A holiday house near the shores of Lake Taupo.

The distinctive front door over-roof with stone columns convey a sense of welcome and shelter in all seasons, and are evocative of the lake and mountain setting.

Wide eaves, varied window fenestration and use of contrasting exterior materials are other character elements. Interior spaces are comfortable and lodge-like. 

A town centre plan for Hanmer Springs, a popular South Island tourist destination known for its thermal baths and outdoor recreation attractions.

The plan addresses opportunities for future development on a precinct-by precinct basis. These include a revitalised 'village square' locale, a consolidated built form to the main retail spine, and elements for connectivity and way-finding to the Thermal Baths area.

Hanmer Springs' alpine and heritage character, and measures to promote identity based on a health, wellness and spa theme are an integral part of the urban design measures recommended.

nm associates' services: urban design and spatial planning for tourism environments. 

Originally one of the earliest holiday cottages to be built on the Plimmerton coastal escarpment, this house was extensively altered to provide a contemporary home on three levels + garaging.

The steep site and relatively restrictive building envelope posed various design constraints to be worked through to meet our clients' requests for additional family living, bedroom and utility spaces.

And in fully acknowledging the coastal setting with expansive views over Karehana Bay, Mana Island and beyond.

nm associates' services: residential design, design for coastal environments, site master-planning, planning and building consents, construction observations.

Permitting processes and obtaining consents under the Resource Management Act for numerous oil and gas exploration sites in Taranaki, Hawke's Bay and the Wairarapa. 

For each site the documentation includes Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) reporting, analysis of District and Regional Plans, management plans and other measures for environmental impact mitigation.

Other related projects include oil and gas pipeline consents, and evaluations of infrastructure needs for oil and gas development. 

nm associates' services: land use consents for oil and gas exploration and site development, discharge consents for air, stormwater and produced water for  drilling, testing and production activities. AEE reporting, project management of multi-disciplinary teams.

A contemporary home constructed on a rear site with generous open plan living and entertaining areas, three bedrooms, home office/guest accommodation and lift access between floors.

The house makes the most of its north-facing location and has clean-lined, modern spaces with strong interconnection between indoor and outdoor areas.

Landscape design by Lizzie Earle, landscape architect, included distinctive planting to the front entry and driveway.

nm associates' services: residential design, planning consent for earthworks, 3D modelling of the house, kitchen and other interior detailing, building consent, construction observations.

Assessment of Environmental Effects (AEE) documentation and land use consents for new classrooms and other facilities for Chilton Saint James School.

A well known Lower Hutt independent school, the Chilton redevelopment plan provided for updated teaching, library and administration spaces, a dance centre and other facilities - in a series of stages and over varying timeframes.  

On a residentially zoned site, the application for land use consents evaluated the development impact of campus facilities to adjoining properties, amenity and visual effects, traffic and parking impacts, construction effects, and the impact of the proposals to the streetscape. 

nm associates' services: application for land use consent, Assessment of Environmental Effects, neighbour and community consultation.

An inner city complex comprised of a series of modular units located above commercially leased carparking, within available airspace.

The studio, one and two bedroom apartments were substantially constructed off-site with pre-appointed kitchens and bathrooms. In the post-delivery phase on-site development included construction of linking walkways and resident amenities.

The apartments were a transitional land use and have now been replaced by a multiple floor office building.

nm associates' services: design, re-configuration of access easements, construction observations, with Pre-Define.

An analysis of the effects of building height and form on sunlight to open space areas and public realm environments within the Queenstown town centre.

This and other town centre analysis by nma directors in past practice,  reviewed development options for Queenstown, sunlight protection and other District Plan related matters.

A comprehensive urban design and forward master plan for the country town of Amberley, North Canterbury.

Three key urban design issues are addressed: approaching and leaving Amberley, developing a more cohesive and identifiable town centre, and measures to add character and sense of place.

A series of plans address the public realm in a sequence of areas along State Highway 1. The plans promote improved connectivity of facilities for visitors and residents alike, environmentally sensitive design, use of north-facing outdoor spaces, adding shelter and amenity, and using landscape design for a more legible, pedestrian-oriented street edge.

