Our
Expertise

We provide the strategic insight needed to make informed, profitable decisions — and the design expertise to transform those decisions into financially viable, creatively ambitious projects that stand the test of time.
Architectural sketch of a multi-story residential building with balconies and detailed windows.
Commercial-first thinking
Every design decision is evaluated through the lens of commercial viability, ensuring projects are both architecturally considered and financially sound.
Development experience
Having worked alongside developers, investors and landowners, we understand the realities of feasibility, approvals, funding and delivery.
Long-term value
We design assets that perform well beyond completion, balancing operational efficiency, durability and enduring market appeal.
Integrated advice
Strategy, architecture and development insight are considered together, creating clearer decisions and fewer costly surprises.
Clear communication
Complex projects require clarity. We work collaboratively with consultants, councils and project teams to keep momentum and minimise risk.
A woman in a white shirt sketches on a large pad at a desk with pens, a plant, and a lamp.
Criterion combines architecture and development advisory to help developers, investors and landowners move projects from site acquisition to consent with greater confidence.
Our
process
01.
Define success criteria
We start by understanding your criteria. What a successful outcome looks like for you — financially, operationally and commercially.
02.
Analyse the market
We assess site potential, zoning, market conditions and comparable developments to ground the project in reality.
03.
Test feasibility & risk
We test project costs, revenue potential and return on investment — identifying risks early before they become expensive problems.
04.
Develop the design
We create solutions that balance bold design thinking with functionality, efficiency and long-term asset value.
05.
Navigate consent & approvals
We manage the consent process and liaise with councils and consultants to keep approvals moving without unnecessary delay.
06.
Coordinate & deliver
We oversee documentation, consultant coordination and construction support through to completion, protecting design intent and commercial outcomes.
Two pencil sketches of modern interior lounges with furniture, plants, and large windows.
Pencil sketch of a tall rectangular building with vertical lines and an uneven rooftop.
Hand-drawn site plan with numbered rectangular plots and garden-like areas around them.
Pencil sketch of two connected two-story houses with sloped roofs and a double garage in front.
Pencil sketch of a residential area with multiple buildings and houses surrounding a central open space.
Sketch of a multi-story residential building with balconies and windows.
Pencil sketch of a circular driveway with a fountain and surrounding trees and plants.
Pencil sketch of a site plan featuring buildings and surrounding trees in a linear arrangement.
Hand-drawn architectural sketch of a farm shed with pergola, plants, and measurements noted.
Hand-drawn architectural sketch of a craftsman style house with notes and window designs.
Architectural master plan showing building layouts and surrounding landscape in a resort design.
Hand-drawn floor plans showing two mirrored units with terrace, lounge, entry, bedroom, and bath areas.
Hand-drawn floor plan sketch showing rooms, furniture layout, and dimensions labeled 10m by 10m.
Hand-drawn architectural section sketch showing stepped building levels with interior spaces and exterior terrain.
Hand-drawn floor plan sketch of a resort layout including buildings, pathways, and surrounding foliage.
Architectural pencil sketch showing a layered building cross-section on a sloped terrain.
Hand-drawn floor plan sketch of an L-shaped building with rooms, outdoor seating, and a docked boat.
Hand-drawn sketch of a building floor plan with multiple rooms, tables, and seating areas.
Hand-drawn floor plan sketch showing room layouts, furniture arrangements, and doorways.
Rough pencil sketch of two adjacent buildings connected by a walkway with staircases and scattered details.
Let's chat about how we can work together.
Ready to explore your site's potential? Whether you're evaluating a development opportunity, testing feasibility or progressing a project, we're here to help.
Contact us
Devonport, Auckland