Nelson & Tasman · Architectural design, build & energy efficiency
Architectural Design and Build Tasman/Nelson.
Whether you bring a clear vision or a blank page, we design and build bespoke architectural homes across Nelson and Tasman, engineered to feel as good as they look: warm, healthy and comfortable, right through the year.
Building across Nelson and Tasman since 2006. Registered Master Builder.
- Registered Master Builder
- Member · Passive House Institute NZ
- Member · New Zealand Certified Builders
- 5.0 stars, 18 reviews on Google
Design, build and energy efficiency, Tasman and Nelson
Design-and-build specialists for architectural, energy-efficient homes in Nelson and Tasman.
Ecotectural designs and builds bespoke architectural homes across Nelson and Tasman, from Motueka and Mapua to Richmond and coastal Kaiteriteri.
Energy efficiency is our niche. From the first sketch to the day you move in, one accountable team stays with you: the right architect and engineer brought together around your project from the start, with every dollar of it visible to you. Every decision is made to keep your home warm, healthy and economical to run for life.
What we do
Everything it takes to design and build your home.
Architectural homes
Bespoke, architect-designed homes shaped around your ideas, your site and the Tasman light.
Design and build
One accountable team from first sketch to handover, so the design stays buildable and on budget.
Energy-efficient, healthy homes
Warm, dry, energy-efficient homes built well above the minimum code. We build Passive Homes.
Renovations and extensions
Considered additions and reworks, built to the same standard as our new homes.
Complete project leadership
We coordinate every consultant, supplier and trade, and keep your build on time and on budget.
A personalised experience
A calm, communicative process, dealing directly with the people responsible for your home.
The Ecotectural difference
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We own energy efficiency: warm, healthy, low-cost homes are our niche.
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One open-book team: from first sketch to final key, every dollar visible.
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Architects on hourly rates, not a slice of your build.
High-performance living
A home that looks after the people inside it.
Superior insulation, mechanical fresh-air systems and energy-efficient, climate-resilient construction deliver lasting comfort and healthy air, season after season.
- Building since
- 2006
- Designed to last
- 50+ years
- 10-year guarantees
- Master Build + Halo
- Registered
- Master Builder + Certified Builder
"I wanted a home I could wear shorts and a t-shirt in year round and never feel cold."
Colin Hayman, Upper Moutere
Selected work across Tasman, Kaiteriteri & Nelson.
Many of our homes are completed under confidentiality, so this is only a selection. To see more, simply ask and we will arrange a private viewing or reference project.
The Black House film
The Black House, Tasman.
One of our bespoke architectural builds. Take a look inside.
Design and build, built in the open, and kept for good
Total transparency, from first sketch to final invoice.
You receive open-book pricing with fortnightly labour invoices and timesheets, plus monthly materials and subtrade invoices with supplier copies attached. You always know exactly where every dollar is going.
Our architects work on hourly rates, not a percentage of the build cost, so their focus is your best design, not a bigger budget.
Every Ecotectural home follows the Ecotectural ABC: A, Around One Table. B, Built in the Open. C, Kept for Good.
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Engage early
We join before the design is locked, so cost and buildability are considered from the very first idea.
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02
Collaborate on design
You, your architect, our team and the engineer align on aesthetics, performance and budget together.
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03
Build open-book
One managed team builds your home with full cost visibility and proactive, honest communication.
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04
Handover and guarantee
You move into a home built to perform, backed by the Master Build and Halo 10-year guarantees.
What our clients say
Trusted by homeowners across Tasman & Nelson.
Absolutely fantastic company to deal with, the quality of craftsmanship is outstanding, Daryl and the team are very pleasant and strive to achieve the best outcome for their customers, from the very beginning to the end! It's a relationship worth having for your new build or renovation! Checked out their up and coming office pods and they're just absolutely fantastic! Blown away by the quality and durability! And so classy! 100% recommend this passionate bunch of Really Good Builders!!
