What is the typical timeframe required?

Our experience is that anywhere between 8-12 months is a realistic timeframe for design, approvals, and pricing (dependent on planning delays). Construction timeframes vary depending on the builder chosen and their capabilities.

This timeframe allows sufficient space for the client to consider concepts fully and provide feedback to us.

How do we go about starting a project together?

Feel free to give us a call, or schedule a callback (refer the bottom of our page) at a convenient time.

If we're able to assist, we'll provide a complementary 30 minute video meeting to better understand what matters to you. During this time, we'll walk you through a project, so you get a good understanding of our involvement and capabilities.

What can we expect for architectural fees?

All projects are individually quoted upon your particular requirements.

We provide a detailed description of services and estimate external consultant and authority fees so you get a clear picture of costs outside of construction costs.

Do you work with particular builders?

We believe one of the benefits of having an Architect onboard is that we're independent. Therefore, the project is never tied to one builder, unlike if designing a home with a builder.

We maintain an interest in many skilled builders, enabling us to suggest to clients builders we believe would be a good fit for their project. We have also had positive relationships with many builders who we could recommend again. The decision to go with a builder is the clients.

Can you shed a light on what you typically coordinate?

We bring together all the moving parts beautifully.

Design-wise, we coordinate in-house all materials, fittings, windows and door selections, roof design and solar, electrical fixtures including lighting design, joinery, decks, paving and tanks. We are sometimes called up to provide landscape packages for our clients to plant out themselves, at other times we happily work with landscape designers/architects.

Behind the scenes we coordinate cost estimates, all permit requirements, construction documents and contract terms, builder engagement including tenders, site visits, defect resolution and any curveballs!

I've heard of Passivhaus. Why might I be interested in a Passivhaus?

A Passivhaus is a home that can look like any other. Where it's different is in its superior thermal comfort and very low energy use.

Passivhaus homes are highly insulated well above minimum standards, maintain much warmer winter temperatures internally, use a fraction of the heating and boast constant fresh air. If you're going to be investing significant in a forever home, it's worth considering if you can 'go Passiv,' and enjoy reduced ongoing energy bills and improved climate-resilience.

We're engaged members of the Australian Passivhaus community and Passivhaus certified.

We're concerned about costs. How do you manage that?

Cost consciousness informs many of the design decisions we make. We always seek to propose design options that honour the brief, but may make minimal structural change.

At the first stage of Concept Design, we obtain an external cost estimate based upon detailed allowances. This provides confidence on the likely cost to achieve the design and enables us to modify the design as necessary.

As we move through the project, we track changes and keep you abreast of how this may impact costs. We also advise of the range of prices to be expected by competing builders to set realistic expectations.