Rosalind Derby Architecture

About

Rosalind Derby Architecture is devoted to the exploration of ‘place’ in interpreting each site for each client, to deliver a building which responds to these questions of context.

Rosalind Derby, with a B. Arch, School of Architecture, University of Auckland, has developed a reputation for beautifully considered buildings which allow for the individuality of every client, within a clear response to location and landscape.

We are a successful architecture and urban design practice with experience in big and small towns across New Zealand, Aotearoa.

Established in Kapiti in 2005 we are now based in Waikanae, with our practice deeply influenced by the special, physical geography of the river to sea environment. From the headwaters in the hills of Reikorangi to the estuary at the river mouth, Waikanae’s daily rhythm is dominated by this hill to the sea location.

Our architecture is a response to how people live here.

And it is also a learning. By closely understanding this local place it strengthens our approach to site and brief across any location in the country.

With international experience, studying architecture in diverse city cultures, we wish to build a team that can contribute to the uniqueness of the ‘pearls on a string’ nature of Kapiti’s urban centres, the length of its coastline.

We are keenly aware of the social context and constraints in the design process, understanding that developing a site can contribute to and gain from the character and quality of the neighbourhood and streetscape, and the urban, suburban or rural experience.

Architecture is at the forefront of a changing world.

While we can design the most beautiful and appropriate homes with skill and devotion, our eyes are lifted toward being part of the collective thought, toward housing communities well and enhancing public spaces.

Your home may present as a place of precious privacy, or enjoy the colour and humanity of being upfront and visible in the collectivism of group housing.

We look forward to engaging with you and your family for your private home, renovation or addition, guiding you through the stages of the design process and discovering the special joys in arriving at your unique built space.

Our Work

Process

Community / Urban Design

Testimonials

"We highly recommend Rosalind. She carefully listened to what our requirements were and came up with great design solutions we had not thought of. We are delighted with Rosalind’s architecture of the new wing on our house, a lobby area at the back and our wonderful deck from the front wing to the back wing of the house. Little children love playing in our big house now."

Catherine & Mark

"We have engaged Rosalind for two projects around our property. She has worked to create a range of conceptual options for us, introduced new ideas and worked to our timelines. She has also assisted in discussing plans with our neighbours and with the council. Rosalind formed a strong working partnership with us as her clients and we are very pleased with the result of her work."

Rachel Ryan

"Rosalind was a pleasure to work with when we required new accommodation to sit alongside a revamp of our old-style holiday bach.

She was professional, thoughtful and worked in a timely manner. Whilst her input and professional skills were at the forefront of the new design, she was also flexible and listened to our needs and ideas. We were impressed by how sympathetic she was to work with the best aspects of the existing environment.

Rosalind had positive relationships with the builders, engineers and tradespeople throughout the project. She was solution-focused, approachable and readily available when her professional skills were needed.

We would recommend her for these reasons."

Waikanae Beach Resident

"I have contracted Rosalind to work with us on an old property we bought during lockdown in 2020. With the need to extend and rebuild parts of the house, we worked on concept drawings and finally the consent application.

Rosalind was great to work with, was very quick with replies and the drawings, and also had some ideas we didn’t think about.

She was a pleasure to deal with, especially issues during the consent process, but she sorted the few questions and alterations with no problems.

I would recommend Rosalind to work with any of your projects and just get her in at the beginning to get great advice."

Andrew Jackson

At ArchiPro we recognise and acknowledge the existing, original and ancient connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have to the lands and waterways across the Australian continent. We pay our respects to the elders past and present. We commit to working together to build a prosperous and inclusive Australia.