes, government legislation and technical site situations. We have specialist experience in:

​Residential homes and renovations

  • Sustainable and Energy Efficient architecture
  • Recreation & Parks facilities
  • Apartments & Townhouses
  • Mobility design and disabled access
  • Retirement homes
  • Gymnasia
  • Schools & ECE
  • Property development & investment units
  • Industrial facilities
  • Restaurant and retail design
  • Shipping Container buildings
  • Feasibility Studies
  • Motels and Motor Lodges

​Imagine Architecture promotes itself on the principle of “relationship marketing”. A large number of commissions come to Imagine Architecture by way of referrals from existing clients. This method of marketing reflects our philosophy of creating quality relationships with clients. This is achieved by friendly, clear and up front communication matched with a quality design service that meets the aesthetic, functional & financial requirements of the client.​

​Imagine Architecture is the experienced team to use if you are looking for innovative design that respects the environment, quality technical documentation, superior service through excellent communication.

Imagine Architecture

Testimonials

“Imagine is an exciting practice in which Tony listens to the clients.  Options are considered but the client is always listened to.  The team is approachable, and communication is always positive and easy going.  The design we have finalised is modern / contemporary and not the boring routine.  It fits with our circumstances.  We would definitely use Tony and his team again and have no hesitation in recommending him to others as we have already done.”

Kevin Riley & Raewyn Wyngaarden
Whitianga, New Zealand

“Our introduction to Imagine was by watching a new house being built in Inglewood.  We remarked that if ever we were to build a new house that was the type and design we would want.  Twelve months later we were in that very position and so contacted Tony.  From the outset we were impressed by Tony’s quick appreciation of our requirements for our new home and his eagerness to share our vision.  His enthusiasm, dedication and attention to detail was brilliant.  As owner builders we formed a very close relationship with Tony and his team.  He was only ever a phone call or visit away from the project’s start to finish.  Tony has an extreme passion for his work, which is evident in the creation of our home.  The house has exceeded our expectations and we look forward to living and enjoying it for a very long time.  We feel we received superb value for money and would have absolute faith in recommending Tony and his Imagine team to share a vision and create a home for anyone.”

Brent & Debbie Smith
Inglewood, New Zealand

“After many years of searching, my husband and I found a piece of land with a great outlook over rolling farmland, the sea and the mountain so when it came to deciding the style of house we wanted to build on the land, we had to “get it right”.  My husband had been working on a house designed by Tony Biesiek of Imagine so we contacted him regarding plans for our own house.  Tony spent some time with us while we outlined our wish list and he then spend some time with us on the land where he took particular notice of the sun, views, levels etc.  All this time he LISTENED.  Five days later Tony presented us with a floor plan and a coloured sketch of the finished house.  Apart from some very minor tweaks we changed nothing.  Tony then proceeded to produce detailed drawings for the project and liaised with the Council regarding our building permit which cam through in a reasonably short time.  Our son built our house with us managing the job.  All sub contractors commented on the quality and detail of the plans and specifications.  If the builders had any queries during construction Tony would deal with it quickly and efficiently.  We have lived in our house for a number of years now.  It fulfills all our wish list and is a pleasure to live in.  We would be more than happy to recommend Imagine to any family or friends who were building a new house or doing alterations to an existing dwelling.”

Peter & Margaret McNeice
New Plymouth, New Zealand
“In looking for someone to draw up our dream home we wanted someone with up to date design and product knowledge.  We wanted a designer who would listen to our ideas, refine them and make the ideas become reality.  We wanted someone who was approachable and professional.  We found Tony to be all the above.  We would highly recommend Tony to anyone who needed any design work done.”
Andrew & Sarah Birchler
Bell Block, New Zealand

“Imagine has been involved in three building projects for us.  The first was a renovation of our house in Brisbane, Australia.  We found Tony to have great communication skills with us whilst being in New Zealand.  The project went very smoothly, and we were really happy with the service Tony and his team provided.  The second project designed by Imagine was a townhouse development in New Plymouth, New Zealand.  The finished product 100% delivers on design, aesthetic and performance.  The third project is our three storey home in Brisbane, Australia. This has been a major project with outstanding results. We love our home! The original ideas and contemporary designs that Tony comes up with are great.”

Russell & Vanessa Kirk
Brisbane, Australia