About

Arkhē is a residential architecture studio based in Tauranga, New Zealand, focused on designing homes that respond to people and place. Our work spans rural, coastal, and urban settings, with each project shaped by its environment and the lives it holds.

We believe good architecture is honest, restrained, and enduring — enhancing everyday life while treading lightly on the land. Our approach is collaborative, thoughtful, and grounded in context, aiming to create spaces that feel natural and necessary.

From concept to completion, we offer a full suite of architectural and interior design services across Aotearoa New Zealand.

modern rural house with trapezoidal metal cladding from Metalcraft, Colorsteel thunder grey and SUGI accents. Large sliding doors and windows from Fairview and timber decks

We work closely with our clients, translating their needs into a cohesive design response — enhancing quality of life and contributing to a better built environment.

Arkhē noun
The Greek word refers to "beginning", "origin", "source of action", or "first principle". In Ancient Greek philosophy, arkhē was referred to as the principle of a thing.

Rural house with large sliding doors, warm interiors and views of the pacific ocean beyond. Located in Matata, Bay of Plenty. Arkhe Architecture

Arkhē is committed to delivering architecture with strong emphasis on what is essential for people to thrive, uniquely tailored to each client needs and local context.

modern mid century house located in Papamoa, Tauranga. Featuring white exterior colour palette, timber decks and green landscaping
Modern two-story coastal house in Papamoa Beach with dark board and batten and Rosenfeld Kidson larch claddings. Features flaxpod colorsteel roof and aluminium joinery with aluminium shrouds. Designed by Arkhe Architecture

We design rural, coastal, and urban homes—each an unique architectural response to its context and inhabitants, thoughtfully engaging with the landscape and its people.

Design ethos

We believe housing is a universal right and that access to well-designed homes is essential to the quality of life and social cohesion. For us, this ethos directly informs our practice: we design homes with the end-user needs at the forefront.

We work with clients with all budgets. We believe good design is possible with dedicated attention to the human dimension and its relationship with the environment.

Abodo Vulcading Patina finish weatherboards with feature battens. Maple tree landscaping. Kinch house by Arkhe Architecture

Awards

Arkhē is an award-winning practice, with our work recognised by Architectural Designers New Zealand ADNZ awards and The Designers Institute of New Zealand in multiple categories.

2024

Best Awards Finalist
Spatial Residential

ADNZ Bay of Plenty & Waikato Winner
Residential New Home up to 150m2

ADNZ National Finalist
Residential New Home up to 150m2

2023

ADNZ Bay of Plenty Regional Winner
Residential New Home 150-300m2

ADNZ Bay of Plenty Regional Winner
Residential Interiors

ADNZ Bay of Plenty Regional Highly-Commended
Residential New Home up to 150m2

ADNZ National Finalist
Residential New Home up to 150-300m2

Velux Skylight on Toronia Court House, designed by Arkhe Architects Tauranga.

Publications

Testimonials

  • "Arkhē have been incredible to work with. They really listened and understood who we were and what we love. From a meeting getting to understand us and how we live Diego went away and designed the most incredible home for us ... and for our site. His strengths, aside from having amazing vision and being a creative unique designer, was his ability to respect and truly listen to us and his support through, what at times was, a stressful build. Diego was there right to the end, available to answer contractor queries and help solve issues as they arose. He is very much part of this beautiful home and we have no hesitation in recommending Arkhē"

    Kevin and Clare
    Kokako Heights House

  • "Just wanted to say a sincere thanks to Arkhē for designing our new home. They listened carefully to what we were after and added their design knowledge and experience to create a home that brings us joy every day. We love the different spaces they designed for our family to live, work and be able to host large gatherings in. Full credit to Diego for his creativity - we never tire of the angled entrance, the natural light, the curved brick wall and the window seat that gets all day sun. Fair to say we're beyond happy with the results. Look forward to working with you again in the future and highly recommend."

    Diane Berghan and Josh Hepi
    Toronia Court House

  • For a long time, I lived this house in my head. When my husband and I met Diego, there was no doubt he was the architect to extract our ideas and design a house that would realise the dream. Diego’s passion for expression through originality in his designs, acute desire for visual beauty in simplicity, and his library of knowledge regarding different era architecture around the world; has been realised in this project we now call “home.” It was a pleasure to work with architects who were actively involved in helping solve problems or issues with some of our many requests. Some changes easy and some rather major! It was never a problem. I also want to mention their extensive knowledge of product, what to use and where to use, was particularly helpful, as this was our first build in New Zealand. Once the design was complete, we appointed a building company, and the two parties worked tirelessly together to take the digital images and build the physical reality. Arkhē never let us down. We are thrilled with the results and have no hesitancy in recommending them to anyone who desires something extraordinary or something beautifully simple."

    Jane and David Eddy
    Palm Springs House

  • "Arkhē was recommended to us and has exceeded all expectations. Amazing to deal with and a true talent. We are very appreciative of all they efforts and expertise."

    Andrea and David
    Te Puna Shed

  • "Arkhē team designed such a beautiful house for us. They took the brief and ran with it, delivering us a beautiful watercolour sketch that far exceeded our expectations. They had to take into consideration Extreme High Wind zones, epic views and wanting separate wings. The Arkhē team had some really clever and innovative ideas that really blew our mind and have made our house so unique. Every step of the process has been a breeze and its been a pleasure working with the Arkhē team, a team who were as excited about the project as us. I will recommend Arkhē again and again because our experience was so exceptional."

    Jess and Kerian
    Welcome Bay House

  • "We engaged Arkhē to help us with the design of a holiday home. Being a builder myself, I had my own ideas of what I wanted, however, wanted Arkhē team to be creative and use their own ideas. Only giving they limited information, what they came back with far exceeded our expectations and original designs we had sketched up. I would not hesitate to recommend Arkhē to anyone and will be sure to use them in the future myself."

    Nick Turner-Wright
    Waihi Bach