When we were looking for a builder we had trouble finding someone who understood the concepts of building high-performance housing. We were after a SIPs builder who had experience with things like fully insulated slabs and recessed windows and was familiar with building with air-tightness in mind, air-changes per hour and MVHR. When we saw a SIPs panel hanging from a crane on a build beside the Moutere Highway we thought we might have just found the team we needed! Daryl and his great team brought all components of the build together so the design concept worked and we couldn't be happier with the result. Daryl's guys showed great attention to detail during the build and with the finish. The building site was always tidy and well-organised and the team were always friendly whenever we popped out to see how things were going. Great job everyone!
Daryl and the team did a great job, super professional and were fantastic to work with, nothing was a problem and there was always a solution to every challenge (even with the home they built for me which was really not your normal house)!! If you would like a new home built to the highest possible standard then I would definitely recommend Ecotectural Home Builders is the right one for you!!!
We must admit, Ecotectural was not our first choice of builder. The builder we had lined up for the job had become incredibly busy and was unable to start our build for a long time. I went looking on the internet trying to find a replacement builder. Ecotectural builders came up in my search. We were drawn by their approach to building high quality homes with a strong emphasis towards draught proofing and insulation. Another feature worth mentioning is the transparent way they do business. Daryl and his team of highly skilled tradesmen built for us, our dream home. From start to finish Daryl demonstrated to us that he is flexible and accommodating in his approach to dealing with the customer. Our build was interrupted with the first two Covid lockdowns which put pressure on our finances. We were able to negotiate a path through this difficult time and see the project through to completion thanks to Daryl. The Ecotectural team Daryl has built is a group of experienced friendly tradesmen who take pride in their work. Attention to detail and finish is important in a house and we are very pleased with the level of finish that was achieved.
I have no hesitation in recommending Daryl and his team of highly capable, efficient and friendly builders. Their work was finished to the highest standard and they were a pleasure to have working in our home. We will definitely have them back for any future work. Daryl is very friendly, professional and conscientious, it is clearly evident that he strives to deliver to a high level no matter the size of the job. I found his communication with us to be excellent, either in person or by phone/email. In regards to his team of builders they are tremendous. Very nice to have around and in our house and we are so pleased with the results. Thank you team.
I really enjoyed working with Daryl. I would highly recommend him.
Easy to work with and great quality work.
Good questions
Answers before you start.
Should I hire a builder or an architect first?
Start with the builder. When you come to us first, we bring your architect and engineer in at the right time and run the design, pricing, value management and scheduling together, shaped around how you actually live. It keeps the design buildable and the budget real from day one, keeps you in control, and usually costs less than going architect-first.
Can I be as involved in the design as I want?
Absolutely. Some clients bring a clear vision, others start with a blank page. Either way it is your home and you are involved at every stage, with us making sure every idea stays buildable, comfortable and on budget.
What does it cost to build with you?
It depends on your site, size and specification. Most of our builds start around $1M, and you get open-book pricing, so you see the real cost of every trade and material, nothing hidden.
How does your open-book pricing work?
You see the real cost of every trade and material, with our margin agreed openly up front, so nothing is hidden in inflated prices. You get fortnightly labour invoices with timesheets, and monthly materials and subtrade invoices with supplier copies attached, so you always know exactly where every dollar goes.
Do I have to build a Passive Home?
Not at all. It is one excellent option, but it does not suit every budget or site, and that is fine. We always build well above the minimum code, because New Zealand's minimum sets a low bar for comfort and running costs.
Where do you build?
Throughout Nelson and the Tasman District, including Richmond, Motueka, Mapua, Upper Moutere, Brightwater, Wakefield, Kaiteriteri and Riwaka. For the right project and the right client, we will travel beyond these areas too.
Let's talk about your build.
Whether you have a section, a set of plans, or just an idea, the best first step is a conversation. Arrange a site consultation with Daryl and Michael.
Trusted memberships and partners
