Building consent documentation
Consent drawings need to explain the design, construction intent, compliance approach and consultant information clearly enough for council processing.
Building Consent ServicesWhy working with a NZ Registered Architect matters for your building consent.
ArchSolutioNZ was founded and is directed by Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda, NZ Registered Architect No. 6195. Your project is reviewed through an architect-led, consent-focused process before it reaches council.
NZRAB Registration No. 6195Founded & Directed by Alejandro Hidalgo UzquedaBuilding Consent SpecialistsRemote NZ-wide support
Professional credentials
ArchSolutioNZ is founder-led by a NZ Registered Architect.
Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda is listed on the New Zealand Registered Architects Board register as a currently registered architect. This gives clients a clear professional point of accountability for architect-led design and consent documentation.
Full registered name
Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda
Registration number
NZRAB No. 6195
Initial registration
12-Oct-2021
Current status
Registered
Next continued registration assessment
2031
Practice connection
ArchSolutioNZ / Hidalgo Architects
Bottom line
A registered architect is more than someone who can draw plans.
For building consent work, accountability matters. A NZ Registered Architect is recognised through NZRAB and brings design judgement, Building Code awareness and coordination discipline to the documents council reviews.
ArchSolutioNZ is directed by Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda, NZ Registered Architect No. 6195.
Architect-led documentation can support building consents, RFIs, Certificate of Acceptance projects and feasibility reviews.
For restricted building work design, a NZ Registered Architect is treated as licensed in the design class.
Architect-led accountability
Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda
Founder of ArchSolutioNZ and NZ Registered Architect No. 6195.
View LinkedIn profileWhy this matters
Building consent problems often start before the application is lodged.
Many consent delays come from unclear drawings, missing consultant coordination, poor scope definition, Building Code gaps, or uncertainty about who is responsible for each part of the documentation. Architect-led documentation helps align design intent, compliance information and council-ready evidence before the application reaches the building consent authority.
RFI and council support
When council asks questions, an architect-led response can help turn technical issues into structured, evidence-based documentation updates.
Council SupportCoA and unconsented work
Certificate of Acceptance projects need careful scope definition, evidence gathering and professional coordination because the work is already completed.
CoA SupportArchitect, LBP and Design 3
Is a NZ Registered Architect technically equivalent to LBP Design 3?
For design-class restricted building work, a NZ Registered Architect is treated as licensed in the LBP design class. In practical terms, that can include Design 3 work where the architect has the competence and the project scope fits that level of design responsibility.
The key distinction is scope. This design-class treatment does not make a registered architect a general trade LBP, builder, roofer, foundation specialist or construction supervisor. Construction and trade restricted building work still needs the correct practitioner for that work.
NZ Registered Architect
A person registered through the New Zealand Registered Architects Board. In a consent project, this role is typically connected to architectural design, documentation, professional judgement, Building Code coordination and council-ready drawing packages.
LBP Design Class / Design 3
The design licence pathway relates to design work for buildings that will be constructed or altered. Design 3 is associated with more complex design work within that pathway.
Where the overlap sits
A NZ Registered Architect can be treated as licensed for restricted building work design, including Design 3 where the scope and competence align.
Where the overlap stops
Physical trade work, site supervision, carpentry, roofing, foundations and Records of Work for construction RBW remain separate from architect registration unless a separate trade licence applies.
