Archaus
Archaus is a New Zealand architecture and interior design firm, founded in the early 1990s, delivering commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, hospitality, and community projects from Wellington and Auckland offices, with specialist BIM consultancy and in-house 3D visualisation services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1994
- HeadquartersWellington, New Zealand
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Archaus does
Archaus is a privately held New Zealand architecture practice founded in the early 1990s, operating from a Wellington headquarters and through the Paterson + Cullen + Archaus partnership in Auckland. The firm delivers architectural and interior design services across commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, hospitality, retail, healthcare, and community projects, with a client roster that includes Wellington International Airport, Rydges Hotels, Briscoes, Rebel Sport, Porsche & Audi (Team European), NZ Post, Wellington City Council, and Ronald McDonald House Trust. The practice is led by directors Christian Bertschinger (Wellington) and Chad McMan (Auckland), with co-founders Dennis Burns and Mike Cole continuing in advisory roles.
The firm's core technology stack is built around Building Information Modelling (BIM) and in-house computer-generated visualisation, positioning Archaus as a leader in independent BIM consultancy in New Zealand under the ARCHITECTURE + BIM byline. BIM is offered both as a capability integrated with architectural design services and as a standalone strategic advisory service to owners and industry leaders, supported by in-house 3D visualisation for massing studies, material selection, consent applications, and marketing. Archaus has no disclosed AI/ML capabilities, no proprietary software products, and no API or SDK offerings.
Revenue is generated through project-based professional services fees for architectural design, interior design, BIM consultancy, and visualisation. The go-to-market is sales-led, with projects acquired through direct commissions, competitive tendering, and repeat client relationships (notably Vicinity, a development firm founded by co-founder Mike Cole). Pricing is quoted project-by-project with no public rate card, and the firm operates exclusively within New Zealand across Wellington, Auckland, Nelson, and other regional centres. Archaus has approximately 15 employees and has not raised external funding.
Archaus firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Archaus
- Legal name
- Archaus Ltd.
- Website
- https://archaus.co.nz
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1994
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Archaus is a New Zealand architecture and interior design firm, founded in the early 1990s, delivering commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, hospitality, and community projects from Wellington and Auckland offices, with specialist BIM consultancy and in-house 3D visualisation services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Archaus industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Architectural Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (541310), Interior Design Services (541410)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)
Keywords
Where Archaus is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wellington
- HQ country
- New Zealand
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices2 records
Markets served
Archaus business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: Professional architectural and interior design services for commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, hospitality, community, and residential projects. Revenue is generated through project-based fees for design, documentation, and project management services.
- BIM Consultancy: Independent BIM consultancy services including building BIM models, model management, and strategic advice to owners and industry leaders on technology-driven process innovation in construction.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels4 records
Archaus product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Archaus is an architecture and interior design firm that delivers architectural design services across commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, hospitality, community, and healthcare projects. Its offering is anchored by an in-house BIM (Building Information Modelling) consultancy practice and computer-generated 3D visualisation capabilities used for design coordination, consent applications, and marketing, operating under the "ARCHITECTURE + BIM" byline.
Product overview
Archaus is a Wellington and Auckland-based architectural and interior design firm delivering a diverse range of projects from commercial and industrial developments to multi-unit residential. The core offering consists of architectural design services and interior design, complemented by specialized BIM (Building Information Modelling) consultancy services where they position themselves as industry leaders. Supporting services include computer-generated visualisations for various project phases. The firm operates under the ARCHITECTURE + BIM byline, emphasizing the integration of design and building information technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Architectural Design Services Comprehensive architectural design services delivering cost-effective, innovative design solutions for commercial, industrial, and multi-unit residential developments, led by directors Chad McMan and Christian Bertschinger.
- Interior Design Services Interior design solutions integrated with architectural projects to create cohesive built environments for commercial, retail, hospitality, and residential clients.
- BIM Consultancy Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Three awards at 2024 Property Industry Awards including Excellence in Community & Affordable Housing and Sustainable Building Category
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Archaus
Customer profileNamed customers16 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Archaus technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Archaus partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Paterson + Cullen + ArchauscoreA partnership arrangement between Archaus and Paterson+Cullen operating from the Auckland office location at 39 Jervois Road, Ponsonby. This collaboration extends Archaus's presence in the Auckland market through a formal partnership structure.
