New for 2026 - build a granny flat up to 70m² without consent

Design that does more.

The New Zealand architecture studio helping you add space, income, and flexibility. From build-ready plans at $3,495 to full custom design.

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I WANT TO...

Renovate my home

Tailored design that adds space and value.

Add a small home or granny flat

Build-ready, architecturally-designed plans or fully custom.

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Find out what your property can support.

Many home projects stall before they start, usually for avoidable reasons.

Council rules get misread, design drifts from budget, and people commit before knowing what their site allows.

We design with the end result in mind, so your project gets consent, and gets built.

Navigate council & compliance with confidence
Homes that add space, income, or flexibility
Clarity, not endless revisions

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PRE-DESIGNED COLLECTION

Architecturally-designed, build-ready - from $3,495.

Ahi 40

1 bed · 40m²

Build Ready Plans $3,495

Forma 45

1 bed · 45m²

Build Ready Plans $3,890

Pavilion 70

2 bed · up to 70m²

Build Ready Plans $4,095

MORE SPACE, MORE LIGHT, MORE HOME.

Our work across renovations, new homes, and small builds.

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TRUSTED BY INDUSTRY LEADERS. CHOSEN BY EVERYDAY NEW ZEALANDERS.

It was a pleasure dealing with MAV Studio. Michael is a great communicator and listener, works very quickly and is highly professional. He knows his stuff. Would use MAV again.

David, Whangarei.

We’ve had the pleasure of working with Michael on two projects: a renovation and extension of our villa and the design of a new beach cottage. His expertise is unmatched, and his ability to communicate and guide us through each step of the process made everything seamless. Michael truly listens to our ideas and brings creative, practical solutions that not only look stunning but also work perfectly for our needs.

Nick, Wellington.

Great communication, exceeded expectations time wise. A good job done at a good price.

Vanessa, Waipu.

Plan with confidence, not guesswork.

INFORMATION HUB

Before You Spend a Dollar on Design, Read This

You have an idea. Maybe it has been sitting in the back of your head for months. A granny flat out the back for Mum. A garage conversion into something actually useful. An extra bedroom. A second dwelling you could rent out. Maybe just a proper renovation that finally makes the house work for your family. You have probably already talked to someone. A builder friend. A neighbour who did something similar. Maybe you have even pulled out a tape measure and had a poke around you

Granny Flat FAQs

Read below some of the most common questions we hear when it comes to building a granny flat on your land. Do I need an existing house on the land already? Usually, yes. The proposed granny flat pathway is generally intended for a secondary dwelling on a site that already contains a primary home. If the site is vacant, the project is usually treated as a new standalone dwelling rather than a granny flat, which may trigger a different approval pathway and planning requirements

New Granny Flat Rules NZ (2026): What You Actually Need to Know Before You Build

The 2026 granny flat changes have opened up real opportunities for homeowners across New Zealand, but they’ve also led to a growing number of assumptions around what can now be built without consent. But what’s getting lost in the conversation is that the exemption pathway is still tied to rules, constraints, and site-specific conditions. A project can still run into issues around planning, wastewater, access, setbacks, or buildability long before construction even starts. At

Not sure which path is right?

Start with a site & feasibility check, or tell us what you're thinking - we'll point you the right way.

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