DCA Architects of Transformation

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DCA Architects of Transformation We empower the regions to thrive by celebrating and amplifying their unique cultural, physical, social, economic and environmental identity.

DCA Architects of Transformation Ltd is a firm of registered architects and designers, established in 1996 by Darryl Church. We are Rotorua based and the practice has received over 40 industry design awards and on an annually consistent basis. We have helped our residential, public, commercial and education clients achieve project outcomes consistently higher than expectations. DCA’s completed works cover a wide variety, demonstrating our adaptability to listen, research, analyse and deliver projects of relevance, function, environmentally sensitive and of high architectural merit.

Te Akomanga at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is nearing completion!An adaptive reuse of the former Waitangi Bowling Club b...
21/10/2026

Te Akomanga at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds is nearing completion!

An adaptive reuse of the former Waitangi Bowling Club building, the project breathes new life into an existing space, with a covered entrance porch featuring integrated cultural artwork developed alongside Carin Wilson.

A reflection of DCA’s With, Together, For, philosophy working with people and place, coming together through collaboration, and creating spaces for communities and future generations.

Photo credit: Lara Thorne

Lake Tarawera 2.0There is only one thing we love more than designing thoughtfully crafted holiday homes. Doing a second ...
02/10/2026

Lake Tarawera 2.0

There is only one thing we love more than designing thoughtfully crafted holiday homes. Doing a second one for repeat clients 10 years later.

Set on the shores of Lake Tarawera, the plan spans the frontage for maximum views across the lake to Mt. Tarawera. The boat shed and sleep-out flank a sheltered internal courtyard. The void between the masses becomes an informal corridor and directs entry to the central living spaces.

Lake Tarawera 2.0There is only one thing we love more than designing thoughtfully crafted holiday homes. Doing a second ...
01/10/2026

Lake Tarawera 2.0

There is only one thing we love more than designing thoughtfully crafted holiday homes. Doing a second one for repeat clients 10 years later.

Set on the shores of Lake Tarawera, the plan spans the frontage for maximum views across the lake to Mt. Tarawera. The boat shed and sleep-out flank a sheltered internal courtyard. The void between the masses becomes an informal corridor and directs entry to the central living spaces.

The news is out!Big moves at DCA.Nandia Lines + James West are now Principal Partners & Shareholders.Daniel Bristow-Smit...
13/09/2026

The news is out!

Big moves at DCA.

Nandia Lines + James West are now Principal Partners & Shareholders.
Daniel Bristow-Smith is stepping up as our Hawke’s Bay Team Leader.

Big recognition for three people who already make a huge impact across DCA, and who’ll be helping shape where we go next.

Huge congrats Nandia, James and Dan, very well deserved.

With. Together. For.

We’re immensely proud to have received multiple awards at the recent 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards, repre...
26/08/2026

We’re immensely proud to have received multiple awards at the recent 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards, representing the Wellington/Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay/Poverty Bay, and Taranaki/Whanganui/Manawatū regions.

A fantastic recognition of the people, partnerships and thinking behind these projects:

Eskdale School
:: Regional Award for Commercial Architecture
:: Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award for Commercial Architecture
:: Highly Commended Award for Resene Colour in Design

Bledisloe Social Housing, Napier
:: Regional Award for Multi-Unit Housing
:: Regional ADNZ Resene Kaitiakitanga Award for Multi-Unit Housing
:: Commended Award for Resene Colour in Design

Mangapapa School, Gisborne
::Highly Commended Award for Commercial Architecture

We’re thrilled to see these projects spanning social housing and education recognised. These awards reflect the diversity of DCA’s portfolio and our commitment to creating meaningful, context-driven architecture across a wide range of project types and communities.

Thank you to ADNZ, the judges and sponsors, and a huge congratulations to our team, our clients, project partners and everyone involved in bringing each of these projects to life.

With, Together, For.

