Services

Our Services & Our Approach

We specialise in designing architecture and landscapes that have a measurable benefit to the contexts we work within. We cross multiple sectors to deliver impactful built environments, with our key strengths residing in Commercial, Multi-Residential, Public Realm, and Mixed-Use Neighbourhoods.

Our research and education expertise scales from material prototyping to city-wide adaptation and climate mitigation.

We deliver architecture of the highest quality with a team dedicated to close client relationships, leveraging our previous big practice experience to create impactful, sustainable developments. We combine innovative ideas with meticulous care, proving that a small team can deliver monumental value.  ↓
Our Services
Masterplanning & Urban Design
  • Needs Assessments
  • Neighbourhoods
  • Placemaking
  • Codesign workshops

ahha develops comprehensive urban designs and masterplans for vibrant, interconnected communities. Ecological principles, community values, cultural heritage, and economic sensitivities are at the heart of our approach, shaping the direction of every masterplan. We emphasise sustainable growth, weaving nature into innovative urban solutions, and prioritising pedestrian-friendly, accessible spaces. Our detailed masterplans respond to each site's unique context, ensuring long-term value and positive contributions to the urban fabric.

Commercial
  • Offices
  • Retail
  • Mixed-Use

We deliver functional and beautiful commercial architecture that enhances business operations and brand identity. We translate client needs into innovative design solutions, optimising efficiency and creating engaging environments. Our sustainable commercial projects range in scale, each tailored to our clients' unique character and aspirations.

Multi-Unit Residential
  • Apartments
  • Terraced Housing
  • Duplexes
  • Mixed Typologies

ahha specialises in multi-unit residential developments that balance density with liveability, creating vibrant communities. Our designs prioritise diverse housing options and integrate communal spaces to enhance residents' quality of life. We are committed to sustainable practices in our environmentally responsible projects while also pursuing modern methods of construction to deliver quality at scale.

Sustainability Consulting
  • Certification Strategy
  • Energy Modelling
  • Life Cycle Assessments
  • Homestar Assessments
  • Green Star Assessments
  • Living Building Challenge
  • Circularity Strategy

ahha integrates sustainability into all design aspects, creating buildings that minimise environmental impact and enhance occupant well-being. We utilise energy-efficient designs, sustainable materials, and innovative technologies to reduce carbon emissions and promote resource conservation.

Our consulting services can support projects through our Impact Framework, or we can deeply pursue an urban system such as the Construction and Demolition circularity or a city, and or the impacts of adapting climate at-risk communities.

Research & Education
  • Lecturing
  • Regenerative Design Research
  • Material Impact Research

ahha advances architectural knowledge through research and education, fostering innovation and promoting best practices. Our research explores emerging trends, informing our sustainable and resilient designs. We share our expertise with academic institutions and industry partners.

Temporary Architecture
  • Pop-ups
  • Meanwhile buildings

ahha explores the potential of temporary architecture, crafting innovative and adaptable spaces for evolving needs. Our designs prioritise flexibility and sustainability, utilising modular systems. We create functional and visually engaging temporary spaces for events and pop-ups.

Heritage
  • Adaptive Reuse
  • Heritage Restoration

ahha approaches heritage architecture with respect for history, sensitively integrating contemporary elements with historic fabric. Our designs ensure heritage buildings remain relevant for future generations through sustainable conservation practices. Projects range from restoration to complementary new additions, celebrating architectural legacy.

Interior Design
  • Commercial Fit-outs
  • Cabinetry Design
  • Furniture Design

ahha crafts interior spaces that balance aesthetics with functionality, creating environments that enhance daily life. Our designs are tailored to clients' specific needs and preferences, reflecting their unique aspirations. We are committed to sustainable practices, utilising environmentally friendly materials and finishes.

Community, Culture & Art
  • Community Buildings
  • Public Art Work
  • Te Ao Māori projects
  • Educational Buildings

ahha creates community, cultural, and art spaces that enrich the social fabric and foster engagement. Our designs aim for inclusive and accessible environments that reflect the diverse needs of the community. We are passionate about creating spaces that inspire creativity and serve as platforms for cultural expression.

Process

Our process is underpinned by a robust impact framework to ensure we deliver a holistic outcome on every project. 

Feasibility studies and masterplans are often time sensitive, to meet this need, we rapidly prototype, narrowing in on the most suitable direction alongside project stakeholders.

We deliver building design through a tested process, while tailoring it for project-specific requirements.

Our specialist consulting services can provide value across a client's portfolio of work, or assist a wider team in delivering better outcomes on a single project. These services are defined by a client's needs, for example, pursuing sustainability certifications on properties to meet ESG requirements, or working with communities to get fit-for-purpose outcomes while derisking planning processes.

Client Benefits

We live and breathe better. For us, this means finding that particular threshold of meeting a client’s budget, seeking ecological restoration, and providing fit-for-purpose infrastructure for a community's needs. Working with ahha has the benefit of collaborating with a company constantly seeking out better ways of doing architecture.

The value we create through our impact framework research, education, and self-initiated ventures is directly transferred into improving the projects we work on. A low risk and high reward for our clients.

Fees

ahha sets fees based on the value we bring to the project. This crucially aligns our interests with the client’s goals. Creating the right environment for innovative design can lead to benefits such as increased property value, faster sales, or reduced long-term operating costs. We ensure that the pricing structure enables this environment, ensuring an outcomes-based approach.

As all projects have nuances, we ensure we cater our services to the project's specific needs, optimising our offering. For complete transparency of your project finances, we break down fees into clear, manageable phases corresponding to project milestones, giving you heightened cashflow control and progress review points.

Our rates are higher than those of copy-and-paste architects but less than those of big practices. This means we can offer premium design solutions at a competitive price. We can offer fixed fees tied to a defined scope; hourly or day rates for specialist consulting, or percentage fees tied to project budgets.

We are interested in finding the most appropriate scope and fee for your project. Get in touch, and we can discuss the best way forward.