Practice
A small studio, built on a personal way of working.
Since 2017
Founded by Forrest Chen, Registered Architect.
Forrest Architects was established in 2017 in Takapuna, Auckland, beginning as a Licensed Building Practitioner design practice heavily focused on residential work. Founder and director Forrest Chen set out to create architecture that is both functional and deeply personal. "For us, spaces that reflect the unique stories, aspirations, and lifestyles of the people who commission them are what matters".
Nearly a decade on, that founding idea still guides every project we take on, whether it be small or large scaled. Good design starts with genuinely understanding the people and the site in front of us.
Philosophy
Storytelling as the key to good design.
We see architecture as a bridge between the private and the public — between the intimacy of a home and the wider context of its street, landscape and community.
Storytelling, to us, means understanding the wider emotional connection our clients have to the world around them. It's this understanding of a family's rituals, a site's light, a material's weight which enables considered design, rather than decoration applied after the fact.
We look for the organic qualities already present in a site and in a brief, and work to integrate them rather than override them, so that the finished building feels inevitable as though it could only have turned out this way.
Services
A clear path from first idea to finished home.
Every project moves through the same five stages, so you always know where things stand and what comes next.
Feasibility & Brief
We begin by listening. Together we shape your brief, gather what is known about the site and property, and walk the land in person. Where it helps, we suggest a site survey and bring in other specialists, such as a structural or geotechnical engineer, planner or quantity surveyor.
Concept Design
We look at how the site's constraints, views and sun can shape the home, then sketch early ideas for its form, layout and materials. You'll see a few directions and tell us which ones resonate. The one we choose sets the principles for everything that follows.
Developed Design
The chosen concept is refined with our structural engineer, and materials, finishes and performance are resolved. We recommend a quantity surveyor for early costing, and a planner if resource consent is needed.
Documentation & Consent
We prepare detailed construction drawings and specifications for building consent and for builders to price. It is the longest stage of the process. We lodge with Council and answer their queries, and can help you choose a builder through tender or direct negotiation.
Construction Observation
We visit the site at key points to check that the building is being built as consented and as designed. It is optional, but we recommend it. We can also administer the building contract for you, including progress claims, builder instructions and day-to-day questions.
Every project is different, so we prefer to give you a considered fee estimate rather than a standard rate. Tell us about your project and we'll be in touch.
The team