Design Builders is excited to introduce Hayley, who will head up our new Wānaka and Central Otago region. With more than two decades of experience across design, construction and project management, she brings both deep industry knowledge and a genuine connection to the place she calls home.
Hayley first came to Wānaka on holiday 22 years ago. What was meant to be a short stay turned into a permanent one.
“I came to Wānaka on holiday 22 years ago and never left. It’s home to me and my family,” she says. “My kids have grown up here and are now entering the building industry themselves. It’s a great place to live, with such a fantastic mix of lifestyle and community.”
As Design Builders launches its new Wānaka and Central Otago region, Hayley is looking forward to helping more local families create homes designed around the way they live.
Hayley Barbour, Managing Director
Design Builders Wānaka and Central Otago
027 383 3024
hayley.barbour@designbuilders.co.nz
A career built around design, construction and people
Hayley’s path into the industry runs through design, construction and project management, she’s worked across the full building journey. For her, the most rewarding part of the job isn’t the technical side; it’s the people.
“The thing I love most about working with clients is guiding them through the process, realising their dreams and getting them into a home that they love,” she says. “It’s about taking their ideas and combining those with what’s achievable on the site, within the rules and their budget.”
That belief in the emotional weight of good design shapes how she thinks about a home in the first place.
“I think that’s probably the reason I got into design in the first place, because it changes the way you feel when you walk into a space. You can make it feel whatever way people want it to feel, warm and cosy, or light and airy. It’s a really personal space that you invite people into.”
In Wānaka and Central Otago, that personal approach has to reckon with a demanding climate. “The climate is so varied and harsh. You need to think about dry, hot summers, very cold winters, and the wind, which is Wānaka’s best kept secret. Creating sheltered outdoor areas and designing with the environment in mind is really important.”
Know your site before you fall in love with a design
If there’s one piece of advice Hayley gives future homeowners most often, it’s this: understand your section before you commit to a plan.
“An easy thing to get wrong when people start thinking about building is not understanding the capabilities of the site,” she says. “Sometimes people have expectations about what they want to create in a home that aren’t aligned with the constraints of their site. A big part of our role is helping people understand what is achievable.”
Her advice is to bring a design and build team in early, ideally before you’ve even bought land.
“If clients have the opportunity to come to us before they purchase a site, we can help them understand what can be achieved. It’s quite common for people to commit to a site without fully understanding the restraints through district plans, covenants or design controls.”
Why choose a design and build approach?
For Hayley, the advantage of working with a design and build company comes down to having one team guide the entire journey, rather than piecing it together yourself.
“I think it ensures the client is getting exactly what they want in a home for their budget.”
Building a new home is a significant milestone, and she believes trust and communication make all the difference in who you choose to do it with.
“My advice for future homeowners would be to do their due diligence. Talk to people and get a feel for who you really connect with, because it’s so important to be guided through the process by someone you trust.”
Bringing local knowledge to every home
Hayley’s years in the area have given her a feel for what makes Wānaka and Central Otago architecture distinct, and where it’s heading.
“Wānaka really attracts that classic Alpine architecture. You’ll always see classic clean-line gables, which are a big feature in the area,” she says. “But we’re also seeing lots of really contemporary architecture coming through, especially on sites where older homes have been removed. There’s a real blend, and it’s an exciting environment to work in.”
Ask her what she’d build for herself, and she doesn’t hesitate: “I’d probably go for the classic gable. I think I’d have a four-bedroom home, with two living areas and a couple of ensuite bedrooms.”
A home built around you
At the heart of Hayley’s approach is creating homes that are truly personalised.
“A home built around you means we’re creating something that is entirely suited to your family, your way of living, the environment, everything you need to consider, and the area that you’re building in.”
For anyone considering building in Wānaka or Central Otago, Hayley’s advice is simple: “Get in touch, have a chat, and see what Design Builders can offer you. I personally think it’s really reassuring to work with somebody who takes care of every detail for you without you having to sweat the small stuff.”
Ready to start your home journey in Wānaka or Central Otago? Contact Hayley and the Design Builders team today.
