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▮ ESSE PHILOSOPHY 

Taking you through the entire architectural process, from one-of-a-kind 3D architectural drawings to the final design sign-off.

Architecture is about the physical expression of the immaterial. It emanates from a spiritual context. It is about people, relationships, life, and nature and how these interact in the creation of spaces, if they are to be meaningful to people.  We believe that Architecture is about the essence of things in making beautiful spaces that exude character and atmosphere – enhancing the intangible. It is about the creation of positive spaces that attract people and where people feel happy and comfortable to be.  The pursuit of timeless and relevant architecture lies at the heart of what ESSE embodies – ‘to be’.

▮ ESSE VALUES 

Our values define who and what we are as a business. We focus on:

  • Striving to be creative – exploring opportunities outside of the norm.

  • Endeavouring to be innovative – pushing the limits of our design skills and capability

  • Being adaptive – producing contemporary architecture that is relevant and “up-to-date”. 

  • Being Professional in everything we do – and this includes our behaviour and the way we approach our work.

  • Adding value to our client’s projects - this means “smart” and cost-effective design solutions, timing our projects to meet deadlines, developing relationship credibility and price credibility etc.

Concept design for National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) – Rotorua office and warehouse

▮ ESSE PRACTICE

Esse Architects is an award-winning ‘Boutique’ architectural firm. We believe our value is in producing timeless and relevant architecture, which focuses mainly on bespoke architecture – made or fitted to the specific needs or preferences of our clients. Our buildings are about people and how people use buildings and interact in their spaces, rather than the production of buildings as monuments to ourselves. 

Esse Architects currently operates mainly out of the Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions, covering locations from Rotorua to New Plymouth, and has been operating since 1990. Over this period, we have designed thousands of buildings in the following sectors: 


  • COMMERCIAL

  • INSTITUTIONAL

  • EDUCATION

  • RESIDENTIAL + MULTI-RESIDENTIAL

  • CULTURAL + HERITAGE

  • HEALTHCARE

  • HOSPITALITY

  • INSTITUTIONAL

  • BUILDING REFURBISHMENT + REMEDIATIONS


As a practice, our focus is on delivering architectural solutions to our clients, architecture that delivers quality outcomes and added value within budget. We take the responsibility of our client’s expectations seriously, and we work as a collaborative team to achieve their goals through high-end sustainable architectural developments.

▮ PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS/ AFFILIATIONS

ARTO Architects belongs to the following professional institutes and work to their professional standards and code of ethics.

  • Te Kahui Whaihanga/ NZIA (New Zealand Institute of Architects)

  • NZRAB (New Zealand Architects Registration Board)

In addition, individuals endeavor to ensure that their skills are kept up to date by regularly attending institute organised CPD (Continuing Professional Development Courses).