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In-house architectural design and construction under one roof. One team, one process, no gaps between what is drawn and what gets built.
The traditional approach to building a home involves hiring an architect, getting plans drawn, then finding a builder to price and construct those plans. It works, but it creates a gap.
The architect designs without day-to-day building knowledge. The builder prices a design without input into how it was developed. Changes during construction mean going back to the architect, waiting for revisions, and hoping the numbers still stack up.
Gardo Group closes that gap. Hannah Armstrong-Gardner, our Architectural Designer, and Chris Gardner, our Construction Manager, work as a single team from the very first conversation.
When Hannah is drawing your plans, Chris is already thinking about how to build them efficiently. When Chris is on site and a design question comes up, Hannah is available to resolve it the same day.
This is not a builder who subcontracts a drafter to produce plans. It is a genuine design and build partnership where both disciplines are involved at every stage. That means fewer change orders, faster decision-making, and a home that looks exactly like what you were promised.
From first site visit to handover, Chris and Hannah work alongside you. Whether you bring your own architect or use Hannah's in-house design. Chris manages the build, planning, and consents while Hannah keeps design and construction aligned. Small team, hands-on the whole way.
Chris and Hannah meet with you on-site to discuss your vision and review your plans. If you have your own architect, we ensure a collaborative approach, working closely with them to understand your design. If you don’t have an architect, Hannah is available to provide in-house architectural design services tailored to your needs.
If you’re working with Hannah, she’ll create a bespoke design that embodies your vision, while Chris provides practical insights to ensure buildability and cost-efficiency. If you’re bringing your own architect, Chris coordinates to align the construction approach with the design intent, ensuring a smooth integration between design and build.
We handle all necessary approvals and consent applications. Chris manages the construction planning and ensures everything is set for a seamless build, working in close coordination with either your architect or Hannah, depending on your chosen path.
Chris leads the construction phase, with a strong emphasis on quality and attention to detail. Hannah remains involved, either as your chosen designer or by collaborating with your architect to make adjustments if needed. Our small, agile team ensures personalised service and a smooth experience throughout the build.
We finish by walking you through your new home, addressing any final details and ensuring your satisfaction. Whether you worked with Hannah or your own architect, our commitment to quality and personalised support continues long after you’ve moved in.
When you choose Gardo Group, you gain access to a 10-year residential guarantee. As members of both Registered Master Builders and New Zealand Certified Builders, we issue the Master Build 10-Year Guarantee or the Halo 10-Year Residential Guarantee depending on which is the right fit for your project. Either way, you get fully underwritten 10-year cover from a long-established New Zealand body.
With a traditional build, the architect designs and the builder prices it separately. With Gardo Group, Hannah and Chris work as a single team from day one. Design decisions and construction planning happen side by side, which means fewer surprises, faster decisions, and a home that matches what was promised
You deal with Chris and Hannah throughout your entire project. No handoffs between separate firms, no repeated briefings, no waiting for one party to get back to the other. Decisions happen quickly because the people making them are working side by side.
Because Chris is involved in the design phase, every element is assessed for buildability and cost before it makes it into the final plans. This does not mean compromising on design. It means making smart choices early so the numbers work when it matters.
Construction rarely goes exactly to plan. When an issue comes up on site, Chris and Hannah address it together. Design adjustments happen in hours, not weeks. Your project keeps moving.
With a traditional approach, you have separate contracts with your architect and your builder, and disputes about scope can leave you caught in the middle. With Gardo Group, you have one contract, one relationship, and one team accountable for the entire outcome.