Clear comparison
NZ Registered Architect vs LBP Design 3 vs trade LBP
These roles can all be relevant to a building project, but they do not mean the same thing. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right professional before you spend money on consent documentation or construction.
| Question | NZ Registered Architect | LBP Design 3 | Trade LBP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Architectural design, professional design judgement, documentation, coordination and Building Code design thinking. | Design work within the LBP design licence framework. | Physical construction or supervision within a specific trade licence class. |
| Public register | New Zealand Architects Register / NZRAB. | LBP register, unless covered by another recognised professional registration pathway. | LBP register under the relevant trade licence class. |
| Building consent relevance | Can prepare and coordinate architectural documentation and provide registration details where design RBW certification is required. | Can prepare or supervise design RBW and issue the required design certificate for the parts they designed. | May be needed for carrying out or supervising construction RBW and providing Records of Work. |
| Is it equivalent? | Treated as licensed in the design class for restricted building work design, including Design 3 where scope and competence align. | Design 3 is an LBP design area of practice. It is not the same as being a registered architect. | No. A trade LBP is not the same as an architect or LBP designer. |
| Best use case | Building consent drawings, design coordination, council RFI responses, CoA documentation and architectural decision-making. | Design RBW documentation within the designer's competence and licence scope. | Construction work, site work and trade-specific restricted building work. |
Professional verification
Check the right register before you start.
Before committing to a consent pathway, check that the person or company you are relying on has the right credentials and scope. For architect-led consent documentation, verify the NZRAB registration. For construction or trade restricted building work, check the relevant LBP class.
What to check
- Confirm the registered name: Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda.
- Confirm NZRAB registration number: 6195.
- Confirm current status: Registered.
- For design RBW, understand whether the professional is covered by architect registration or an LBP design class.
- For physical construction RBW, check the relevant trade LBP separately.
- Keep written records of scope, fees, responsibilities and exclusions.
How we can help
Architect-led support for consent-heavy projects across New Zealand.
ArchSolutioNZ is suited to projects where architectural documentation, council communication and technical coordination matter. Start with the pathway that best matches your situation.
Common terms
Why similar search terms can point to different professionals.
Homeowners often search for registered architect, licensed building practitioner, LBP Design 3, building practitioner licence, certified building practitioner or register of licensed building practitioners. These phrases can overlap during a project, but they are not interchangeable.
Plain-English distinction
Use the NZ Architects Register when you want to verify a registered architect. Use the LBP register when you want to verify a specific licensed building practitioner class. For design-class restricted building work, a NZ Registered Architect can be treated as a Design LBP, but that does not replace a trade LBP where physical construction work requires one.
Important distinction
Architect-led design documentation is different from carrying out or supervising trade restricted building work. A project may need both design documentation and the correct construction practitioners.
Official checks
Verify registration and restricted building work requirements.
These official references help you confirm professional registration, understand the design-class pathway and check whether your project needs a particular practitioner for restricted building work.
Learn more about us
Continue through the ArchSolutioNZ trust and process pages.
Learn how we work, why clients choose us, and how our remote NZ-wide workflow supports consent-focused architectural documentation.
Questions
NZ Registered Architect, NZRAB and LBP Design 3 questions
Clear answers for homeowners, investors and businesses comparing registered architects, LBP Design 3 and building consent documentation support.
Who founded and directs ArchSolutioNZ?
ArchSolutioNZ was founded and is directed by Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda, a NZ Registered Architect listed on the NZRAB register under registration number 6195.
What is Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda's NZRAB registration number?
Alejandro Hidalgo Uzqueda is listed on the NZRAB register with registration number 6195.
Is a NZ Registered Architect equivalent to LBP Design 3?
For restricted building work design, New Zealand Registered Architects are treated as LBPs in the design class. This can include Design 3 work where the architect is competent for the scope. It does not mean a registered architect is a general trade LBP or construction supervisor.
Does a NZ Registered Architect appear on the LBP register?
Not necessarily. Registered architects are verified through the New Zealand Architects Register. For design-class restricted building work, a registered architect can be treated as a Design LBP without appearing as a standard trade LBP listing.
Why use a registered architect for a building consent?
Building consent projects often require technical design judgement, Building Code awareness, coordination with engineers and clear council-ready documentation. A registered architect can help align design intent, compliance information and consent documentation.
Start your project with an architect-led review.
Send through your project idea, plans, photos or council letter. We will identify the right pathway and confirm a fixed-fee scope before any documentation work begins.