The benefits of having an in-house Architect

30 July 2021

Having our own in-house Architectural Designer and Technologist means undivided attention on your project and a relationship built on trust and integrity.

At Oceanside Homes we pride ourselves on our personal approach to clients. Having Kris Nero on the team as an Architectural Designer and Technologist means undivided attention on your project and a relationship built on trust and integrity.   

Kris completed her architectural studies in 1998 in Ontario, Canada where she co-owned a residential architectural design studio. After relocating to New Zealand in 2009 she has been involved in many projects from executive homesteads to remote bachs and light commercial developments. 

An ADNZ award winning designer (Architectural Designers New Zealand), Kris and her family have recently begun to call the Bay of Plenty home as she begins the next phase of her career with Oceanside Homes in Tauranga. 

A new building project is a journey and Kris is there right from the outset, working closely with the client and the New Home Consultant. She’s available at every turn, managing designs from initial concept through to approved consent and says an exciting part of her job is that no two days are the same.  

“Some days I work alone sifting through engineering calculations and other days I’m face-to-face with clients, discussing their hopes and dreams,” says Kris.

The benefits of in-house Architect are hard to overstate. It means a site-specific floor plan can be produced quickly, followed by an in-depth estimate before any money is spent. It means unlimited design revisions with no delays, and perhaps most importantly it means council questions and on-site solutions can be attended to immediately to keep projects running smoothly and on time.

When it comes to her design style, she considers her process to be pragmatically creative, designing from the inside out. 

“Too often the primary structure and building services like plumbing, drainage, ventilation and heating are merely an after-thought - which can lead to costly solutions to ‘make it work’ within the design. When these very important building components are considered from the onset, the design gives way to a beautifully well-rounded architectural building that is cost-effective with minimal to no complications during construction" explains Kris.

After being in in the industry for over twenty years and with experiences spanning half the world, Kris has seen building trends come and go.

“I’m seeing trends of the past taking the stage for an encore, such as bringing the outside in and utilising traditional exterior cladding in an internal setting. The Oceanside Homes show home at Three Creeks Estate in Ohauiti highlights this beautifully with a brick veneer feature wall in the dining/kitchen area adding a layer of texture and warmth to the home”. 

The show home is where the Oceanside Homes team are based, and Kris says having a complete team of building professionals under one roof helps to ensure the success of a client’s project. 

“We work very closely together as a team - from New Home Consultant to Architectural Designer to Quantity Surveyor to Project Manager; all in house and all focused solely on our clients. We have all the pieces of the puzzle working together to provide our clients with a comprehensive home design aligning with their wants and wishes, budget and schedule”.

So if you're thinking of building and would like some design advice, pop in to see Kris at our stunning show home - 100 Adler Drive in Ohauiti!