Pynenburg & Collins Architects

OUR KEY AREAS OF ARCHITECTURAL PRACTICE ARE:

RESIDENTIAL

• New houses
• Alterations and additions
• Renovations
• Apartment buildings
• Multi-unit housing

COMMUNITY

• Aged care
• Education facilities
• Churches and community centres
• Sports centres
• Community housing

COMMERCIAL

• Office fit-out and refurbishment
• Retail fit-out
• Multi-storey buildings
• Scientific facilities
• Alterations and additions

ADAPTIVE REUSE

• Commercial
• Residential
• Remediation
• Weathertightness
• Seismic

OFF-THE-GRID

• Back-country huts
• Antarctica buildings and accommodation
• Residential – urban
• Residential – rural and remote
• Commercial
• Accommodation and lodges

OUR VALUES

Our purpose on every project is to enhance how people live, work and play by creating great architecture. We achieve this from a strong values base, which guides how we behave and how we make decisions.

TRUST AND RESPECT

In essence, we treat others as we wish to be treated, working with people (staff, consultants and clients) whose values align with our own.

In practice, we do what we say we will do, and we don’t let people down. We listen carefully to our clients’ needs and reflect these accurately in the work we do for them.

CREATIVITY

This comes from having a passion for continual improvement and the critical thinking required to create inspiring, exciting, and sustainable solutions.

Remaining current with our design and building knowledge allows us to produce our best work and to delight our clients every time with creative and innovative designs.

ACCOUNTABLE AND APPROPRIATE

In order to complete our work to standard and on time, we take responsibility for what we do and say. This means taking ownership of the quality of our work, providing appropriate solutions, thinking our work through and doing it well so that we are also proud of what we produce.

HONEST AND ETHICAL   

Our reputation as a company and as individuals is critically important. This is expressed by maintaining the ethical standards of our professional body and undertaking work that is positive for our society and environment.

In practice, we build positive relationships with all of the people we work with by communicating in a constructive and respectful way.

OUR STORY

Pynenburg & Collins Architects was established in 1981 by university friends Ron Pynenburg and Ken Collins. By 1990, we were a well-established Wellington CBD practice working on both commercial and residential architecture. In 2001 Tim Burns became a company director, serving for 14 years. More recently Joanne Kelly and Jody Seabright were appointed directors in 2015, after having been associates for a number of years.

During this time we have developed a unique reputation in specialist areas of architecture – remote and extreme-environment buildings, community and aged care facilities, and scientific and laboratory design. In 2001, we formed a sister company for our laboratory projects, and Lab-works Architecture has since become the leader for laboratory and scientific facility design in New Zealand.

In 2012 Ron Pynenburg and Simon Blencowe opened our Christchurch office, and today we have under 30 registered architects, architectural technicians, graduates, interior designers and support staff across the two locations.

Our directors have a solid reputation in the architecture and construction industries in New Zealand. Ron Pynenburg has served as president of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA) and subsequently as chairman of the New Zealand Registered Architects Board (NZRAB) for a number of years.

HOW WE WORK

Building projects go through a series of clear stages – from initial client meetings and site visits, design and documentation, through to construction and post-occupancy review. As architects, we are responsible for managing the whole process. This includes managing the wider project team of consultants and contractors, and the programme, to ensure the project runs smoothly and on time.

We make sure you understand all the stages and enjoy the process. We are great communicators and will ensure you understand the solution, so you can make informed decisions as we progress through the project.

DELIVERING ON TIME AND TO BUDGET

We are focused on delivering every project on time and to budget and have an excellent track record in achieving these results. We document our buildings to a very high standard, with thorough and complete drawings, specifications, programmes, and contracts. This approach removes ambiguity and ensures the Territorial Authorities and Contractors can fully understand the scope and detail of the works. The quality of documentation directly affects time frames and costs, so we ensure what we provide is appropriate for your project.

A STRONG TEAM

We are team players who work closely with our clients and consultants to deliver the design requirements. Our staff are well trained, experienced and highly skilled in their work, and are empowered to make decisions and take actions to ensure that the project is completed to the highest standard.

VISUALISATION AND TECHNOLOGY

The key to the design process is seamless communication with all parties. We make sure ideas can be shared and visualised for maximum insight and understanding, and we employ a number of technologies to communicate and assist in the design process.

ArchiCAD software is our principal design and documentation platform. This tool allows us to integrate all of the design and technical aspects into one co-ordinated model, which in turn enables you to explore your virtual building in real time. Combining the ArchiCAD virtual model with our Virtual Reality System takes visualisation and understanding to the next level.  

SHARING FILES WITH CONSULTANTS

As leaders in the use of IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) for transferring files between different design authoring software, we are able to transfer 3D building data to external consultants – even if they are using different software platforms. Collaboration is made easier and the potential for errors is reduced.

The systems we have developed and the technology we employ allow us to work remotely from the project location (nationally and internationally), while still maintaining the collaborative relationships required.

VIRTUAL REALITY SYSTEM

Using the Virtual Reality headset and controllers allows you to navigate through the virtual CAD model. The technology is an impressive alternative to traditional drawings on paper or images on screen, where it lets you experience a three dimensional environment to give a realistic sense of scale and depth, while freely exploring the design inside and out. 

