| 79 Daniel Marshall Architects ARCHITECTURE Absolute Construct are multiple award winning builders with a reputation for quality construction, attention to detail and excellent client communication. The team at Absolute Construct have been carrying out quality new builds and renovation projects in the greater Auckland area since 1994. From small renovations to complete new builds, size and scope are no object. The most important factor of any project we undertake is the client. CON TA C T P r o u d l y S u p p o r t i n g D a n i e l Ma r s h a l l A r c h i t e c t s Office 09 366 3039 | Mobile 027 577 3430 4 Maidstone St, Grey Lynn Auckland 1021 www.absoluteconstruct.co.nz Architects adding value to both design and build Architecturally designed buildings in the 2020s tend to be complex, often requiring details to be refined and countless decisions to be made as the build progresses. T T Kelly Deeks “Having such a great team with that continuity of knowledge is invaluable, both for the communication within the team of potential things that can trip you up, but also for the refinement of the design ideology.” Founder of Daniel Marshall Architects (DMA) and his diverse team of highly skilled individuals have complementary skills, all of which they enjoy bringing together for their clients’ benefit. Daniel established his Auckland-based practice 28 years ago, and says for the last six years the team has remained largely unchanged, apart from various people taking maternity leave. “Having such a great team with that continuity of knowledge is invaluable, both for the communication within the team of potential things that can trip you up, but also for the refinement of the design ideology,” he says. “Because we’ve worked together over a period of time we’re all heading in the same direction, which gives us a clarity of purpose, while enjoying architecture as a creative process together.” Part of that purpose is to add value, not only with the design but also with the build process itself. There are three strands to the services offered by architects: the design and other work leading into the consented drawings; the administration of the construction contract between the client and the builder, verifying invoices and so on; and observation to ensure that the work is being done in compliance with the contract documents, and answering all the RFI’s (Requests For Information). Architecturally designed buildings in the 2020s tend to be complex, often requiring details to be refined and countless decisions to be made as the build progresses. Daniel believes that it’s during the last 10% of the work on-site that the magic happens, which is why having the architect involved in the observation of the build is essential, he explains. “It’s the stuff that happens on-site, being able to work through those decisions with a team of craftspeople who’ve been doing it all their lives – that’s where the magic happens that makes the difference between an average project and a sublime project. There’s a real value to having the team involved from beginning to end.” DMA often suggests to clients that they employ an independent project manager to administer the contract, while they concentrate on the observation. If they are not fully involved in the build observation they don’t go to the site at all. “Because if the client changes something and you’ve been there then you’re seen as liable, but if you’re not aware because you haven’t been there you can’t be held responsible,” Daniel explains. Nevertheless his overwhelming preference, to give his clients the best possible result, is to be involved in the process from end to end. Daniel has been practising architecture for long enough to have not only repeat, but in some cases multi-generational clients. Recently, DMA worked closely with the son of clients Daniel had designed a home for on Waiheke Island some years ago. The second-generation project involved two houses on a large site in Auckland’s Kohimarama, both of which used the same technology of clay blocks. This is new to New Zealand, but common around the world: a choice of materials that came about in large part due to Covid shortages. “It’s an Ian Athfield homage you could say,” says Daniel. “Using a single material exterior like he did in the ’70s. It’s different from every other house in Kohi, the clients are absolutely delighted, and so are we, to be part of a multigenerational design legacy.” The first of the two houses has just won the Home magazine’s City House of the Year Award 2026. It’s the latest in a steady flow of awards won over the years and a good advertisement for what Daniel believes is a building material that has a lot of potential in the New Zealand housing market, especially when the regulations have adapted more readily to its use.
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