| 65 T T Rosa Watson Cultural approach sets firm apart Devani Architecture specialises in people-centric architecture, with a portfolio that spans a diverse range of project types, including bespoke renovations, family homes, multi-unit housing, religious and community buildings, commercial fitouts, and industrial projects. ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN Devani Architecture A Wellington-based architectural firm is leading with cultural grounding and sustainability in its approach to planning and design. Devani Architecture specialises in people-centric architecture, with a portfolio that spans a diverse range of project types, including bespoke renovations, family homes, multi-unit housing, religious and community buildings, commercial fitouts, and industrial projects. It supports clients through the entire process, offering services across early feasibility, site strategy, concept development, resource and building consent documentation, consultant coordination, and construction-phase support. Director Hardik Devani and his brother, Vijay Devani, lead the practice as director and associate, supported by architectural graduates and technicians who contribute to design development, detailed documentation, compliance work, and visualisation. A key strength of the practice is its consultant network that includes structural, fire, geotechnical, civil, planning, and specialist advisor, Hardik says. “This collaborative model allows our practice to remain agile while still delivering the depth, rigour, and coordination typically found in much larger firms.” He says good architecture must serve people first, respond intelligently to its environment, and perform well over its entire lifespan. “Sustainability is central to how we design, and the firm approaches it through a practical and aesthetic lens. “Rather than adding unnecessary complexity or cost, we focus on the fundamentals of designing for solar orientation and passive environmental performance, selecting durable, low-maintenance materials, planning layouts that adapt to future family or commercial needs, and making decisions that reduce longterm carbon impact and financial cost. “We work closely with planners, engineers, mana whenua, builders, and specialist consultants from the earliest stages of a project.” The studio’s cultural grounding also plays a meaningful role in the practice’s work. Hardik’s background in Architecture and Mātauranga Māori shapes the way the team consider land, community, and environmental stewardship. “We take care to understand the story of a place - its constraints, history, and potential — and we design with that narrative in mind.” Hardik founded the practice in 2020 with a small, hands-on studio where everyone wore multiple hats, and client communication all happened around the same table. As the practice grew, the team grew to take on an expanding range of residential, commercial, and multi-unit housing projects. However, the economic climate of recent years, combined with Hardik’s commitment to academic studies - led the firm to refine and scale back to a more compact team. He says this period of consolidation strengthened the practice. “It sharpened our systems, clarified our design philosophy, and reinforced the importance of remaining agile while maintaining high design and technical standards.” Today, the practice operates as a focused, collaborative, capability-driven studio. Recent work spans $200,000 renovations through to $5 million cultural projects. One standout project is a $2 million multigenerational family home - a three-storey hillside house was built using engineered timber, steel framing, and durable fibre-cement claddings. The steep site presented numerous challenges and required close coordination with structural and geotechnical engineers. Another significant project was producing designs for a temple redevelopment of approximately $4 million that blends traditional architectural form with modern seismic and accessibility requirements. “The highlight was reimagining an important community landmark while respecting the principles of Vastu and the formal language of Nagara-style temple architecture,” Hardik says. The challenge was in balancing cultural, council, and spiritual requirements within New Zealand’s compliance framework. This practice is also involved in the early phases of several medium-density housing projects in the $2 million to $3 million range. Hardik says housing design in New Zealand is shifting toward smarter, more efficient, and more adaptable living environments. “We are seeing increasing demand for medium-density solutions, multigenerational living arrangements, cost-efficient construction methods, and homes that perform better environmentally. “Climate resilience, reduced lifecycle costs, and long-term durability are also becoming fundamental expectations rather than optional extras.” He says land is becoming harder to develop land, infrastructure capacity is tightening, and council compliance frameworks continue to evolve. “This means the future of housing will rely on design approaches that maximise every square metre, integrate sustainability in practical ways, and respond intelligently to site constraints.” Devani Architecture is helping meet these future demands by focusing on early feasibility, passive design, and adaptable planning strategies across all our projects. “Ultimately, we see the future of housing as a balance between good design, practical delivery, and long-term performance, and our role is to bring all three together in a way that supports families, communities, and the land they live on.” Book a free-consultation now! bring your ideas to light info@inlucem.co.nz (+64) 220 156 096 Structural Design • 3D Static & Dynamic Structural Analyses • Seismic Assessment & Strengthening Focus Engineering Consultants are proud to support Devani Architecture
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