| 79 T T Anne Boswell Ensure technical expertise and ethics When you set out to create your dream home, whether from scratch or through carefully executed renovations, using a registered architect provides peace of mind that the professional engaged has met New Zealand’s highest standards for the practice and process of ‘getting buildings built’. Award-winning registered architect Sam Martin, who started his practice Foundation Architects 17 year ago, says these standards involve technical expertise, practical and experiential knowledge, and ethical practices. “We as architects are accountable for upholding these standards,” he says. Foundation Architects’ portfolio primarily features owner-occupied residential new homes or alterations, in addition to some commercial and hospitality projects. One of these projects, the earthquake strengthening and building refurbishment of 191 Cuba Street, Wellington, was runner up in the commercial exterior section at the Resene Total Colour Award in 2023. “As part of the building’s refurbishment, it also got a new paint scheme,” Sam says. “It is a Category 2 heritage building, and a project that we really enjoyed working on.” Sam says understanding the distinction between a registered architect and an architectural designer is especially important when a client wants an overall service that goes beyond the level of simple design, resulting in a set of plans. “As registered architects, the services we provide are usually end-to-end and don’t conclude when the building consent is issued,” Sam says. “This involves ensuring that what we design can be built for the clients budget; gaining all the required consents and approvals; finding suitable builders if required; ensuring that an appropriate construction contact is put in place, and then ensuring the contract is followed through and that the consented works achieve a Code Compliance Certificate, with any identified defects rectified.” Typically, one becomes a Registered Architect first through completing a five-year course of study to gain a Master of Architecture (Professional) – formerly a five-year Bachelor of Architecture – and then undertaking at least 5,250 verified hours of work experience to gain the requisite experience. After this, the student can apply to sit their registration exam, called the ‘Professional Conversation’, with the NZRAB. Once they have passed the Conversation, they may call themselves a ‘registered architect’ or ‘architect’. An architectural designer, on the other hand, may or may not hold university qualifications; they must, however, be registered as a Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) in a Design class in order to submit building consents for residential building projects. LBP Designers have either a Level 1, 2, or 3 design license that relates to the type and complexity of projects they are allowed to undertake, whilst Registered Architects hold the equivalent of a Level 3 license. “There is potentially a vast difference in both the qualifications and the experience of an architectural designer with an LBP Design Level 1 or 2 licence and a registered architect, which is the category that most residential builds will fall into,” Sam says. Using a registered architect can not only help avoid a project falling short of expectations, but ensure the full scope of service – from design to building - can be offered. Foundation Architects ARCHITECTURE Structural Design • 3D Static & Dynamic Structural Analyses • Seismic Assessment & Strengthening Focus Engineering Consultants are proud to support Foundation Architects on another successful project. We offer our clients complete project management and on the job co-ordination for all their joinery requirements: • Kitchens • Laundry • Timber windows and doors • Bookcases From a free measure and quote service to 3D computer design using your ideas or working from plans, we can develop exactly what you want. 06 304 9137 | www.petes.co.nz | office@petes.co.nz We are open Monday to Friday so please feel free to call into our showroom at 205 Main Street, Greytown. KITCHENS TIMBER JOINERY Manufactured JMF Standard NZS4211 Affiliated PROJECT MANAGEMENT “Congratulations to Sam and his Team, it is a pleasure to be involved with such a professional business” WAIRARAPA AND WELLINGTON BATHROOM AND HOME RENOVATION SOLUTIONS FOR OVER 25 YEARS We use only Qualified and Certified Tradesmen and our work is covered by a 10 year guarantee. GET IN TOUCH TO FIND OUT MORE TOLL FREE: 0800 947 461 info@precisedesign.co.nz www.precisedesign.co.nz 205 MAIN STREET GREYTOWN Renovations Alterations Bathrooms Building Consents & Project Management PRECISE DESIGN AND BUILD PROUDLY SUPPORTS SAMMARTIN AT FOUNDATION ARCHITECTS 56 Central Terrace exterior. Photo by Sam McLennan.
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