- HB Architecture
HB Architecture
Designing with purpose, grounded in place.
HB Architecture is a Whangārei-based architecture studio known for thoughtful, context-driven design. Founded in 2007 by Grant Harris and Ian Butt, and now led solely by Grant, the practice brings over five decades of architectural experience to projects across New Zealand. From cultural landmarks like the Hundertwasser Art Centre to award-winning work at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, HB’s portfolio spans civic, cultural, residential, and educational spaces. Their approach blends deep local knowledge with technical expertise, creating work that feels grounded in place and built to last.
The Challenge
In a competitive market and a slowing economy, HB Architecture needed to showcase more than just completed projects.
They needed to communicate the thoughtful design process, core values, and talented people behind their work. While their existing presence highlighted project achievements, it lacked elements that would convey their design philosophies and distinctive strengths.
Our challenge was to elevate HB’s brand by crafting a cohesive, compelling story and visual identity that clearly articulates the calibre of their architecture. The goal was to position HB distinctly in the market, highlight their unique values, and enable prospective clients and partners to quickly connect with the full scope and depth of their expertise.
The Strategy
Our approach focused on translating HB Architecture’s story into a clear, engaging narrative that feels authentic and approachable, while simultaneously delivering a sophisticated and visually compelling brand presence.
To position HB as a leading architectural firm and articulate the core pillars of their work and process. We revitalised their visual identity across multiple platforms, including their website, email marketing campaigns, and print media for magazine ads.
Services
- Strategy
- Brand & Story Development
- Website Design & Build
- Print & Digital Media
- Copywriting
- Social Media
- Email Marketing
Key elements of the strategy included:
Drawing on nearly 20 years of practice to craft a cohesive and memorable studio narrative that highlights HB’s philosophy, process, and people.
Building a polished, user-friendly website that elevates HB’s portfolio while clearly communicating their design values.
Showcasing a curated selection of diverse projects that reflect the firm’s scale, typology, and impact, with a strong emphasis on high-quality visuals and storytelling.
Designing sophisticated print ads for targeted magazines to increase brand visibility among industry peers and prospective clients.
Creating email marketing campaigns that present thought leadership and project highlights to nurture ongoing relationships and new prospects.
Developing a consistent content rhythm for Grant’s LinkedIn presence, blending professional insights, project stories, and candid industry commentary to build credibility and extend HB’s network.
The Results
HB Architecture now has a unified story across its website, email, print media, and social channels.
HB Architecture’s refreshed studio and project narratives now give prospective clients and partners a clear sense of who they are, what they stand for, and the value they bring. The new content has become a touchpoint for relationship-building, positioning HB not just as experienced architects, but as trusted collaborators who balance design excellence with genuine care for people and place.
Grant’s LinkedIn has become a high-performing channel for authority building, with measurable impact. Two posts alone achieved over 50,000 impressions each and more than 1,000 engagements, demonstrating the power of consistent, personable storytelling to grow both their brand profile and business pipeline.
We continue to partner with HB to create content that authentically reflects the people, thinking, and craft behind their work. The outcome is a more visible, relatable, and memorable brand presence that opens doors to new opportunities.