Architectural Design on the Kāpiti Coast
Custom designed homes and renovations for the Kāpiti Coast lifestyle — from Ōtaki and Te Horo to Waikanae and Paraparaumu.
Designing a house on the Kāpiti Coast
Looking for an architect on the Kāpiti Coast to design your house? You are in the right place. Essence has nearly 30 years of residential architectural design behind it — new homes, renovations and alterations across the Kāpiti Coast District, from Ōtaki, Te Horo and Waikanae in the north to Paraparaumu, Raumati and Paekākāriki on the shoreline. Every house we design is bespoke, shaped around your site, your views towards Kāpiti Island, the coastal sun and wind, and the way your family lives. You work directly with Robyn De La Haye, an award-winning, ADNZ-accredited architectural designer, from the first sketch through to building consent — and real-time 3D visualisation with Revit and Enscape means you can walk through your future home before a single consent is lodged. Whether you are planning a brand new house, an addition, or reworking a tired layout, we would love to hear about your project.
New homes and renovations across the Kāpiti Coast
From Ōtaki and Te Horo in the north, through Waikanae and Paraparaumu, to the coastal settlements in between — we design custom homes and renovations suited to the way people live on the Kāpiti Coast. Every project is custom designed, with pricing by consultation, and you work directly with our licensed architectural designers from first sketch to consent.
Coastal design experience
Beachfront and hillside sites bring their own challenges — sun, wind, views and recession planes. We have designed homes right on the beachfront at Raumati and Waikawa Beach, and hillside homes in Waikanae, framing views to Kāpiti Island and beyond. Real-time 3D visualisation with Revit and Enscape lets you see exactly how your home will sit in its coastal setting before a single consent is lodged.
Explore our new house design services.
Featured Kāpiti Coast projects
Waikanae New Build
Perched high in the Waikanae hills, capturing breathtaking views from Kāpiti Island to the Kaikōura Ranges.
Cedar Clad Beach House
A beachfront home at Raumati with expansive views over the Tasman Sea towards Kāpiti Island.
Beach House Renovation
A complete redevelopment of a Waikawa Beach bach, with a striking interior built around the saved copper fireplace.
Frequently asked questions about house design on the Kāpiti Coast
Do you design new houses on the Kāpiti Coast?
Yes — new house design is at the heart of our practice. We design custom new homes from Ōtaki, Te Horo and Waikanae through Paraparaumu and Raumati to Paekākāriki, taking each one from the first sketch through to building consent.
What's the difference between an architect and an architectural designer?
In New Zealand, both architects and architectural designers design houses and document them for building consent. Architects are registered through the NZRAB, while architectural designers are accredited through bodies such as ADNZ, of which Essence is an accredited member.
Do you handle building consent documentation?
Yes — we prepare complete building consent documentation and manage the Council submission for you, so you work with one team from the first sketch through to consent.
Book a Free Initial Consultation
Every project starts with a free, no-obligation chat about your ideas, site and budget.
Book a Free Initial Consultation