Exceptional versatility: Weir Architecture

One word encapsulates the work of the team at Weir Architecture – versatility. “We are working all around the South Island at the moment,” Managing Director Robert Weir says. “There are projects underway in Nelson, Wanaka, Queenstown, the West Coast, Akaroa and in Christchurch and every one of these projects is different.”

The locations demonstrate versatility and so does the work – from a large rest home, apartments and other industrial projects in Nelson, to architectural homes in Queenstown, baches in Akaroa, houses on the West Coast and hotels and restaurant fit-outs in Christchurch.

“It is so easy today with our communication systems to undertake work anywhere. Simple too, to just jump on a plane, or into a car and drive to site if we need to. I’ve driven to Wanaka and back in a day a number of times.”

As can be seen from the range of projects underway, Weir Architecture doesn’t specialise in any one sector of architecture, but works across all aspects. “My associates Raymond Barnes and John Pettersen and I have decades of experience in all forms of design and construction to offer clients.”

One thing that is a constant at Weir Architecture is listening to what clients want. “Our clients are at the centre of all our processes. Taking the time to understand their requirements is crucial to producing designs that fulfil a brief. Each project is looked at on its own merits and with an absolutely open mind.”

This client-focused approach has resulted in many architectural awards over the years. “We are thrilled to have won this year’s regional architectural design award for ‘Residential New Home over 300m2’. It’s a beachside house on Christchurch’s North Shore and it was designed to harmonise with the clients’ family lifestyle and use of spaces.”

On a larger scale, but still very much in accordance with the client’s brief, is another 2019 award winner – the transformation of the former Forsyth Barr office tower into a dynamic luxurious hotel – the new Christchurch Crowne Plaza. “This was definitely a challenging project requiring lateral thinking and all our combined experience to resolve – but the outcome earned us a commercial/industrial design award.”