A warm, comfortable, and healthy home shouldn’t be a luxury you can’t afford. That’s why we specialise in resource-efficient, functional, and thoughtfully designed homes that are built to last for life, with minimal environmental impact.
We design for sustainability and longevity
Self sufficiency and energy efficiency are at the heart of our work. Our house designs draw from renewable natural resources by incorporating rainwater harvesting and solar energy, creating homes that are comfortable, climate resilient, and affordable to run.
We’re experts with decades of experience in sustainable residential architecture and design, including:
- passive house design
- passive solar house design
- strawbale houses
- mudbrick houses
- hempcrete construction
- structural insulated panel (SIP) houses
- double-stud frames
Innovative architecture that works for you
No project or place is the same, which is why all our projects start with a free consultation where we discuss your dreams, vision, and needs. We always take time to gain a deep understanding of you, your ideal way of living, and how we can optimise your site’s potential. We prioritise a clever and efficient use of space, and can tailor the size of your project based on your brief and budget.
Engaging a residential architect helps your vision remain a focus throughout the process, and guarantees you’re left with a truly sustainable home you can enjoy for years to come.
Residential architectural design for renovations, new builds, and alterations
Whether you’re planning your new home, wanting to improve an existing residence, or taking on a renovation project, we can help design a meaningful, functional, and nurturing space fit to your needs. Get in touch with us for a free consultation to get started.
Frequently asked questions
How do you price your residential projects?
We often start by looking at what recent similar projects cost to get an idea of cost per square metre. At the beginning of each project, we consider your budget and then set some parameters on what the maximum size of your home and complexity of the construction should be. We also consider other project costs, such as specialist consultants like structural engineers, soil testing, and whether off-grid services like solar power and water tanks are required.
We may also choose to contact a quantity surveyor to do preliminary cost estimates based on a concept design, or speak to a builder to get a cost estimate to help keep the project and budget in check while the house is designed.
Once the final drawings and structural engineering are complete, a builder can then give a complete detailed quote.
I don’t live close to Melbourne or in Victoria. Can you do site visits further or can we do this virtually?
We specialise in cold-climate design, so at the moment we only take projects in-person in Victoria and virtually in Tasmania.
Can you design to a budget?
This is always our aim, which is why we discuss the budget from day one.
We want to prepare designs that are realistically achievable, and are always very open about whether we think something you want is going to exceed your budget. We want to know your priorities within your budget, whether it’s a high-quality home that’s compact or maybe a bigger home built more economically.
We always encourage our clients to prioritise a high-quality building exterior: better windows and doors, insulation, and airtightness, so that the finished house is comfortable to live in and cheap to run.
What is the difference between an architect and a residential designer?
To be called an architect you must register with the Architects Registration Board after completing a degree in architecture, achieving a minimum timeframe of relevant industry experience, and sitting a two-part exam. This whole process can take 10 years.
Typically, an architect who’s gaining experience will work across a range of projects, including working on large-scale projects, practice management, project management, and building procurement processes. Architectural education has a heavy focus on design theory, history, and learning to solve problems across different kinds of projects. Generally a design from an architect will be imbued with meaning and reasoning as to why it looks the way that it does, and you will be guaranteed something that’s both unique and functional.
Residential designers generally do vocational study where they learn to draft plans, read building codes, and develop their technical skills.
Each architect or residential designer will have their own strengths, so choosing one over the other comes down to which approach aligns best with your vision and project needs.
How much can I collaborate with you on the design process?
We encourage a detailed and robust briefing before we start the design process. After presenting initial design concepts, you’ll have as much opportunity to provide feedback as you’d like. We always reserve room for design changes and preparing multiple options so that you are sure about the design before committing.
We will never say ‘no, we won’t change anything else’, because it’s a house for you, not for us. We’ll offer our best advice and explain our design choices, but ultimately, we’re here to make sure you get a home you understand, enjoy, and can happily grow old in.
Can you assist in contracting a builder for my project?
We can assist in helping you find a suitable builder, or multiple builders if you wish to get comparative quotes, and are available to assist during the building contract preparation process to make sure the builder provides all the crucial aspects of your design.
We’re available to assist during the construction process to help solve problems and advise.