We work closely with our clients, translating their needs into a cohesive design response — enhancing quality of life and contributing to a better built environment.
Arkhē noun
The Greek word refers to "beginning", "origin", "source of action", or "first principle". In Ancient Greek philosophy, arkhē was referred to as the principle of a thing.
We are committed to an architecture with emphasis on that which is essential for human habitation.
Design Philosophy
We believe housing is a universal right and that access to well-designed homes is essential to the quality of life and social cohesion. For us, this ethos directly informs our practice: we design homes with the end-user needs at the forefront.
We work with clients with all budgets. We believe good design is possible with dedicated attention to the human dimension and its relationship with the environment.
Awards
Arkhē is an award-winning practice, with our work recognised by Architectural Designers New Zealand ADNZ awards and The Designers Institute of New Zealand in multiple categories.
2024
Best Awards Finalist
Spatial Residential
ADNZ Bay of Plenty & Waikato Winner
Residential New Home up to 150m2
ADNZ National Finalist
Residential New Home up to 150m2
2023
ADNZ Bay of Plenty Regional Winner
Residential New Home 150-300m2
ADNZ Bay of Plenty Regional Winner
Residential Interiors
ADNZ Bay of Plenty Regional Highly-Commended
Residential New Home up to 150m2
ADNZ National Finalist
Residential New Home up to 150-300m2
Media
HOME magazine - Camping Among the Myrtles
HOME magazine - The New Zealand Architecture Directory 2025
Plain Magazine - The Palm Springs House Pays Homage to Mid-century Modern
Dwell Magazine - Kokako Heights House
ArchDaily - Kokako Heights House
ArchDaily - Palm Springs House
Revere Magazine - Sustainable Design in Tough Times - Pages 38-39
Stuff News - 2024 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards
Best Awards Finalist - Kokako Heights Whare
2024 Waikato and Bay of Plenty Award Winners Announced
Coastal architecture for the next generation from ADNZ Bay of Plenty winners - Stuff News
ADNZ Bay of Plenty and Waikato Award Winners Announced - ADNZ
Sustainability the Key - Business North December 2023 Issue
Kokako Heights Whare - ArchiPro
ADNZ National Finalists - Defign Magazine - Issue 11 2024
ADNZ National Finalists - Defign Magazine - Issue 10 2023
Testimonials
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"Arkhē have been incredible to work with. They really listened and understood who we were and what we love. From a meeting getting to understand us and how we live Diego went away and designed the most incredible home for us ... and for our site. His strengths, aside from having amazing vision and being a creative unique designer, was his ability to respect and truly listen to us and his support through, what at times was, a stressful build. Diego was there right to the end, available to answer contractor queries and help solve issues as they arose. He is very much part of this beautiful home and we have no hesitation in recommending Arkhē"
Kevin and Clare
Kokako Heights House -
"Just wanted to say a sincere thanks to Arkhē for designing our new home. They listened carefully to what we were after and added their design knowledge and experience to create a home that brings us joy every day. We love the different spaces they designed for our family to live, work and be able to host large gatherings in. Full credit to Diego for his creativity - we never tire of the angled entrance, the natural light, the curved brick wall and the window seat that gets all day sun. Fair to say we're beyond happy with the results. Look forward to working with you again in the future and highly recommend."
Diane Berghan and Josh Hepi
Toronia Court House -
For a long time, I lived this house in my head. When my husband and I met Diego, there was no doubt he was the architect to extract our ideas and design a house that would realise the dream. Diego’s passion for expression through originality in his designs, acute desire for visual beauty in simplicity, and his library of knowledge regarding different era architecture around the world; has been realised in this project we now call “home.” It was a pleasure to work with architects who were actively involved in helping solve problems or issues with some of our many requests. Some changes easy and some rather major! It was never a problem. I also want to mention their extensive knowledge of product, what to use and where to use, was particularly helpful, as this was our first build in New Zealand. Once the design was complete, we appointed a building company, and the two parties worked tirelessly together to take the digital images and build the physical reality. Arkhē never let us down. We are thrilled with the results and have no hesitancy in recommending them to anyone who desires something extraordinary or something beautifully simple."
Jane and David Eddy
Palm Springs House -
"Arkhē was recommended to us and has exceeded all expectations. Amazing to deal with and a true talent. We are very appreciative of all they efforts and expertise."
Andrea and David
Te Puna Shed -
"Arkhē team designed such a beautiful house for us. They took the brief and ran with it, delivering us a beautiful watercolour sketch that far exceeded our expectations. They had to take into consideration Extreme High Wind zones, epic views and wanting separate wings. The Arkhē team had some really clever and innovative ideas that really blew our mind and have made our house so unique. Every step of the process has been a breeze and its been a pleasure working with the Arkhē team, a team who were as excited about the project as us. I will recommend Arkhē again and again because our experience was so exceptional."
Jess and Kerian
Welcome Bay House -
"We engaged Arkhē to help us with the design of a holiday home. Being a builder myself, I had my own ideas of what I wanted, however, wanted Arkhē team to be creative and use their own ideas. Only giving they limited information, what they came back with far exceeded our expectations and original designs we had sketched up. I would not hesitate to recommend Arkhē to anyone and will be sure to use them in the future myself."
Nick Turner-Wright
Waihi Bach