- VicinitycoreDevelopment company founded by Archaus co-founder Mike Cole. Vicinity is a repeat client developer partner for multiple residential projects including Ink'd Apartments (Pirie Street), M² (Martin Square), and III DXN (Dixon Street). The relationship provides Archaus with ongoing design commissions.
- Kalmar ConstructionmajorConstruction partner for the award-winning 308 Remuera Road Apartments project which won Gold Award at NZ Commercial Project Awards 2023.
- McKee Fehl ConstructorsmajorConstruction partner for Te Ara o Puanga (Mary Potter Apartments) which won Silver Award at NZ Commercial Project Awards 2023.
- Bonham DesignminorInterior design collaborator on 245 Kepa Road luxury terrace homes project in Mission Bay, Auckland.
- Arrow International LtdmajorConstruction company that delivered the Jucy Snooze Christchurch project, noted as having 'pulled the project together superbly' according to Archaus.
- Fletcher ConstructionmajorMain contractor for Wellington International Airport car park building project.
- Homestead ConstructionminorConstruction contractor for Lyall Bay Surf Club project.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Archaus competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Jasmax: Large NZ architecture and design practice (now part of Warren and Mahoney) with deep experience in commercial, healthcare, education, and public-sector projects. Comparable as a direct competitor for the same Wellington/Auckland enterprise mandates Archaus targets.
- Athfield Architects: Wellington-headquartered architecture firm with a strong portfolio in residential, commercial, and public projects. Comparable in size and Wellington base to Archaus, competing for the same regional clients and design talent pool.
- Patterson Architects: NZ architecture practice with significant multi-unit residential, commercial, and urban design work. Comparable in scale and service profile, directly competing for NZ developer-led residential and mixed-use commissions.
- Ignite Architects: NZ architecture practice focused on commercial, residential, and hospitality projects. Comparable mid-sized NZ firm competing in similar Wellington/Auckland markets and project typologies.
- Studio Pacific Architecture: Wellington-based architecture and urban design practice with multi-sector expertise spanning civic, residential, and commercial work. Directly comparable in scale, geographic base, and project typology mix to Archaus.
- Warren and Mahoney: One of New Zealand's largest and most awarded architecture practices with offices across NZ and Australia. Direct competitor for the same enterprise, commercial, residential, and public-sector design mandates that Archaus pursues, with comparable BIM and design-led service offerings.
Regional players
- Architectus: Australasian architecture and urban design practice with offices across Australia and NZ. Comparable service mix and project typologies (commercial, residential, public), with regional overlap in NZ and broader scale advantages in Australia.
Broad incumbents
- Beca Group: One of NZ's largest engineering, architecture, and advisory consultancies with international reach. Competes for the same large institutional, infrastructure, and commercial design mandates but with a much broader multi-disciplinary portfolio and global footprint.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Archaus social profiles
Digital presenceArchaus financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Archaus leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Archaus funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Archaus M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Archaus
What does Archaus do?
Archaus is an architecture and interior design firm that delivers architectural design services across commercial, industrial, multi-unit residential, hospitality, community, and healthcare projects. Its offering is anchored by an in-house BIM (Building Information Modelling) consultancy practice and computer-generated 3D visualisation capabilities used for design coordination, consent applications, and marketing, operating under the "ARCHITECTURE + BIM" byline.
Is Archaus a public or private company?
Archaus is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Archaus founded?
Archaus was founded in 1994. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Archaus based?
Archaus is headquartered in Wellington, New Zealand, in the Oceania region.
How does Archaus make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Architectural Design Services are the primary driver. The others are BIM Consultancy.
Who are Archaus's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Jasmax, Athfield Architects, Patterson Architects, Ignite Architects, Studio Pacific Architecture and Warren and Mahoney. Architectus is listed as a regional player. Beca Group is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Archaus have an API?
No public API is recorded for Archaus.
What industry is Archaus in?
Archaus's product category is Architectural Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of BPAHAKAB, Interior Design Services. Its NAICS code is 541310.