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My path to being an 'Architect'. Chapter 3 - Does that mean a fee increase?
Does becoming a registered Architect mean higher fees? Not necessarily. Registration adds professional obligations and modest costs, but architectural fees are usually driven by experience, project complexity, and the level of service provided rather than the title itself.

Hamish Wakefield
Mar 102 min read
My path to being an 'Architect'. Chapter 2 - What even is an Architect?
In New Zealand the title Architect is legally protected under the Registered Architects Act 2005. Only those registered with the NZRAB can use it professionally. This article explains why the title matters and how it protects professional standards and public trust.

Hamish Wakefield
Mar 103 min read
My path to being called an 'Architect'. Chapter 1 - Why bother?!
What does it actually mean to be called an Architect in New Zealand? Under the Registered Architects Act 2005 the title is legally protected, requiring formal registration through the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. After more than two decades working in architectural practice and running small firms, I’ve begun the process of seeking registration through an experience-based pathway rather than the traditional university and graduate route. This article explores why

Hamish Wakefield
Mar 104 min read
“It’s just a bathroom”… So why all the drawings?
Why do small renovations need detailed building consent drawings? Why documented compliance with the New Zealand Building Code affects renovation design and project costs.

Hamish Wakefield
Mar 102 min read
How architects influence construction costs
Building projects have a habit of humbling everyone involved in them. On paper a project can look tidy, rational, even elegant. Then the real world arrives with its material prices, labour pinches, engineering constraints, local council requirements and the laws of physics. Somewhere in that messy intersection sits the actual cost of construction. One of the most common misunderstandings in building projects is the role we play in that equation. As the designers we can influe

Hamish Wakefield
Mar 63 min read


Managing Council Approvals
How HWA manages council approvals

Hamish Wakefield
Mar 62 min read
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