Project Team / Eskdale School ______

Design: DCA Architects of Transformation – Darryl Church, Werner Naudé, Maire Fleming, Daniel Bristow-Smith, Amanda Roborgh
Client: Ministry of Education
Structural Engineer: BCD Group
Civil / Geotech Engineer: LDE
Service Engineer: Fluid Engineering Consultancy Ltd.
Acoustic Engineer: WSP
Fire Engineer: Smartfire

Project Team / Bledisloe Housing ______

Design: DCA Architects of Transformation – Nick Chibnall-West, James West, Jacqui Topless
Client: Kāinga Ora
Civil: Maven
Contractor: PGC Constructors
Engineering: Development Nous

Project Team / Mangapapa School ______

Design: DCA Architects of Transformation – Nick Chibnall-West, Darryl Church, James West
Client: Ministry of Education
Project Manager: Colliers Project Leaders
Contractor: Currie Construction
Services: Ecubed Building Workshop
Engineering and Civil: LDE

Photography by: Simon Devitt

Excited to see work underway on Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s new Tauranga City Fire Station!This project has been sh...
09/08/2026

Excited to see work underway on Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s new Tauranga City Fire Station!

This project has been shaped through DCA’s genuine co-design process, with everyone’s ideas and perspectives helping create a design that feels connected to its place, purpose and future.

We are thrilled to see Hauparu Bay House featured in the latest edition of HOME magazine!A special project shaped by its...
05/08/2026

We are thrilled to see Hauparu Bay House featured in the latest edition of HOME magazine!

A special project shaped by its spectacular lakeside setting, thoughtful collaboration and a strong connection to place. Grab a copy and check it out.

Designers: DCA Architects of Transformation
BSK Consulting Engineers: Brad Christie / Structural, Ash Bowtell / Geotech
Interior Designer: Yvette Jay Interior Design
Landscape Design: Stellar Projects
Landscaper: Paul Hammond – Terra Firma Landscapes
Builder: Ray Holmes
Photography: Simon Devitt Photographer

With, Together, For.

We’re rapt to have received three accolades at the recent 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards — Waikato / Bay o...
29/07/2026

We’re rapt to have received three accolades at the recent 2026 ADNZ Resene Architectural Design Awards — Waikato / Bay of Plenty!

:: Regional Award, Resene Colour in Design — The Lake House
:: Commended, Commercial Architecture — The Lake House
:: Commended, New Home between 150m² and 300m² — Hauparu Bay House

Thank you to ADNZ, the judges, Resene and the awards sponsors for this recognition.
A huge congratulations goes to everyone involved in bringing these projects to life.

With, Together, For.

Project Team / The Lake House ______

Design: DCA Architects of Transformation – Werner Naude, Nandia Lines, Paulo Silva
Client: Freedom Lifestyle Villages
Interior Designer: Amber Elliston of Amber Interiors
Services Engineer: Pope Electrical
Fire & Structure Engineer: BCD Group
Civil Engineer: Harrsion Grierson
Landscape Architect: RM Landscapes
Photography: .nz /

Project Team / Hauparu Bay House ______

Design: DCA Architects of Transformation – Nick Chibnall-West, Natasha Caple, James West
BSK: Brad Christie / Structural, Ash Bowtell / Geotech
Interior Designer: Yvette Jay interiors and fittings
Photography:

Revisiting St. John’s Church.St. John’s was designed to feel open, warm and welcoming. Not just as a place of worship, b...
21/07/2026

Revisiting St. John’s Church.

St. John’s was designed to feel open, warm and welcoming. Not just as a place of worship, but as a space where the wider community can gather, connect and feel at home.

The design moves away from the traditional barriers often associated with church buildings, replacing grand entrances, dark foyers and imposing façades with light-filled spaces, clear connections and a more approachable scale. Red brick provides a link to the original building, while helping the church sit comfortably within its residential neighbourhood.

Today, St. John’s shows how a thoughtfully crafted building can be both spiritually meaningful and practical, serving the church and wider community now and well into the future — a true community hub.

With, Together, For.

Photography: / .nz

Address

1205 Amohia Street
Rotorua
3010

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Tuesday 7:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 7:30am - 5pm
Thursday 7:30am - 5pm
Friday 7:30am - 5pm

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