In addition to the design the council is also preparing a Napier War Memorial Policy.
Barry Natusch, son of Guy Natusch, relayed some of his father's thoughts about the rebuild. As the original building could not be put back, he said he felt the restoration should reflect the original building.
Architect James Blackburne said to have Guy's endorsement was "very special".
Some audience members clapped when Blackburne acknowledged council staff who kept the plaques and Eternal Flame, which will be reinstated.
He showed photos of the original building and an early sketch of the design before the design was unveiled.
Wise said construction would start by the end of this year with a view to complete it by August next year.
Napier man Alan Rhodes said the community had not been consulted and claimed the meeting was an attempt to "sell a concept". His comment was met by a number of "here heres".
He said the people of Napier were "being lectured and told". Wise replied that there had been consultation on a number of occasions.
A Vietnam war veteran said the design was "bloody inspirational".
The War Memorial Reference Group agreed to the concept drawings at the start of the month.
The design concept includes the Roll of Honour and Eternal Flame. Image / Supplied
The design concept includes a curved wall physically connected to the building, displaying the Roll of Honour, Eternal Flame, a water feature, seating space, remembrance artwork, and landscaping.
The design will now go before council for formal adoption. Image / Supplied
Guy Natusch, the architect of the original War Memorial Hall on Marine Parade, was an advisor to the reference group until his death five months ago.
He requested heritage architects be a part of the design team and endorsed the appointment of architects Blackburne and Jeremy Salmond to provide heritage advice and guidance to the reference group which included representatives of the community, Heritage Places, the defence force and the Napier and Taradale Returned Services Associations.
The memorial has been a topic of controversy for the past four years.
It was renamed the Napier Conference Centre in 2017, rebranded for conference and events marketing purposes, and the eternal flame and roll stripped.
Amid an outcry, it was then renamed the Napier War Memorial Centre the following year.
The design will now go before council for formal adoption.
