The Team

"One of the great beauties of architecture is that each time, it is like life starting all over again."
- Renzo Piano
At Imagine Architecture we believe that architecture should not only be aesthetically pleasing, but also purposeful and meaningful for the people who use it. Our design philosophy is based on a three-tiered, connected approach that prioritizes the human experience at every stage of the process.
At the top of our philosophy is Tier 1: Human-Centered Design, which places people at the heart of everything we do. We strive to understand the unique needs, desires, and preferences of each client, and we use this knowledge to inform every design decision we make.
Tier 2, Purposed & Place, builds upon this foundation by considering the context of the building's location, purpose, and surrounding environment. We believe that architecture should not only be visually striking, but also purposeful and relevant to its intended use and the community it serves.
Finally, at Tier 3, we focus on our 7 Core Design Principles: Beauty, Function, Value, Light, Comfort, Efficiency, and Biophilic. These principles serve as our guideposts for every design decision we make, from selecting materials and finishes to designing spaces that promote well-being and connect people to nature.
We believe that this three-tiered approach to architecture is essential for creating spaces that are not only visually stunning, but also meaningful and purposeful for the people who use them. Thank you for considering Imagine Architecture for your next project.
Tier One - Human Centred Design
Human Centred Design is an overarching philosophy that puts people at the centre of the design process. It focuses on understanding the needs, desires, and behaviours of the people who will ultimately use and inhabit the spaces being designed. By placing human needs at the forefront of the design process, Human Centred Design aims to create spaces that are not only beautiful and functional, but also promote health, wellbeing, and happiness.
At Imagine Architecture, we believe that great architecture has the power to change lives. That's why we are committed to using Human Centred Design principles in all of our projects. Whether we are designing a high quality, healthy home or a commercial space, we always begin by listening to our clients and understanding their needs. From there, we use our expertise and creativity to craft spaces that are not only beautiful and functional, but also promote health, wellbeing, and happiness. Our tagline, "changing lives through great architecture and design", reflects our belief that the spaces we design have the power to make a real difference in people's lives.
Tier Two - Purpose and Place
At Imagine Architecture, we believe that purpose and place are two core architectural principles that underpin our approach to design. Our focus on purpose and place ensures that each project we undertake is not only functional, but also meaningful and connected to its surroundings.
Purpose
At Imagine Architecture, purpose refers to the big picture orientation of each project we undertake. We believe that every building should serve a specific purpose and contribute to the community it serves. Whether we are designing a high-quality, high-performance healthy home or a commercial building, we always start by understanding the purpose of the project.
For our residential work, purpose often involves creating spaces that support the lifestyle and needs of the people who will inhabit them. This means taking into account factors such as the number of people who will live in the home, their daily routines, and any unique needs they may have. We also consider the broader purpose of the home, such as its connection to the surrounding environment and the community it serves.
When it comes to our commercial work, purpose takes on a different meaning. We work closely with our clients to understand the purpose of the building and how it will be used. This could involve designing a retail space that attracts customers and supports sales, or creating a hospitality space that provides a memorable experience for guests. Whatever the purpose, we always strive to create buildings that are not only functional, but also contribute to the success of our clients' businesses.
Place
Place is another core architectural principle at Imagine Architecture. We believe that buildings should be designed with their surroundings in mind, taking into account the unique context of each project. Whether we are working on a residential or commercial project, we always strive to create buildings that are rooted in their place.
For our residential work, this often involves designing homes that are in harmony with their natural surroundings. We take into account factors such as the site's topography, vegetation, and views to create homes that feel connected to the land. We also consider the broader context of the home, such as the local climate, cultural traditions, and architectural heritage.
When it comes to our commercial work, place takes on a different meaning. We work closely with our clients to understand the context of their building, including factors such as the local community, the competition, and the surrounding architecture. This allows us to create buildings that are not only functional, but also contribute to the character of the surrounding area.
Overall, purpose and place are two core architectural principles that underpin our approach to design at Imagine Architecture. By understanding the purpose of each project and the unique context in which it will be built, we are able to create buildings that are not only functional, but also meaningful and connected to their surroundings. Whether we are designing a high-quality, high-performance healthy home or a commercial building, our focus on purpose and place ensures that each project is tailored to the needs of its users and contributes to the community it serves.
Tier Three - Our 7 core design principles
#1 Beauty:
Beauty refers to the aesthetic appeal of a building or space. At Imagine Architecture, we believe that every project should be designed with an eye for beauty, ensuring that the final product is not only functional but also visually pleasing. We strive to create spaces that are both timeless and unique, incorporating elements of form, texture, colour, and proportion to achieve a harmonious balance.
#2 Function:
Function is a crucial aspect of architectural design, and we take it seriously at Imagine Architecture. Our goal is to design spaces that are not only beautiful but also highly functional, meeting the needs and desires of our clients. We work closely with our clients to understand their specific requirements, and we use our expertise to design spaces that are efficient, practical, and effective.
#3 Value:
Value refers to the relationship between the cost of a project and its overall quality and functionality. At Imagine Architecture, we understand that every project has a budget, and we are committed to maximizing the value that our clients receive for their investment. We strive to design spaces that are cost-effective, sustainable, and durable, ensuring that our clients get the most out of their investment.
#4 Light:
Light is a fundamental element of architecture, and we believe that it can have a profound impact on the quality of a space. At Imagine Architecture, we strive to create spaces that are filled with natural light, using windows, skylights, and other design elements to optimize daylighting. We also consider artificial lighting, ensuring that every space is well-lit, functional, and visually appealing.
#5 Comfort:
Comfort is an essential aspect of architectural design, and we believe that it should be a top priority for every project. At Imagine Architecture, we emphasize healthy outcomes as part of the comfort principle, creating spaces that are not only comfortable but also promote health and well-being. We consider factors such as air quality, temperature control, acoustics, and ergonomics, ensuring that every space is designed with the user's comfort in mind.
#6 Efficiency:
Efficiency refers to the ability of a building or space to function optimally while minimizing waste. At Imagine Architecture, we are committed to designing spaces that are efficient and sustainable, using innovative design solutions and materials to minimize energy consumption, reduce water usage, and minimize waste.
#7 Biophilic:
Biophilic design is an approach to architecture that seeks to connect people with nature, incorporating natural elements and patterns into the design of buildings and spaces. At Imagine Architecture, we believe that biophilic design can have a profound impact on the well-being of people, improving their mood, productivity, and overall health. We incorporate natural materials, vegetation, and other design elements into our projects, creating spaces that are not only beautiful but also restorative and rejuvenating.
More about Imagine
Imagine Architecture 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 two bespoke studios for Tony and Steven, giving is a presence in Tauranga and New Plymouth respectively.
“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.
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:
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Residential homes and renovations
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Sustainable and Energy Efficient architecture
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Recreation & Parks facilities
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Apartments & Townhouses
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Mobility design and disabled access
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Retirement homes
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Gymnasia
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Schools & ECE
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Property development & investment units
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Industrial facilities
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Restaurant and retail design
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Shipping Container buildings
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Feasibility Studies
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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.




“I have worked with Tony and his team for the last 10 years doing a mix of tendered and negotiated work and have found their design and information well put together and informative. Communication has always been good and thorough and Tony was always receptive to both the clients and builders’ requests. I would have no hesitation in recommending or referring Tony and his team.”
Andy Cleland – Clelands Construction