The Sandford Design studio

Home

Studio

Our Approach

It’s about understanding you and your individual space–beyond the drawings.

At Sandford Design, our approach is built on a simple idea: great architectural design starts with really understanding you. We’re not just here to draw plans; we’re here to listen. To understand your lifestyle, your aspirations for your home, how your family uses space, and what makes a place in New Zealand truly feel like yours.

As cousins and design partners, Mark and Phill bring a collaborative spirit to every project. Whether working together or individually, we partner closely with you from the initial chat right through to the final details. We believe the best homes are born from a shared vision, where your ideas inspire our creative and technical expertise.

Every site has its own story – its light, its views, its challenges. We thrive on finding creative solutions, especially for those tricky coastal spots or sections with unique character. Our designs respond thoughtfully to the surrounding environment, aiming to maximise natural light, embrace the outlook, and connect your home seamlessly to its setting. We’re passionate about making spaces work smarter, not just harder, ensuring your new build, alteration, or renovation not only looks stunning but enhances your daily life.

From navigating council consents to considering materials that will stand the test of time and reflect your personal style, we guide you through the complexities of bringing your vision to life. Our goal is more than just beautiful architecture; it’s to create a home that feels right, works perfectly for you, and that you’ll love living in for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

Planning Your Project?
Let's Clear Things Up.

What types of projects do you specialise in?

We’re all about creating exceptional homes right here in New Zealand. Our main focus is on residential architectural design, which includes:

  • New Home Design: Crafting beautiful, functional homes from the ground up, tailored to your lifestyle and site.

  • Alterations & Renovations: Thoughtfully transforming existing spaces to better suit your needs, whether it’s a heritage renovation or a modern update.
We love getting creative with how spaces work, ensuring your home isn't just well-designed, but a joy to live in.

We’ve never worked with an architectural designer before. What’s your design process like?

No worries at all! We pride ourselves on being approachable and making the process clear and collaborative. It typically starts with a good chat to understand your vision, how you live (or want to live), your budget, and the unique aspects of your site.

From there, we’ll develop concept designs, refine them with your feedback, and then move into detailed design and documentation for council consent and construction. We believe in working closely with you every step of the way, ensuring you feel understood and inspired.

Can you help us navigate the council consent process?

Absolutely. Dealing with council consents can feel a bit daunting, but it's a crucial part of any building project in New Zealand.

We have a deep understanding of local building regulations and extensive experience managing consent applications. We’ll guide you through the requirements and handle the submission process, aiming to make it as smooth and straightforward as possible for you.

We have a challenging site (e.g., sloping, coastal, small). Can you still help us create our dream home?

Yes, definitely! We actually quite enjoy the challenge of a tricky site.

Many properties in Auckland and the wider region have unique contours or coastal considerations. We specialise in clever design solutions that work with the land, maximise views and natural light, and make the most of every square metre, turning potential constraints into design opportunities.

What makes Sandford Design a good choice for our project?

We like to think it’s our blend of creative design, practical know-how, and a genuine, personal approach. As cousins, Mark and Phill have a strong, collaborative working relationship.

Being a small, local studio means you work directly with us, ensuring clear communication and a design that’s truly tailored to your family and how you live. We’ve been designing homes in Auckland since 2004, so we bring a wealth of local experience, a passion for creating beautiful, functional living spaces, and a commitment to seeing your vision come to life.

Do you do commercial and industrial architectural design?

Yes, we do! While our passion primarily lies in creating beautiful residential homes across New Zealand, our architectural design expertise is versatile.

We take on select commercial projects where our focus on smart spatial planning and functional design can make a real difference. For example, we’ve recently worked on an office reconstruction following a fire, and the design of a new warehouse and office facility.

If you have a commercial project and appreciate a thoughtful, tailored design approach, we’d be happy to discuss your needs.

Featured Projects

Check out what we’ve been working on.

A Mellons Bay renovation pairing dark contemporary cladding with generous out...

View Project

Bleakhouse Road, Mellons Bay

Category — Renovation

A light-filled renovation in Howick, combining warm timber ceilings, wide win...

View Project

Uxbridge Road, Howick

Category — Renovation

A Mellons Bay renovation stepping across its site with dark cladding, warm ti...

View Project

Cheriton Road, Mellons Bay

Category — Renovation