An implementation strategy includes measures to promote North Canterbury's seasonal and tourism calendar, showcasing the town within its regional setting.

nm associates' services: urban design, addressing visitor needs and attractions, spatial planning, working with community, PPT presentations. A multi-disciplinary project. 

Concept design for a rafting centre above the Kawarau River, Queenstown. Ticketing, restaurant and visitor lounge spaces are included in the upper (entry) level to the centre. Rafting, kayaking and other equipment storage is provided at river level below.

The rafting centre was sited and designed as the principal visitor attraction among other tourism facilities within the site, referencing the conservation and heritage values of the site setting.

nm associates' services: concept design and site master-planning for visitor, recreation and accommodation facilities, architecture for recreation environments.

Spatial planning and outline costings for additional guest accommodation and conferencing facilities for the James Cook Hotel, Wellington CBD.

New construction options included those for a number of additional floors to both wings of the hotel, and creating a 'front door' presence to Lambton Quay, Grey Street and areas of the Wellington waterfront beyond.

Analysis of Wellington City District Plan rules affecting the site's building envelope, including height limits, view shafts, plot ratio and building mass.

Architectural services for the upgrade of a number of existing guest rooms.

nm associates' services: pre-feasibility assessment and costings, development scenarios, District Plan analysis, commercial design for visitor environments.

An evaluation of potential building platform locations and accessibility on a steep coastal site, as part of pre-feasibility development considerations. 

nm associates' services: contour and building envelope analysis, preliminary costings, District Plan matters.

A series of design guidelines for multi-unit residential development and visitor accommodation, Hanmer Springs.

The Guidelines address potential infill development areas, and recommend a built form (building height, typology, building length and modulation), various criteria for site planning criteria, and measures to enhance character and amenity.

The spatial context, connectivity within the wider setting, an appropriate density of development, and managing effects to adjoining sites are also addressed. 

nm associates' services; design guidelines for multi-unit development, District Plan Review study.

A masterplan for recreation facilities' development and visitor accommodation, Queenstown. The proposals include a rafting centre, abseiling concession, outdoor performance area, motel accommodation and camping ground, set amongst extensive open space.

The plan uses the natural contour of the site, protects wide views to Coronet Peak and the Kawarau River, and protects significant mature trees

nm associates' services: planning for recreation and tourism environments. 

Typical floor plan and diagrammatic sections. proposed additional,mixed use  floors to an existing commercial building, Wellington CBD.

An example of a number of office fit-out, spatial planning and layout design by NM Associates.

Typical floor plan and diagrammatic sections, feasibility assessment, proposed additional floors to an existing commercial building, Wellington CBD.

A spatial planning strategy to manage future urban growth.

This study addresses a number of land use and development scenarios for future growth in Hanmer Springs over a 10, 20 and 50 year planning horizon. Key factors include resident and visitor population numbers, and measures for environmental sustainability.

Recommendations for future growth areas are generally in localities within a 1.5 to 2.5km radius of the town centre, and thus within accessible/convenient walking and biking distances for residents.   

A strong framework to the township is maintained by confining development within definitive features of the landscape. 

nm associates' services: spatial planning, growth management recommendations, District Plan studies, community consultation, multi-disciplinary project team.

Concept design for 3 country houses as a component of an application for land use and subdivision consents.

The dwellings sit within the natural contour of the site and are clustered in a manner reminiscent of early farm buildings of Central Otago. Their north orientation captures full winter and summer sun.

Site development conserves several heritage structures associated with Gibbston Valley's gold mining past.

nm associates' services: design, masterplanning in viticultural and tourism environments, planning consents. development.

Resource consents for Gibbston Valley Wines' cellar cave, excavated from a schist hillside behind the winery complex. One of the few cellar caves in New Zealand, the cave is a well known Queenstown venue for events, weddings and  concerts.

nm associates' services: land use consents and associated documentation for the cellar cave, extended parking area, and earthworks management.