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Best Architects in Wellington

We assessed 20 architects in Wellington and ranked the top 5 on their public review record: rating quality, review volume and how recent the reviews are. No business can pay for a place in these rankings. Last updated 19 July 2026. How we rank →

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Before you hire

Only NZRAB-registered architects can legally use the title Architect; architectural designers are unregulated and often cheaper for standard residential work. Hire a registered architect for complex sites, multi-storey work, heritage, or commercial projects. Ask for a written fee proposal broken down by design stage, and request to see comparable recent projects.

Top 5 Architects in Wellington

The top 5 architects in Wellington are Makers of Architecture, Lovell & O'Connell Architects, Arête Architects, Modal Architecture, and Upoko Architects, ranked by Top5 score. Scroll for our take on each, plus what to ask before you hire.

  • 1

    Makers of Architecture

    ★ 4.9 19 reviews Top5 Score 137
    5★ 18 3★ 1

    Hire them if you have a complex section or unusual build constraints, as the team demonstrates skill navigating topography, light, wind and site-specific problems. They adapt project scope mid-course without friction, and spend time upfront understanding how your family actually lives before designing.

    Reviews most often describe: Residential homes on challenging sites needing adaptive design

    • ✓ Listens to family rhythms before designing
    • ✓ Adapts scope and solutions when circumstances change
    • ✓ Navigates steep sections and challenging sites

    location_on Level 1/16 Jessie Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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  • 2

    Lovell & O'Connell Architects

    ★ 5.0 16 reviews Top5 Score 136
    5★ 16

    Hire them for residential projects where you need design that works visually and functionally without unnecessary cost. Ana and Tim listen closely to what clients want, then add considered design input, and continue supporting clients after the build is complete.

    Reviews most often describe: Residential renovations and new builds where design balance matters

    • ✓ Listens to brief, adds design direction
    • ✓ Creative solutions to physical constraints
    • ✓ Post-build follow-up advice included

    location_on 11B Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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  • 3

    Arête Architects Ltd.

    ★ 5.0 14 reviews Top5 Score 134
    5★ 14

    Hire them for projects where design needs to solve practical site constraints while meeting your vision. Sam and Jonny stay involved through construction, troubleshooting cost and aesthetic trade-offs as they arise rather than handing off at consent stage.

    Reviews most often describe: Residential new builds and renovations on challenging sites

    • ✓ Guides clients through consent process
    • ✓ Proposes solutions during construction phase
    • ✓ Designs for steep or constrained sites

    location_on 50/70 Kingsford Smith Street, Lyall Bay, Wellington

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  • 4

    Modal Architecture

    ★ 5.0 14 reviews Top5 Score 134
    5★ 14

    Hire them if you want someone to handle consent paperwork and council liaison without requiring constant direction from you. Sam and the team iterate quickly on design feedback and produce documentation that councils accept with minimal revision requests.

    Reviews most often describe: Residential renovations and new builds needing council consent

    • ✓ Manages council consent applications end-to-end
    • ✓ Iterates designs rapidly based on client feedback
    • ✓ Liaises directly with builders during construction

    location_on Level 1/43 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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  • 5

    Upoko Architects

    ★ 5.0 14 reviews +2 Top5 Score 134 +2
    5★ 14

    Hire Upoko if you're uncertain about what you want and need someone to listen carefully, then translate your lifestyle needs into a design that works first time. James attends site during critical building stages to ensure architectural intent is actually realised on the ground.

    Reviews most often describe: Residential renovations and extensions where brief is still forming

    • ✓ Translates vague briefs into finished designs without major revisions
    • ✓ Attends site at critical construction stages to verify details
    • ✓ Works through building consent process without client having to chase

    location_on 11b Tory Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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Before you hire an architect in Wellington

Drawn from 88 customer reviews collected for this page. The first answer is what it costs.

What do architects and architectural designers typically charge in New Zealand? expand_more

Registered architects charge between $150 and $300 per hour, while architectural designers sit lower at $100 to $200 per hour. For a full-service residential build, expect architect fees of 8% to 15% of construction cost, and designer fees of 6% to 12%. On a $500,000 build, that means roughly $40,000 to $75,000 for a registered architect across all stages. Scope differences drive that gap: designers often exclude construction observation, carry less detailed documentation obligations, and hold different insurance requirements.

