| 87 T T Kelly Deeks At forefront of regional growth The firm has strong relationships with quality builders, deep local knowledge, and a comprehensive understanding of planning rules. Hurley Architects ARCHITECTURE With interest rates easing and infrastructure investment making satellite towns more attractive, the second half of 2025 is shaping up as a period of growth for residential and commercial development, particularly in Franklin, where Hurley Architects, based in Pukekohe, has a 30-year track record of delivering bespoke homes and complex commercial projects. Headed by experienced architect Jann Hurley and known for its high-end rural and urban designs, the boutique architecture firm is the only NZIA-registered practice between Drury and Hamilton. “Pukekohe is changing rapidly,” says Jann. “We’re seeing a resurgence in lifestyle and rural builds, which had slowed down during the interest rate peak. With rates now dropping, people are picking up those projects they’d previously shelved.” Alongside this rural revival is a noticeable uptick in urban intensification. Apartment and terraced housing developments are gaining momentum in Pukekohe Central, spurred on by the recent reactivation of the electrified train line to Auckland, which offers a reliable, car-free commute for the first time in years. “There’s been a mindset shift,” Jann says. “Where we once had to encourage people to consider building upwards, we’re now seeing more developers embracing higher-density housing. Kainga Ora developments have set the tone, and other developers are now following suit.” Hurley Architects is playing a critical role in this next chapter for the region. From feasibility studies to full-scale design and project management, the firm helps clients unlock the potential of their land, whether that’s a subdivision, an infill development, or a custom dream home. Their strong relationships with quality-focused builders, deep local knowledge, and comprehensive understanding of planning rules set them apart. “We recently had a client wanting to add a minor dwelling, but a land covenant restricted what was possible. These are the kinds of things we pick up early through our processes, saving time and money,” Jann says. The firm’s thorough design systems and decades of checklist development help to navigate the complexities of sites with ageing infrastructure. Every box is ticked before work begins, giving clients peace of mind from the outset. Another factor that sets Hurley Architects apart is its collaborative design approach and focus on quality. “We’re not just drawing plans – we’re deeply invested in making sure the built outcome matches the client’s expectations, especially when dealing with tricky sites and complex rules. We place emphasis on design integrity, clear communication, and proactive project leadership.” A recent commercial project really brought that approach to the fore, with the conversion of an old wooden post ofce in Patumahoe into the new Mr Henry restaurant, bringing the building up to date with fire and earthquake compliance and providing modern customer amenities, all while retaining as much of the original character as possible. The result is a testament to clients’ fortitude as much as Hurley Architects’ own, in navigating the rules versus the reality of what they had to work with. FIND YOUR FIRE 11 Eden Street, Newmarket, Auckland 09 529 5103 stokefires.com vdpconstruction.co.nz We specialise in high quality, architectural home builds.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NDc2Mzg=