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We design refined spaces shaped by people, place, and environment - architecture with lasting impact.

Our process blends thoughtful design, clear communication, precise documentation, and structural insight to deliver sustainable, functional architecture that sits naturally within its context.


Process and Philosophy

  • Urbanfunction provides comprehensive design services for commercial and industrial projects of all scales and complexities. Our commitment to excellence drives us to exceed client expectations by delivering innovative architectural solutions that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing. By deeply understanding your business operations, we craft spaces that not only meet but enhance your operational needs, setting a new standard for commercial architecture.

  • With a focus on Hillside project design, Urbanfunction has a proven track record of delivering award-winning projects showcased in reputable publications. Addressing the challenges of building on slopes, our team of engineers, architects, and specialists collaborates to create architecturally striking solutions. Our sculptural design language and tailored approach ensure seamless project execution, supported by a wealth of client testimonials that speak to our expertise in modern hillside residences.

  • From updating a home to revitalising a property, Urbanfunction offers expertise in renovation and restoration projects of all sizes. Whether it's a minor alteration or a major overhaul, our team is dedicated to achieving exceptional results. Specialising in restoring heritage buildings to their former glory, we blend historical preservation with modern design principles to create unique, sustainable mixed-use developments that honour the past while embracing the future.

  • We believe sustainability isn’t a trend — it’s a responsibility. This principle underpins everything we do. At Urbanfunction, we design for longevity, comfort and environmental care — not just through add-ons like solar panels, but through smarter planning, passive strategies and long-term thinking.

    We advocate for high-performance and passive house principles where possible, while recognising that true sustainability is about balance — between performance, cost, site and lived experience. From siting and orientation to material choices and adaptability, we work to embed sustainable thinking into every project in ways that are thoughtful, achievable and enduring.

Modern kitchen with a white island, wooden bar stools, and decorative vase with pink flowers.

Our award-winning work spans bespoke homes, heritage restorations, renovations, multi-unit and commercial development - unified by a commitment to functional, innovative design that responds to site, context, and environment.

View awards

Modern open-plan living room and kitchen with a large island, wooden floors, and leather furniture, featuring large windows and a wall-mounted bookshelf.
Modern hillside house with large windows and exterior lights at dusk.

Our latest projects…

  • Modern house with pool and patio

    11HW

    A super high-performance family home in Sumner, designed for comfort, sustainability, and style, with natural materials and airtight, energy-efficient construction.

  • Modern house with slanted metal roof, wooden exterior, and large windows, set in a grassy landscape.

    Castle Hill III

    A warm and sustainable mountain retreat at Castle Hill, blending modern design with rugged materials and deep connection to the landscape.

  • Street view of The Hokitika Sandwich Company and Havana Coffee Works in a corner building with parked cars and people sitting at outdoor tables.

    129 High

    A heritage restoration project in central Christchurch, 129 High blends historical preservation with sustainable design to create vibrant new commercial spaces and apartments.

  • Modern two-story house with large windows, wooden deck, and circular hot tub in a residential area.

    Oregon

    This compact Queenstown home frames sweeping lake and mountain views, with a crafted plan that balances family living, guests, and work-from-home needs. Earthy, durable materials ground it within the alpine landscape.

Start with Clarity — Receive Our Free Process Guide.

Enter your email to receive a clear overview of how we work, what to expect, and how we price and deliver each stage. Start your project with confidence.

Open book with a quote "Clarity in process leads to confidence in outcomes" on the left page and methodology details on the right page.

Client feedback…

  • "Taking on the restoration and renovation of this iconic building seemed very daunting. We were unsure how we could take a building (effectively the original bank and an add-on addition) from a earthquake-damaged commercial build to a safe, functional and modern residence. Urban Function were the answer. Aaron and his team managed to wrestle with some pretty unique challenges, delivering us a design which changed this triangular shell into a beautiful, safe warm home and standalone studio apartment with garden – while still paying homage to its heritage and story. Thank you Aaron for your professionalism, innovation and patience."

    Carolyn and Richard

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  • "We had a fantastic experience working with Urbanfunction. The team, led by owner Aaron Jones, was professional, organised, and thorough throughout our build. They were receptive to our ideas and stayed strictly on brief. Their commitment to sustainable approaches and expertise as hill architects impressed us. We highly recommend Urbanfunction for any architectural needs."

    Aaron Gordon & Lana Ogilvie

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  • "We cannot recommend Aaron and Urbanfunction highly enough. We engaged Aaron for his experience in the local area. He understood our brief immediately and provided us with an architectural plan that met our needs. As we are overseas based he also made the process seamless and also took the time in visiting us overseas to understand what our design style was. He provided an amazing level of service from planning to even styling ideas at the end of the build when we could not be there. He treated the project like his own and went the extra mile for us. He and Urbanfunction have given us a home of our dreams, we still can’t believe how awesome the completed build is. Highly recommended and if we were to design another place he and Urbanfunction would be our first contact."

    Anthony

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  • "Urbanfunction Architecture provided us with an outstanding design and architectural service, creating a beautifully designed 80m2 small house for us on the hill that perfectly integrates with the surroundings. Their attention to detail and customer care make them truly deserving of a five-star rating. Cannot recommend this company enough."

    Julien Uguen

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  • "I had a great experience with Urbanfunction, Aaron's aesthetic taste combined with his sensitivity to my budget constraints resulted in an award-winning house that perfectly suits my needs."

    Kevin Jackman

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  • "Aaron and Anne at Urbanfunction were a pleasure to deal with. They listened carefully to our brief and our ideas and produced a design well beyond our expectations. They were flexible, accommodating and extremely practical with their approach and we would recommend them to anyone considering a new build."

    Mark Davies

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