Locations
Residential Design Across Christchurch and the South Island
Choice Architecture is based in Christchurch and works with homeowners across Canterbury and the wider South Island of New Zealand. While many of our projects are located in Christchurch and North Canterbury, we regularly undertake residential commissions in regional, rural, coastal, and alpine settings.
Our approach remains consistent regardless of location — thoughtful site response, clear planning, and a structured design process — adapted carefully to suit the specific landscape and planning context of each region.
Christchurch
As a Christchurch-based residential design studio, the city remains our primary focus and anchor market. We have extensive experience working across Christchurch’s urban, suburban, and hillside environments — including new homes, infill sites, Port Hills properties, and established neighbourhoods.
We are highly familiar with Christchurch City Council planning requirements, zoning controls, and consent processes. This local knowledge allows us to guide projects efficiently from concept through to consent-ready documentation, reducing uncertainty and helping clients move forward with confidence.
Our bespoke Christchurch projects reflect a consistent response to site conditions, outlook, and everyday liveability — whether on hillside sections or within established suburban neighbourhoods.
Whether designing a family home within the city or responding to a complex sloping site, our focus remains on clarity, liveability, and long-term durability.
North Canterbury & Rural Canterbury
Beyond Christchurch, we regularly design homes across North Canterbury and the wider Canterbury region, including lifestyle blocks, rural properties, and exposed sites with long-range views.
These projects often require careful consideration of wind, orientation, shelter, and infrastructure. Our experience designing lifestyle and rural homes ensures that architectural form, material selection, and planning decisions respond directly to the realities of the landscape.
From Mandeville to Starvation Hill and surrounding rural communities, we work closely with clients to create homes that feel grounded, durable, and connected to their setting.
Nelson & Marlborough
We undertake selected residential projects in Nelson and Marlborough, where coastal conditions, sunlight, and site orientation play a significant role in shaping design outcomes.
In these regions, our focus remains on balancing openness to views with protection from exposure, ensuring homes are both responsive to climate and comfortable year-round.
Queenstown, Wanaka & Central Otago
The alpine and lakeside environments of Queenstown, Wanaka, and Central Otago present distinct design challenges and opportunities. Steeper topography, climatic variation, and strong landscape character require disciplined planning and material restraint.
We approach these projects with the same structured process used across all our residential work, adapting design strategies to suit local conditions and council requirements.
Working Beyond Christchurch
While we are based in Christchurch, advances in communication and project coordination allow us to work effectively across the South Island. Regular site visits are combined with structured digital coordination to ensure projects progress smoothly regardless of location.
Our role remains hands-on throughout the design stages, maintaining clarity of intent and consistent communication with clients, consultants, and builders.
Residential Design, Wherever Your Site Is Located
If you are planning a residential project in Christchurch, North Canterbury, Nelson, Marlborough, Queenstown, Wanaka, or elsewhere in the South Island, we would be happy to discuss how our approach could apply to your site.
Every location presents different opportunities and constraints. Our role is to translate those conditions into clear, well-resolved residential architecture that supports the way you want to live.