About HWA
Architecture shaped by experience, curiosity and good decisions
HWA is a small architectural practice based in the Wellington region and working on projects throughout New Zealand.
I founded the practice around a simple idea:
Good architecture starts with understanding the project before assuming the answer.
More than 20 years of experience across homes, commercial buildings, community projects, complex alterations, and challenging sites has taught me that successful projects rarely come from one big design idea. They come from hundreds of decisions made well, with the client, site, budget, construction, and wider outcome kept in view.
My role is to bring those decisions together and help turn complexity into a coherent building.
Hamish Wakefield
Principal Designer & Founder
I've spent more than 20 years working in architectural practice, across projects ranging from small interior alterations to multi-million dollar homes, commercial buildings, and community facilities.
I'm naturally interested in how things work and why decisions are made. That means I tend to ask a lot of questions at the beginning of a project, test assumptions, and look for the underlying issue rather than jumping straight to a design response.
I enjoy working with people who are engaged in their projects and open to working ideas through together.
You don't need architectural knowledge or a finished brief. My job is to bring the architectural experience; you bring an understanding of your life, business, site, and what you're trying to achieve.
The best projects usually sit somewhere between those two things.
WHAT MATTERS TO ME
I care about buildings that work well, use resources thoughtfully, and remain valuable to the people who use them.
That means considering comfort, health, environmental performance, construction, cost, and long term adaptability as connected decisions rather than separate design features.
I don't believe every project needs the same solution, rating system, technology, or architectural style. The right response depends on the people, the place, and what the project genuinely needs.
01
Direct involvement
You work directly with me throughout the project. I remain involved in the design, coordination, and decisions that shape the building.
02
Collaborative by nature
Good projects require different expertise. I work closely with clients, builders, engineers, consultants, and specialists, bringing the right people into the conversation when their knowledge adds value.
03
Technology where it helps
I use BIM, 3D laser scanning, real time visualisation and cloud based coordination to understand projects, test ideas and communicate information more clearly. Technology supports the architectural thinking; it doesn't replace it.