We aim to create contemporary architecture that enhances and enlivens our clients’ daily lives with engaging designs that contribute value at many levels. Our constant goal is to produce building environments that somehow move us…that are a thoughtful response to our clients’ aspirations, to the context, the site conditions, and the budget…. resulting in lovable, livable spaces!
Frequently Asked Questions.
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Architecture Smith + Scully provide high quality, appropriate and thoughtful design with much attention given to personal service. We consider each client, brief and site as a unique opportunity, and believe that good design will enhance people’s daily lives through the quality of their environment. Our client relationships are precious, and we value their thoughts and input and engagement throughout the entire process.
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We can provide the full range of architectural services, from site analysis, feasibility and conceptual scheme design, through to documentation for the various types of council approvals required, consultant selection and coordination, contractor selection and, and contract observation. Our projects often include kitchen and bathroom design, lighting design, cabinetry and hard landscaping. We have good working relationships with many reputable builders and can advise on suitable contractors for each project.
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Many of our clients become dear friends in the process and often refer us to their colleagues and friends. Clients enjoy being involved in the process throughout their project and we work to ensure that clear communication and a good working relationship is facilitated at every stage. Over the years, we have developed working relationships with a solid group of very capable consultants and contractors that we work with regularly, often in conversation during the documentation process, and this can save our clients time and money on their projects.
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Project expectations and selection of materials and fittings directly influence the project budget, and we work with our clients throughout the process to realistically define these choices and decisions. Where budget constraints are of concern, we recommend an estimate of costs from a Quantity Surveyor at preliminary design stage, so adjustments, if needed, can be made to align the design and/or the brief.
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Our fees for each project are calculated individually and reviewed at each stage of the project. Generally, for preliminary concept and sketch design work, we charge on an hourly basis. Then once the design has been approved by our client, and the requirements for the consent/construction documentation and consultant liaison are clear, we can provide a fixed price for the various documentation packages as required. For further services e.g. Contract Procurement and Observation work, Interior Fit-Out Design & Scheduling,Lighting Design, Hard Landscaping Design; this work is charged on an hourly basis.
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Carolyn Smith
DIRECTOR, B Arch 1987. Reg. Arch 1989 A.N.Z.I.A, L.B.P
Carolyn Smith graduated from Auckland University, School of Architecture in 1987. Before establishing this practice with Hilary in 1996, she worked both in New Zealand and in the UK for several years, working on a variety of projects in the hospitality, retail and residential sectors.
Carolyn is a graduate of the 2005 NZ Architecture Masterclass run by the Architecture Foundation of Australia. Carolyn was a member of the jury for the New Zealand Institute of Architects 2003 Local Awards and convenor for the Levenes National Student Architecture Awards in 1996. Carolyn is a regular guest critic architect for senior student design programs at the Auckland Unitec Architecture School. She and Hilary were finalists for the 2014 Architecture + Women NZ Munro Diversity Award.
Carolyn has designed and built two new homes for her own family over the past ten years in Point Chevalier in Auckland. Both houses have been well-received, being published in Houses NZ magazine, Architecture Now, Architecture NZ magazine, Your Home & Garden magazine, featured on TVNZ’s Home-Front program, short-listed for Home of the Year Award and selected for Resene’s Habitat of the week web-site.
Carolyn has many interests including a deep love of music and painting. She studied towards a Bachelor of Music, majoring in composition, currently sings in an Acapella choir, and is interested in the spatial language of both music and architecture. Practicing yoga, pursuing the outdoors, and a love of camping and sailing all fuel and inform her interest in passive solar design and energy efficiency.
Carolyn was interviewed and her life experience recorded in the following two articles. Feel free to take a look.
Architecture + Women NZ
Houses -Autumn Issue 23CONTACT CAROLYN:
carolyn@smith-scully.com -
Hilary Scully
DIRECTOR, B Arch 1987, RIBA 1993
Hilary Scully graduated from Auckland University, School of Architecture in 1987. Before launching a practice with Carolyn in 1996, she worked in both New Zealand, and in the UK for four years, specialising in residential and aged care projects.
Hilary has undertaken post graduate study at the University of North London obtaining the Royal Institue of British Architects qualification; RIBA. She is a graduate of the 2005 NZ Architecture Masterclass run by the Architecture Foundation of Australia. She and Carolyn were finalists for the 2014 Architecture + Women NZ Munro Diversity Award.
Hilary has completed several renovations and a new home for her own family in Kingsland and Sandringham, combining her skills with her husband’s – a respected Auckland builder – to create environments suitable for them and that of their three children. Her home in Kingsland won an NZIA Residential New Home Award, a New Kitchen Award, was short-listed for Home of the Year, finalist in the Resene Interior and Exterior colour awards and was featured in Architecture NZ and Your Home & Garden magazines.
Hilary has a keen eye for detail and is a skillful space planner. These skills are particularly valuable to clients in their residential projects but additionally have cleverly transformed commercial spaces creating drama and intrigue resulting in both retail and interior design awards. She has a special interest in providing quality environments for our elderly and has experience working with LifeMark design standards.
A self-confessed “foodie”, Hilary enjoys keeping up with the latest eating establishments, which informs the many parts of the design of our residential and hospitality work.
CONTACT HILARY:
hilary@smith-scully.com
Charitable Contributions.
A big part of who we are is giving back to the community… We care about providing affordable homes for people regardless of their circumstances. We also contribute to the M&BNZ Trust campaign to raise awareness of our declining native and endemic butterflies and moths.
Look Good Feel Better
Look Good Feel Better
Abbeyfield House
Abbeyfield House
Abbeyfield House
Community Housing
Community Housing
Community Housing
Community Housing
MBNZT Butterfly Centre
Look Good Feel Better
- 2015 Auckland House Tour
We teamed up with the Look Good, Feel Better Women’s Cancer Trust to help organise their main fundraiser – the Feel Better House Tour – held on Friday, 27 February 2015. It was a fantastic day, with over 700 people visiting and lots of great feedback about the focus on architect-designed homes!
A huge thank you to the homeowners for opening their doors, the volunteers for their amazing help, and the architects and designers who came along to chat with visitors. We were thrilled with the turnout and the lovely responses to our work. Special thanks to Mark Scowen of Intense Photography for generously donating his time and talent.
Architecture Smith + Scully had three homes on the tour: the newly finished Garden House in Point Chevalier, the Contemporary New House in Point Chevalier, and the Gem in Epsom.
Abbeyfield House in Sandringham, completed in 2006, was so successful it became a model for similar homes across New Zealand.
Run by a charity, Abbeyfield offers affordable shared housing for older adults, combining private studio rooms with shared spaces, meals, and housekeeping. It’s like flatting in later life, helping residents stay independent while enjoying companionship and a strong sense of community.
Despite challenges getting council approval due to its unique setup, the positive feedback from residents has made it all worthwhile, showing there are better ways to support older people as they age.
Abbeyfield House in Sandringham
We’ve really enjoyed working with the Bays Community Housing Trust to create a simple, affordable housing option for older people on the North Shore. It’s like flatting for seniors, giving them another way to live independently with others. Two of these homes have recently been finished as great examples of this idea.
Community Housing
NZ Moths and Butterflies Trust - Public Butterfly Education Centre
Working with a dedicated charitable trust- MBNZT who are on a mission to raise awareness and save our endemic and native butterflies and moths from further decline and extinction. -