88 | The small details make designs work This expansive house has many notable features, including large internal windows that show the schist rock behind the structure on the first floor, and feature lighting to set off the natural rock and anchors. NJS Architecture T T Aimee Wilson “I am very focused on listening to my clients’ needs and brief, no matter how small the detail is, as it can be those small details that make the design work well for the client.” ARCHITECTURE The designer of an executive four-storey home on Queenstown Hill has incorporated an impressive window into the design, which exposes a striking rock face for the owners to enjoy. Offering views out over Lake Wakatipu and Queenstown Bay, this expansive house has many notable features, including large internal windows that show the schist rock behind the structure on the first floor, and feature lighting to set off the natural rock and anchors. Having started his training in the UK, designer Neil Slater, director of NJS Architecture, has over 30 years’ experience working on residential and commercial projects in Australia, Bermuda and Queenstown. After settling in New Zealand in 2006, Neil became a director of Michael Wyatt Architect Ltd and worked on numerous high-end residential and commercial projects around Queenstown Lakes, such as the Remarkables ski base building and the current Skyline gondola project. His own business was established in 2019 in Riverton, and since then he has built up a strong team, including architectural technicians and a landscape designer. From house additions to multi-million-dollar executive homes and commercial projects, including site management, Neil has been in the architectural design industry since 1998, and thrives on challenges. Another recent project he enjoyed working on was a seaside villa in Riverton, Southland, where the owners joined two large plots of land together, to create a new building footprint. “This project was a modern take on a villa, sitting on a corner site with commanding views both over the estuary and the ocean,” Neil says. NJS Architecture ensures every project is custom-designed for the client, and the team is thorough and transparent, giving a fresh approach to the process. “I am very focused on listening to my clients’ needs and brief, no matter how small the detail is, as it can be those small details that make the design work well for the client.” Neil says he is very conscious of budget, and taking small steps through each part of the process to make sure all goals and briefs are met. The construction industry has been challenging in recent years, but Neil says the market in 2025 was far more balanced, making it easier to find land without feeling rushed or paying too much. “It’s also a favourable time to build in New Zealand, due to lower interest rates, stabilised and competitive building costs, and more efficient council processes, all of which create a more stable and affordable environment for new builds. “It is a wonderful feeling to own your own custom-design architectural home, especially when mortgage rates are similar to monthly rent repayments,” he says. The future of the business looks bright, and NJS Architecture will continue to provide high-quality, uniquely designed projects for clients. “The company started as a one-man band, but through hard work building a reliable and quality reputation, the company has grown to a team of six skilled people. “From here, the sky is the limit and we will continue to evolve.” Email: info@gmdesigns.co.nz Phone: 03 218 8910 Website: www.gmdesigns.co.nz Structural, Geotechnical, Civil & Architectural Design Proudly Supporting NJS Architecture For all your building design needs, GM Designs delivers complete residential, commercial & rural solutions from concept to completion
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