Do I need a registered architect or will an architectural designer do? expand_more

The title 'architect' is legally protected in New Zealand and only NZRAB-registered practitioners can use it, so check that status before engaging anyone who uses the title. For standard residential renovations or straightforward new builds, the Building Act 2004 does not require a registered architect, and a competent architectural designer can prepare and submit consent documentation legally. For complex sites, heritage buildings, multi-storey construction, or commercial projects, the regulated accountability framework that comes with NZRAB registration, including a formal disciplinary process and mandatory professional indemnity insurance, is worth the higher fee. If you go with a designer, look for ADNZ membership as a quality signal, since the title itself carries no qualification requirement.

Who actually does the design work, the principal or a junior? expand_more

In smaller practices, reviews show the principal is often hands-on through concept and consent stages, which reduces the risk of the brief getting lost in delegation. Larger firms may have a senior architect shape the concept, then hand detailed design and documentation to graduates or technicians, which can create gaps if communication between staff is inconsistent. Before signing, ask directly who will attend your meetings, who produces the drawings, and who reviews them before they leave the office.

What are the warning signs of an architect you shouldn't hire? expand_more
  • –Fee proposals that list a lump sum with no stage breakdown give you no visibility over what you are paying for or when.
  • –No mention of professional indemnity insurance in early conversations is a red flag, especially on complex or high-value projects.
  • –Reluctance to share references or completed projects of similar scope suggests a limited track record in work like yours.
  • –Slow responses to council queries during the consent process can stall your project for weeks and often signals a capacity problem.
  • –A design that comes back significantly over your stated budget, without early warning or an explanation of the cost drivers, points to poor cost awareness during the design phase.
  • –An architect who does not engage with your builder during construction leaves expensive detailing decisions to people who may not understand the design intent.
What should you ask before engaging an architect? expand_more
  • –Ask to confirm current NZRAB registration by checking the NZRAB public register directly, not just taking their word for it.
  • –Request a written fee proposal broken down by stage: concept, developed design, consent documentation, and construction observation.
  • –Ask for contact details for two recent clients whose projects were similar in scope and budget to yours, then actually call them.
  • –Clarify upfront who will attend your design meetings, who produces the drawings day to day, and who signs off on documentation before it goes to council.
  • –Ask how they handle a design that prices over budget at quantity surveyor review, and what their process is for redesigning without charging you full fees again.
  • –Confirm in writing whether site observation during construction is included in the quoted fee or charged separately, as this varies widely between practices.

Architects ranked 6 to 10 in Wellington

They scored below the top 5 on the same public review record.

  • 6

    Designgroup Stapleton Elliott

    ★ 4.9 11 reviews Top5 Score 130
    5★ 10 4★ 1

    Reviews highlight a creative and skilled team, but lack specific detail about project outcomes, timelines, or how this firm differs from other architectural practices. Without concrete examples of completed work or client situations, it's difficult to assess what type of architectural project they handle best.

    • ✓ Team noted as approachable and friendly
    • ✓ Studio workspace designed to their own standards
    • ✓ Creative problem-solving approach valued by clients

    location_on Level 1/318 Lambton Quay, Wellington Central, Wellington

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  • 7

    studio MWA

    ★ 5.0 9 reviews Top5 Score 128
    5★ 9

    location_on 47 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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  • 8

    Studio Pacific Architecture

    ★ 4.8 9 reviews Top5 Score 126
    5★ 7 4★ 2

    location_on Level 2/74 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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  • 9

    Vorstermans Architects

    ★ 4.8 8 reviews Top5 Score 125
    5★ 6 4★ 2

    location_on 3 Blair Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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  • 10

    Parsonson Architects

    ★ 5.0 6 reviews Top5 Score 123
    5★ 6

    We generate summaries once a business has enough reviews for a reliable sample.

    location_on 181 Cuba Street, Te Aro, Wellington

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About this ranking

How are the top architects in Wellington chosen? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for architects in Wellington. Each one is scored on its public rating and review record. Businesses outside the area, or whose reviews describe a different line of work, are left out. See how we rank for the full method.

How often are rankings updated? expand_more

Every category and city is recrawled on a rolling cycle, about once a month. This page was last checked on 19 July 2026.

Can a business pay to appear in this list? expand_more

No. Top 5 and Also Recommended positions are merit-only and cannot be purchased. Verifying a business is free. A subscription adds a website link on the card, a public profile page, and competitor and ranking history in the owner's dashboard, none of which affects ranking position. See what a subscription includes.

Why isn't my business listed? expand_more

We build this page from Google Maps results for architects in Wellington. The usual reasons for missing out are a Google Business category that does not match, too few reviews to score near the top, or an address outside the area we cover. At the last update, the smallest review count among the 10 businesses listed here was 6. Check where you rank or read how rankings work.