Steve Povey Plans & Design Ltd - Architectural Designer - Riverside

We have a 1910 villa that needed sensitive renovation to preserve its history and also make it into a comfortable, warm, modern home. Although we have only completed part of the work, the new addition fulfills every requirement we have of it. It is light, comfortable, and the integration with the existing home is seamless. Although most of this extension forms the utility part of the home (as opposed to later renovations that will encompass more 'public' parts of the home), the proportions are generous and the design is elegant and fitting for the style of the house. We have had numerous comments on the changes to the house from random members of the public, commenting on how beautiful it looks and how the new part of the house complements the older part perfectly. We couldn't be more thrilled with it and can't wait to start on the next steps, which we have no doubt will equally enhance a lovely and dignified old home with Steve's excellent design to give it another 110 years' life!

Kevin and Heather Pryor New Build Ngunguru Steve and builder Mark Kokich have designed and built a home for us that incorporates some great design concepts and a top class finish. Steve has captured the view and weather aspects of the home so that we have the sun all day, are sheltered from the cold winds and have a beautiful outlook down the Ngunguru river. Mark and his team have done a quality build in all aspects and have made the building process very easy for us. We recommend Steve and Mark for a design and build project.

My partner and I meet Steve in 2009. I had a concept design for a new build and Steve was able to bring this idea into a reality for us. Steve is an approachable, easy going guy. He worked closely with us at every stage, incorporating our ideas and designing a spacious, functional family home which we enjoyed.

Amazing work, listened to what we wanted and helped us build our dream home. would not hesitate to build with him again, or recommend to others.

Steve designed my house at McLeods Bay to maximise the views from all angles of the house out to the Bay. He came up with a unique design for my budget and requirements including a drivethrough garage. I have received nothing but ongoing compliments about the quality of the design and build. He kept me informed throughout the design, consenting and building process, and when I was not able to be onsite was willing to also provide project management assistance on my behalf. I have ended up with a lovely house my friends nickname 'my mansion' which is a great asset , to be able to relax in and enjoy stunning vistas.

We worked with Steve who designed our home to take us through our retirement years. We had some specific and unusual requests such as a set of glass engraved panels from doors in our old house which we wanted incorporated in the new house walls. This has become quite a feature along with curved internal walls and plenty of open living space. We had a long list of musts and Steve came up with some very imaginative ideas which makes our house unique and special to us. He was easy to work with and patient and helpful when we wanted to make changes along the way. Highly recommended Jeff and Susan Gibson. Kamo

Not knowing any architects in Whangarei I did a Google search for well reputed ones and settled on Steve. At no point have my wife and I ever regretted this. We wanted to extend our house with a master bedroom, ensuite and walk in wardrobe over the top of a concrete deck above double garages. Steve listened to our brief and came up with several options. The one we chose suits has come up even better than we had hoped for. His recommendation of Mark Kokich Builders was a masterstroke as Mark often builds Steve's designs. The combination of designer and builder made the project extremely smooth (apart from a forced delay caused by Covid 19). We have no hesitation in recommending Steve Povey Designs to anyone looking at building.

Grant McClellan has contracted in Northland for 25 years so he knew of Steve's reputation and designs; which very much appealed to us so it was an easy choice to make when the time came to build our dream home. The site we chose in Riverside, Whangarei was extremely difficult being steep, covered in Covenants and with high instability. Grant drew a concept plan to take to Steve for the first personal meeting. Steve instantly perceived our ideas and quickly and professionally ruled out the parts that weren't going to fit the District Plan and Building Code. He then came up with a far superior plan that we quickly gave the go ahead for full plans. He took care of all Engineering and Council issues and liaised with suppliers ahead of time so that we would run the project smoothly as we were owner-builders. So by the time we had building consent through we were able to build quickly and efficiently. We had regular site visits throughout the build from Steve and Chris; who each time provided much encouragement along with ideas and procedures to not only make the work progress smoothly; but also let the project run under our expected budget. Amazingly we built a complicated maximum height luxury home of exceptional quality in a fast and efficient time frame with minimal labour costs. Steve proved himself as vastly skilled. He is multi-talented, honest and honourable. We recommend him many times over. The house has proved homely, welcoming and durable and most definitely has the 'wow' factor and has been called 'Phenomenal'. Cindy very much enjoys collecting materials from alternative sources that Steve would cleverly incorporate into the build. Brazilian Granite, marble lights from the Hilton Hotel and recycled Kauri in highlighted areas. We being country people are at home now in the city with the house being at one with nature. We couldn't wish for better. Being able to brainstorm and innovate together was a fruitful pleasure, an alliance that is not only profitable but a highlight of our building career.