SERVICES OVERVIEW

We design buildings that improve lives. Whether you need a more functional layout for a work team, you need to grow, or to improve your home, we’ll work with you to define and build better spaces.

1. ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES

We believe good architecture results from a refined process of collaboration, creativity, insight, and best practice. Our client’s needs are at the heart of what we do, where our mission is to improve your quality of life and the utility of your building, through designing enduring built environments.

A Complete Service

We provide a full range of architectural services – from initial briefing, detailed analysis, problem solving and design to full documentation, tendering, contract management, and post-occupancy review.

Our thorough and complete process leads to better buildings and long-term outcomes. You will enjoy greater overall value with a building designed for lifetime use, lower maintenance, and lower energy costs.

Stong Relationships

Building design and construction (or architecture and construction) are collaborative processes requiring positive relationships and excellent communication – whether a project involves a single residential client or a large, complex team of stakeholders, consultants, and contractors.

We have found that our inclusive approach to projects results in better project outcomes, and fruitful long-term partnerships that lead to repeat work.

Quality, Cost-Conscious Architecture

Pynenburg & Collins Architects has always believed in achieving the right balance between design, construction and cost. We manage these constraints carefully, because a building project is only successful when it meets all aspects of the brief. Getting this right requires the right application of our professional experience, an excellent team of consultants and contractors, and a detailed knowledge of construction.

Best Practice

As practice members of the New Zealand Institute of Architects (NZIA), we are up-to-date with the latest architectural knowledge and best practice. You are assured of the latest contracts and templates together with thorough building consent and tender documentation, so that your project runs professionally and as smoothly as possible.

2. CONSULTATION SERVICES

Over our 35-year history, Pynenburg & Collins Architects has developed a passion for, and extensive knowledge in, specialist areas of architecture consultancy. We regularly consult to other architectural practices and Regulatory Authorities who either do not have in-house specialists or require an independent opinion.

Building Legislation & Building Standards

Pynenburg & Collins Architects can provide you with an expert opinion on building legislation and building standards. We advise and report on what is required for new or existing buildings to comply with current Building Code and Building Act requirements. Our recommendations and interpretations have been accepted throughout New Zealand as expert opinion.

Our services include:

• Review of design and documentation for compliance with the Building Act and the Building Code.
• Advice on meeting the requirements of the Building Act.
• Advice to clients regarding the implications from changes to the Building Act and Building Code.
• Reports and expert opinion in mediation and legal proceedings over interpretation of building legislation.
• Specialist advice concerning access and facilities for people with disabilities.
• Peer review of documentation and existing buildings to provide expert advice.

Universal Design

Universal Design is about providing environments that enable people of all ages, sizes, abilities and disabilities to use buildings to the greatest extent possible. We encourage using our services in the early stages of concept design, as often it can be problematic to change design aspects in the later stages of a project.

We provide the following services:

• Offering advice on Accessibility and Universal Design principles.
• Assessment of existing buildings, upgrades and alterations to enable Universal Design.
• Peer review of designs and documentation for compliance with the Building Act and the Building Code.
• Advice on meeting the requirements of New Zealand’s Building Act sections 112-120.
• Advice on compliance of buildings to meet the requirements of access and facilities for people with disabilities.
• Adapting houses for specific disabilities, especially physical disabilities such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Our reports are accepted by Territorial and Regulartory Authorities throughout New Zealand as an expert opinion.

Training Seminars

We also offer training seminars and run workshops around New Zealand addressing the requirements for access and facilities for people with disabilities.

3. LAB-WORKS ARCHITECTURE

Our sister company Lab-works Architecture is a leader in the design and construction of laboratories.

They have over 20 years' experience in providing specialist architectural services for scientific, research and teaching facilities, having won multiple awards for their work. Pynenburg & Collins Architects and Lab-works Architecture work together for a complete scientific facility and building service.

New Zealand's Laboratory Specialists

Lab-works Architecture was formally established in 2001 to meet New Zealand’s need for specialist Scientific and Laboratory architectural services. They have achieved a strong reputation in the science, university, and health sectors. Having enabled their clients to fundamentally improve the way science, and the teaching of science, happens in New Zealand.

International Reputation

Lab-works Architecture's project portfolio includes some of New Zealand's foremost laboratories and research facilities, as well as facilities in Australia. The company continually benchmarks its projects against national and international best practice. This involves regularly visiting new facilities to keep abreast of the latest developments, as well as attending and presenting at laboratory design conferences both in New Zealand and internationally.

Setting Design Standards

Lab-works Architecture is involved in the review and writing of New Zealand and Australian laboratory design standards. They also provide specialist advice to carry out peer reviews of laboratories at both design and as-built commissioning stages.

Improving Scientific Facilities

In practice, Lab-works Architecture distils complex technical issues into practical answers – on your terms and in your language so you can make informed decisions confidently. The end result is a scientific facility tailored to your specific needs that enhances your productivity and competitive advantage.

A Full Service

Lab-works Architecture provides briefing, master planning, design, documentation and project management services for commercial, research, diagnostic and teaching laboratories, along with the associated support facilities.