Solarchitect

Solarchitect works with our Clients to produce;

“The best building design solutions create healthy, productive environments with a sustainable future firmly in mind”.

Our design influences are as wide and varied as the terrain on the sites we work with. From a starting point of Passive Solar Design, Solarchitect works with our clients to create natural, light, fresh and comfortable environments.

Solarchitect has been working hard during the Christchurch Rebuild following the earthquakes of 2010 -2011. The practice has relocated back to the City Centre in late 2016 in a specially designed new office above Mak’s Camera Centre.

Russell Devlin, B.Arch, ANZIA

Architect, Director

Architect Russell Devlin brings his experience in Passive Solar, energy efficiency and all aspects of Sustainable design to each project.

“I feel that working together, delivering a solution that reflects my Clients’ own valuable input, produces the quality result that we are both seeking to achieve.”

Cory Bryan, Dip. Arch. Tech

Architectural Technician

Alfonsina De Conno M.Arch Graduate

Architectural Technician

Jorge Cacabelos Martinez M.Arch Graduate

Architectural Technician

Your project is important to us

People come to us to get our input into their projects, we see our role as one of being the design facilitator and graphic communicator. We pull the many different strings together and overlay our expertise in energy and sustainable design to make it work cohesively. We espouse a collaborative working approach right through the process, including the building phase.

Experience
The Practice specializes in Residential Design and Development projects with further experience in Elderly care, Retail, Education and projects with specialized Renewable energy applications. Post-earthquake work in Christchurch has seen an increase in the scale of projects and in overall knowledge and expertise.

Working with you
We are often asked to describe how the process of design works.

It is a fairly logical process, not always linear and often with information gathering side trips. Our job sees us assimilating this large amount of design input into areas of discussion and resolution as the design takes shape. We are considering many things which produce the design synergy that our Clients are looking for in the completed project. Considering sustainable design aspects as early in the process as we can is important as this negates any cost concerns.

Form
The form, look and appearance of your building shaped by and respond to the local micro climate. This form is determined by many factors and is arrived at through discussion, research and consultation with you. Form is important to our clients as it shapes their own world, your building should be attractive and feel just right.

Function
A building plan should be practical and flow easily - making it very comfortable and supporting your lifestyle or working day. This is part of the planning process that we work through and is one of Solarchitects' strengths.

Quality
You will expect this and will also accept that it does not have to cost the earth. Literally and figuratively the quality you expect will enhance your use of the building and ensure it sits well in its environment for a long time.

Value
Design is all about added value in many respects. By incorporating this into your decision making you will see the value Solarchitect brings in efficient space planning, practical material use and the effective use of all our resources natural, physical and financial.

Energy Effectiveness
A term developed by this practice, energy effectiveness is the next step. Buildings need their energy requirements to be designed for and for these to be managed by the property owner. Working from passive solar principles, integrating natural light, solar technology, and fresh air in to the whole design is part of this concept.

Initial meeting
Lets talk. Our first meeting is to help us get to know each other and the nature of your project. We will be pleased to show you examples of our work. All our fees are clarified in written proposals and are agreed in advance.

The brief
It’s your project. We need your wish list and “the brief’ is in effect your set of instructions for how you see the project shaping up. We help on many projects, to further refine this and start talking early about project budgets.

Design concept
The design concept is our response to your brief. Your input at this stage is vital and is encouraged to help us produce a design which meets or even exceeds your expectations.

Working documents
Design plans, working drawings and specifications are produced to allow the project to proceed to Consent, pricing and construction phases.

On site - the building documents
Setting up the contract and on-site management is part of our work. Working with good builders is a key part of the project and we help select a good team for you. As the project Architect we manage this along with contract management and payments.

What is the Solarchitect difference?
The value of working with Solarchitect is in our understanding of sustainable design and the acknowledged expertise in environmentally conscious Architecture.

NEO is new!

NEO Projects is a new venture powered by the team at Solarchitect to produce highly energy-efficient and NEO - Net Energy Zero buildings.

By this we mean that our buildings have a Zero Energy bill on an Annual basis. Your building will generate a surplus in the Summer and may well use energy from the grid during the winter. On a net basis annually we aim to produce a zero energy bill by working with you to achieve this.

NEO works on a design continuum which allows for highly Customized, one-off  individual designs by Solarchitect at the one end and, at the other - more standard and cost-effective designs to fit any site.

The NEO Process is simple;
We ask you to get in contact and email us your site information and initial wish-list
There is then a no-cost meeting including;
Our Initial Design Concept and a fixed cost Build to Budget BTB Proposal
If you like our proposal, there is a single and reasonable one-off investment in design
 

NEO will then confirm;

• The BTB Proposal along with the Design Plans and Product Selections
• A Fixed Price Contract with a Registered Building Contractor including;    Construction Drawings / Building Consent / Structural Engineering / Energy  Systems / Warranties

NEO will continue to;

• Manage the Project Liaison with You, as the Owner, and the Builder
• Manage the Contract on your behalf including Progress Payments
• Work with both You and the Builder to create a successful Project

Let's talk some more

Please feel free to contact us now.

neoprojects@solarchitect.co.nz
03 377-4315