Rayner Architectural Design Ltd

02/04/2026

The small house being constructed in our clients backyard is progressing fast with the Weathertex Weathergroove Woodsman & Weathergroove Smooth cladding, Colorsteeel MAXAM roofing and APL Residential Series ThermalHeart+ windows and doors being installed.
&construction

01/02/2026

Construction has started on one of our smaller inter-generational builds at only 60m2 in the back yard of the main house.
for the photo

01/02/2026

Its been a while since our last post but what a start to the new year. The phone is ringing and people are wanting work done on their houses or even wanting a new one!! If the first 4 weeks of the year are anything to go by its going to be a busy one.

Here is a sketch of a project we have been working on for while and its in the final stages of the working drawings. This will be the biggest residential new-build we have undertaken. Watch this space!!

04/11/2025

Wanting a Granny Flat?

We work closely with Urban Edge Planning to make sure all the basic background checks are in place before we start the design.

Here is some sage advise from

'Granny Flat' - Minor Residential Unit - Building Act

The 'Granny Flat' process has passed through the parliament and is now part of the Building Act 2004. The messaging around this legislative change has been quite loose and somewhat incorrect at times. So everyone is clear, you cannot just go and construct a granny flat in your backyard in early 2026. There are still a process to go through. This includes:

Having a designer on board
- Submitting a Project Information Memorandum to the Council
In some instances the PIM may identify that a building consent is needed. There are some particular catches around natural hazards, which we suspect will trigger the building consent process;

- Obtaining resource consent, if it is required. In relation to this point, there will be a new Minor Residential Unit National Environmental Standard released shortly. If the granny flat (minor residential unit) does not comply with the rules in this standard, or if the site is in a District Plan overlay that has a rule trigger, or does not comply with the earthworks standards (as well as some other District Plan wide standards), then resource consent will still be needed.

-To those who are saying they are going to build multiple 70m2, buildings. Sorry the limit is only one per site.

- The builder still needs to construct to the building code;
Development Contributions and Financial Contributions (if applicable) are still payable;

- You need to notify the council when the construction works are completed and provide them with the required documentation.

All this process has done is cut out the building consent and the building inspections aspect of the process, as well as standardise the bulk and location rules across the country. It is not a free for all, as being portrayed by some on social media and this is feeding public and builders expectations.

I would strongly recommend if you would like to construct a minor residential unit that is 70m2 or less, that you get in touch and we can let you know if a resource consent is needed.

Send a message to learn more

23/10/2025

We were engaged by EF Construction to design a curved deck for this house refurbishment to take in the sweeping views of the Pāuatahanui Inlet.

25/09/2025

24/09/2025

Another project where the wall was removed to open up the kitchen to the living area. Let the sunshine in!

17/09/2025

Lyall Bay Multi-purpose garage completed. The garage doubles as a games room. Other features of this project include a re-modelled primary bedroom with walk in robe and ensuite and a WFH office. It utilises underground water tanks in the front yard to save valuable outdoor play space for the kids.

15/09/2025

Latest photos of the Karori Garage. It's almost finished and now useable with the completion of the kerb crossing and deck. The clients are thrilled to get their cars off the road and safe in the new garage and on the car deck.

And yes you are not going mad it is wider at the front than it is at the back....got to love those tight Wellington sites!

10/09/2025

Not every project is straight forward or award winning. Some are just necessary maintenance, a result of no maintenance, a result of a failed cladding system or a combination of all 3. The 'suspect' cladding on this house is being replaced to obtain a CCC that was forgotten about in the midst of time (about 26 years). This corner has had to be reframed.

Maintain your house and get the Code Compliance Certificate as soon as the job is finished.

07/09/2025

Mana Laundromat is another RAD project that is a little bit different. This is our 2nd laundromat fit out. So get on down to Mana Laundromat located at 107a Mana Espanade, Porirua and try out their state of the art machines. Locally owned and operated!