about
Bassett-Smith Architecture is a design-led practice focused on creating beautiful, considered, and sustainable homes across New Zealand.
Our work is grounded in careful attention to detail, a restrained aesthetic, and a belief that good architecture should endure - both physically and emotionally. We approach each project as a response to place and the people who will live there, shaping homes that support everyday life with calm and clarity.
Each site brings its own constraints and opportunities, guiding architecture that feels considered rather than imposed. Light, material, and form are carefully balanced to create spaces that feel resolved and quietly cohesive.
Our work considers the building as a whole - from architecture and interiors through to landscape and outdoor spaces - ensuring each project is thoughtful, connected, and complete.
Our practice works across new homes, renovations, and carefully considered additions. We believe the best outcomes come from close collaboration, allowing ideas to develop naturally and result in architecture that feels personal, functional, and refined.
Functionality and architectural clarity are held in balance throughout every project. We take care at every scale - from the overall form to the finer details - ensuring each design responds thoughtfully to its brief, its context, and the people who inhabit it. We value the process as much as the outcome, and enjoy working with people who share a respect for quality and care.
Founded by Lloyd Bassett-Smith, the practice is based in Mount Maunganui and works throughout New Zealand. With over 20 years of architectural experience and a strong background in construction, Lloyd brings a grounded understanding of how buildings are designed, detailed, and built.
As a member of Architectural Designers New Zealand, the New Zealand Green Building Council, and a certified Homestar Designer and Assessor, he remains committed to advancing sustainable, well-crafted architecture that stands the test of time.
Ethos
Our ethos is to design spaces that support the wellbeing of those who live in them - homes that feel calm, considered, and enduring.
Affinity
We value close, collaborative relationships with our clients. Our approach is measured and attentive, working alongside people who appreciate thoughtful design and a process shaped by trust. The result is architecture that feels resolved, personal, and built to last.
Respect
We design with care and intent, responding thoughtfully to each site and its context. Every project is shaped by an understanding of place - honouring landscape, climate, and the unique qualities each location brings.
Nurture
We recognise that building has an environmental impact. Sustainability is therefore considered throughout every project - from passive design principles and material choices to long-term performance and durability. Our aim is to reduce impact by designing buildings that are efficient, responsible, and made to endure.
Intent
We believe the buildings and places around us should be more considered - shaped with care, humanity, and beauty. Architecture has the ability to uplift how we live, connect, and feel, and to do so in ways that endure over time. This intent sits at the heart of everything we do.
process
Close, ongoing contact with our clients is fundamental to how we work. We believe good architecture comes from collaboration, clarity, and shared understanding — maintained at every stage of a project.
Every project begins with a conversation — an opportunity to listen, understand the brief and site, and explore what matters most to you.
From there, our design work follows the Architectural Designers New Zealand (ADNZ) framework, providing a clear and proven structure from initial briefing through to construction.
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DESIGN STAGES
B1 PROJECT ESTABLISHMENT
Briefing with site visit and cost management.
B2 CONCEPT DESIGN
Transfer of brief and site information into design options and ideas.
B3 PRELIMINARY DESIGN
Refinement of the preferred concept, including spatial planning, material direction, and early consideration of interior and landscape relationships.
DOCUMENTATION STAGES
B4 DEVELOPED DESIGN
Development of coordinated architectural, interior, and landscape design, including site planning, floor plans, elevations, and visualisation.
B5 DETAILED DESIGN & DOCUMENTATION
For building consent application.
B6 PROJECT TENDER
Project tender and preparation of documents for contractors to price.
B7 CONTRACT ADMINSTRATION
In tandem with construction progress.
B8 SITE OBSERVATION
To ensure works are in accordance with design.
Structure & tIMELINES
Timelines vary depending on size, complexity and specifics but to provide the most accurate initial advice possible we’ll start by talking the project over, taking onboard your ideas and goals, analysing site surveys, and existing plans if it’s a renovation.
Budget
Cost management is an integral part of our design process. Budgets are established early and monitored throughout each stage, using a structured and transparent approach. As the design develops, costs are regularly tested and refined, with informed adjustments made where required. This ensures the project remains aligned with the agreed budget while protecting the quality, intent, and long-term value of the design.
frequently asked questions
what do you do?
Our work is largely residential but our approach is not defined by building type. We work best with clients who care about quality, good design, and doing things properly, whether the project is small or more complex.
Do you do renovations?
We do. We enjoy the constraints, context, and opportunities that reimagining an existing building bring.
What size projects can you do?
We design a wide range and diversity of projects delivering for clients throughout Aotearoa. Our experience, approach, and time management allows us to easily tackle the task no matter the size and scope.
What about sustainability?
Our philosophy is to leave the planet in better shape for generations to come. This begins with designing homes that perform well through simple, passive principles such as building orientation, natural light, ventilation, and shading.
These fundamentals shape how a home feels and functions every day. As the design develops, we refine performance through considered material choices, improved insulation, and attention to long-term durability.
Where appropriate, we also integrate active systems such as high-performance glazing, efficient heating and cooling, and solar technology.
The result is a home that is not only more efficient and durable, but also comfortable, well-lit, and healthy to live in - with good air quality, natural light, and stable internal temperatures.
What’s the process?
Our process starts with a conversation. We listen, and learn about your lifestyle, budget, tastes and style to carefully formulate a brief and precisely plan the scope of the project. Refer to process page for further information.
How long does it take?
Timelines will vary, depending of course on the scope and size of the project, as well as the availability of builders and contractors.
Are you residential or commercial?
Both! Although our clients are largely people asking us to design them a new home or renovation, we also handle multiple commercial projects. It’s about having a synergy with you, seeing and understanding your vision, and responding to that in a way that aligns with your expectations.
Do you offer interior AND LANDSCAPE DESIGN? AND HOW DOES IT WORK?
Interior and landscape design are considered integral to our architectural process. From the outset, we design the home, its interiors, and its outdoor spaces together, ensuring a cohesive and well-resolved outcome.
We work closely with interior and landscape designers - either in-house or through trusted design partners - depending on the needs of the project. This collaborative approach allows us to respond carefully to your lifestyle, preferences, and the character of the site.
Through coordinated drawings, visualisation, and clear documentation, we ensure interior and landscape decisions are aligned with the architecture, budget, and overall design intent from early in the process.
HOW DO I START?
If you are looking for an Architectural Designer who demonstrates dedication to a simple, clear, and considered design process give us a call.