I help clients make better decisions that lead to exceptional built outcomes.
HWA Advisory + Architecture provides architectural advisory, architectural design, and consulting services for residential, commercial, and community projects throughout New Zealand.
Advisory + Architecture
HWA
Independant Architectural Advice
20+ Years
Professional
Experience
Nationwide Project Delivery
700+ completed projects
Every project is an opportunity to create something better than you first imagined.
Successful building projects are shaped by hundreds of decisions. Understanding what matters to you, recognising the potential of the site, testing ideas, managing cost, navigating planning requirements, and considering how the building will be constructed all influence the outcome.
My role is to bring those different considerations together. I listen carefully, ask questions, test assumptions, and explore ideas before developing a design response that is appropriate to you, your site, and the ambitions of the project.
Drawing on more than 20 years of practical experience, I help clients see the bigger picture, make better decisions, and invest their time and money where it will add the most value.
Whether you're building new, transforming existing, or exploring the potential of a property, the goal is simple: to understand what matters, make informed decisions, and achieve an exceptional built outcome.
01
first step engagement
It all starts with a first step.
Confidence begins with understanding.
Achieving a specific outcome in any building project begins with understanding where the project is, and where it needs to get to. Before ideas become drawings, I take the time to understand your aspirations, the unique characteristics of the site, and the opportunities and constraints that will shape the project. This early thinking establishes a clear direction and gives every subsequent decision purpose.
With that foundation in place, creativity can flourish. Rather than reacting to constraints as they arise, we can use them to inform the design, uncover opportunities, and create architecture that is uniquely suited to its place and the people who will use it.
The result is a building that feels considered, cohesive, and effortless, even though it may have resolved dozens of competing priorities behind the scenes.
The time invested at the beginning of a project isn't about slowing the design process down. It's about creating confidence, reducing uncertainty, and ensuring every decision contributes to a better outcome.
When the right questions are answered early, design becomes more purposeful, construction becomes more efficient, and the finished result often exceeds what seemed possible at the outset.
01
Understand the opportunity
Every site has its own character, opportunities and challenges. By understanding access, services, planning requirements, ground conditions and the wider context early, I can uncover possibilities that shape a stronger design response.
02
Explore the possibilities
With a clear understanding of the project, I begin exploring ideas rather than simply searching for solutions. I'll test different approaches, challenge assumptions and consider how your aspirations, budget, site and construction requirements can come together in a coherent architectural response.
03
Create a clear direction
Once the opportunities have been explored, I'll establish a clear direction for the project. Priorities become clearer, decisions become easier, and the path from concept through to construction becomes more certain.
Architecture
Architecture has the ability to change the way we experience everyday life.
I've been fascinated by architecture and problem-solving from a young age.
Few professions have the opportunity to influence how people experience everyday life while balancing dreams, practical realities, budgets, relationships and the unique opportunities every site presents.
That's what has kept me engaged throughout my career.
My belief is the right design doesn't simply respond to a brief. It uncovers opportunities, solves problems that aren't immediately obvious, and creates spaces that feel natural, effortless and rewarding to live in.
I see my role as combining creativity, experience and technical understanding to help you realise the full potential of your project.
I aim to create buildings that:
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Belong naturally to their site.
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Balance creativity with practicality.
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Translate confidently from concept through to construction.
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Continue to reward their owners for decades to come.
The result is architecture that is inspiring to live in, practical to build, and carefully resolved from the very first idea through to the finished building.
Supporting practices, strengthening outcomes.
Every practice reaches a point where an additional perspective, specialised expertise, or extra capacity can make all the difference.
Whether it's resolving a complex technical challenge, reviewing documentation before consent, mentoring less experienced staff, undertaking a digital scan of an existing building, developing Revit content, or simply providing experienced support during busy periods, I work alongside architectural practices as an extension of their team.
My role is not to replace your capability, but to strengthen it. By bringing practical experience across residential, commercial, and community projects, I help resolve challenges early, improve technical confidence, and support the delivery of well-considered architectural outcomes.
The goal is always to complement the way your practice works while maintaining the relationships you've built with your clients.
The best collaborations are built on trust, shared knowledge, and a common commitment to quality. By providing support where it adds the greatest value, practices can reduce project risk, build capability within their teams, and continue delivering exceptional outcomes with confidence.
From filling temporary capability gaps to providing an experienced second opinion on technically challenging projects, I help practices tackle the work that matters most with greater confidence.
01
3D Laser scanning
I utilise a Leica 3D laser scanner which is a valuable tool for site measuring complex buildings. I prepare 3D point clouds and PDF, Revit or IFC files for use by other Architects, Engineers and MEP specialists.
02
Architectural support and consulting
I provide flexible consulting services to architects, designers and building professionals who need trusted support without the commitment of a permanent hire.
03
Extend your capabilities
My most common consulting service is providing assistance with documentation, technical detailing, consenting, quality assurance, project reviews or specialist investigations. I enjoy integating with bigger teams to provide support where it is needed.
04
Support your team
Mentoring has become a passion of mine. Assisting emerging designers and providing an experienced second opinion on complex projects. I have assisted practices with additional support for graduates' and provided reliable experience to others working on bespoke projects.
Completed Project - Fairways Edge
Designed for owners who value a mature garden setting, tree-lined outlook, all-day sun, and effortless entertaining, this alteration carefully reworks an existing two-level home. The design brings clarity to a previously fragmented arrangement of multiple living areas, bedrooms, and storage.
Upper Hutt
Urban Architecture
2025
Completed Project - Seatoun Sanctuary
In the tightly held seaside suburb of Seatoun in Wellington this bespoke home has been designed for warmth, comfort, style and privacy.
Wellington
Urban Architecture
2010
Completed Project - Alpine Living
In the shadows of the southern alps and the reflection of Lake Tekapo this warm and spacious holiday home has been designed for the owners to spend the day adventuring outdoors and come home to a chilled out entertainers paradise.
Lake Tekapo
High Country Architecture
2021
Residential Alteration feedback
This is the second project I've engaged HWA for. I wouldn't have gone back if I wasn't happy the first time - and this project has been just as successful. Happy to (and frequently do) recommend HWA - just as long as he doesn't get so popular and busy that he can't work on my next projects.
- L Jensen
New Home feedback
From the moment I saw the concept I knew he'd nailed it. We didn't change a thing.
- D. Pelvin
Developer feedback
Hamish has done an amazing job for us designing homes to sell and our own home. We have worked with a number of designers over the years but Hamish's designs have always been spot on. Highly recommend!
-V Floyd
Commercial alteration feedback
Wow, we were expecting some compromise and complications extending our building, the design had no compromises, was achieved around the expected budget and with minimal disruption. Very happy with the result.
- Commercial building owner, Porirua
Commercial alteration feedback
Hamish has taken a simple in theory challenge and navigated the complexity of council, engineers and contractors to enable us to improve our commercial building and increase the rentable space.
-Commercial Landlord, Porirua
Levin - Waitarere Surf Life Saving Club
Nestled into the Horowhenua dunes this new building designed as a Design-Build project for the Surf Lifesaving Club facilitates social interaction, beach safety and sporting excellence.
Completed Project - Waitarere Beach
Community Architecture
2024
Ready to talk about your project?
You don't need to have everything worked out. Tell me what you're considering and we can start from there.
Enquiries are typically responded to within 1 business day during normal business hours.
To see more of what I am up to follow along on my socials.