80 | Slate & Rouxel Construction Showcase of company’s multiple talents T T Karen Phelps BUILDING Slate Construction is shining a spotlight on its architectural division with the completion of ARMADA, a rural residence in Kairanga, Manawatū. Slate brand and marketing manager Heinrich Swartz says the project, designed by Slate Studio and recently highlighted in Distinctive Designs Magazine 2025, exemplifies the company’s commitment to refined, context-driven architecture and its growing reputation as a multi-disciplinary design and construction group operating across the Central and Lower North Island. ARMADA reflects the essence of what we do,” he says. “It’s a project shaped by restraint, balance and an intimate understanding of location. The home captures our design philosophy – timeless, functional and deeply connected to its environment. The project demonstrates Slate’s ability to bring architectural clarity to even the most complex sites, creating spaces that feel both grounded and elevated.” The ARMADA home is defined by a classic H-shaped floor plan connecting three interlocking gables. Crafted from schist, natural timber and high-performance aluminium, the structure anchors itself into the open rural landscape, Heinrich says. “Expansive glazing draws in light and frames the plains of Kairanga, while deep eaves and sheltered courtyards offer passive environmental control. Inside, hard flooring, skylights, and high-end joinery create a calm, warm and tactile living experience,” he says. Although ARMADA was built by Rouxel Construction, it was Slate’s architectural team that shaped the vision. “Our role was to design a contemporary rural residence that respected tradition without replicating it,” says Heinrich. “We focused on proportion, materiality and the way light moves through the home. Everything was designed to feel intentional.” He says the project also illustrates what sets Slate apart in a competitive industry. “Slate is far more than a construction company; it is a multi-disciplinary group bringing architectural design, construction management, feasibility and project delivery under one roof. Its integrated model allows it to control every stage of a project, from planning and design through to construction and care afterwards, with a single point of accountability.” This approach underpins Slate’s promise of clarity, certainty, and cohesion. “Transparency isn’t a slogan for us,” explains Heinrich. “It’s the way we build trust.” Every project begins with a Fixed Price Construction Contract prepared by in-house quantity surveyors, offering clients detailed cost breakdowns and eliminating unexpected extras. Heinrich says this model enables clients to move forward with confidence, knowing exactly what the project will cost and how it will unfold. Slate’s services span residential and commercial construction, including new homes, renovations, extensions, fit-outs and general construction. It also offers full planning and feasibility assessments, design consultations and value-engineering strategies that optimise efficiency without reducing design integrity. Central to its identity is the belief that smaller communities should have access to high-quality architecture and construction at exceptional value. With nearly 30 years of industry experience behind its leadership, the company operates from three full-service studios in New Plymouth, Levin and Tauranga. Each studio delivers comprehensive architectural design, construction management, project delivery and resource consent support, serving regions from Waikato through Taranaki, Manawatū, Horowhenua, and into Wellington and the Bay of Plenty. Across its services, Heinrich says Slate is driven by collaboration and craftsmanship. The ARMADA home is defined by a classic H-shaped floor plan connecting three interlocking gables. “Our team brings together architects, designers, builders, project managers and delivery specialists, who operate as one cohesive group. Our people are our greatest strength. They’re creators, problem-solvers and craftspeople. That diversity is what enables us to push boundaries while delivering projects that stand the test of time.” 06 355 0556 | www.preferredplumbing.co.nz Preferred Plumbing are proud to support Slate & Rouxel Construction Plumbing • Gasfitting • Drainlaying AT KITCHENS BY HEALEY LTD P: 06 355 4646 E: info@kitchensbyhealey.co.nz 127 Keith Street, Palmerston North mastercraft.co.nz We are also manufacturers of custom made cabinets or shelving for bathrooms, laundries & wardrobes • Quality assured with a 10 year guarantee
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