A contemporary rural home grounded in place

ARMADA was shaped by a simple idea: design a home that respects tradition without replicating it. The result is a calm, balanced composition anchored in the rural landscape and elevated through thoughtful detailing.

The home is defined by a classic H-shaped plan, connecting three interlocking gables. Natural materials were chosen to sit comfortably in the open plains: schist, timber, and high-performance aluminium. Large areas of expansive glazing draw in light and frame the Kairanga outlook, while deep eaves and sheltered courtyards support passive comfort and protection from the elements.

Inside, the experience is deliberately warm and tactile. Hard flooring, skylights, and high-end joinery combine to create a home that feels both timeless and lived-in from day one.

“ARMADA reflects the essence of what we do. It’s shaped by restraint, balance and an intimate understanding of location—timeless, functional and deeply connected to its environment.” — Heinrich Swartz, Slate brand and marketing manager.

(ARMADA was built by Rouxel Construction; Slate Studio led the architectural design and vision.)

What ARMADA shows about designing a new home well

Great architecture isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing the right things with intention. ARMADA demonstrates a few principles we return to again and again when clients come to us to design and build a new home across the Central and Lower North Island:

Proportion and composition first: the overall form should feel inevitable, not forced.
Materiality that belongs: honest materials that weather well and sit naturally in their setting.
Light as a design tool: controlling the way light moves through spaces changes how a home feels.
Comfort by design: passive strategies (like eaves, courtyards and orientation) reduce reliance on mechanical heating/cooling.

If you’re building on a rural site, a sloping section, or a location exposed to wind and weather (common across coastal and regional NZ), these fundamentals matter even more.

One team, one line of accountability: architecture + delivery under one roof

In a competitive market, the biggest difference is often how a project is run.

Slate is more than a construction company: we’re a multi-disciplinary design and construction group bringing together:

Architectural design (Slate Studio)
Construction management
Feasibility + planning support
Project delivery
Resource consent support
Care after completion

For clients, that integrated model means fewer handovers, fewer gaps, and far more certainty because design decisions and build realities are aligned from the start.

Fixed price clarity (no vague allowances, no nasty surprises)

Every project begins with a Fixed Price Construction Contract prepared by our in-house quantity surveyors. That means detailed cost breakdowns and a clear pathway forward—so you can commit to your new home build with confidence.

“Transparency isn’t a slogan for us. It’s the way we build trust.”

Local studios, regional reach: serving Taranaki to Hawke’s Bay

We believe smaller communities deserve access to exceptional architecture and construction at real value. With nearly 30 years of industry experience behind our leadership, Slate operates from three full-service studios in:

New Plymouth
Levin
Tauranga

From these locations, we support clients designing and building new homes across Taranaki, Manawatū, Horowhenua, the Kāpiti Coast, Hawke’s Bay, and surrounding regions, delivering architectural thinking with practical, buildable solutions.

Thinking about a new home? Start with a feasibility-led design conversation

Whether you’re early in the process or ready to move, our best projects begin the same way: with a clear brief, a feasibility-first mindset, and a team that can guide both design and delivery.

If you’re planning a new architectural build or want a smarter, clearer pathway to building in Taranaki, Manawatū, Horowhenua, Kāpiti Coast or Hawke’s Bay, we’d love to help.