Tag: architect

Categories
Architecture RENO ADDICT

Affordable architecture: a more accessible model

A reno by My Architect in Avalon, NSW

“If you value the joy good design brings to life and want your home to be beautifully considered, intelligent and essential, you need an architect.” So says Robert Harwood who with his partner, Cate Rayson, founded Melbourne company, My Architect.

Robert saw an opportunity to rethink residential architectural services and offer Australian homeowners a more accessible, affordable approach. It’s an idea that has seen the company grow to a team of 15 carefully selected, RAIA-registered architects, servicing clients in Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and rural areas.

A reno by My Architect in Avalon, NSW

My Architect offers services from concept to completion. No complex contracts, no sales-speak. After speaking with one of their client managers, you’re personally matched to the architect from their team who best suits your aims and your project. “The first two stages of service come with flat fees and a clear understanding about what you’ll receive, so it’s a great way to experience what our architects can bring to your project, particularly if you haven’t used an architect before.”

Services are structured so that you interact with your client manager and your personal architect throughout. “We wanted to keep things really clear and personal and avoid the ‘shuffling between team members’ that clients so often experience in bigger firms. Clients really love the fact that we keep it one-on-one throughout, ” Robert says.

Stage one includes a two-hour on-site consultation with an architect who’ll provide a clear sense of your property’s potential, based on your budget and other factors. You’ll receive a two-page report with architect’s recommendations, plus a costing to complete the defined work stages.

A rear extension in Fitzroy North, VIC, by My Architect

Progressing to Stage 2 will give you the really exciting bit: scaled, hand-drawn Concept Drawings and the first visualisation of the architectural ‘look’. These become the basis for all further versions of the drawings going forward.

My Architect’s fresh take on architectural services is suitable for all kinds of new home builds or renovation projects, from extensions and additional levels, to rethinking an interior layout of a house or apartment.

“Adding architectural input, whether a little or a lot, will transform your project for the better. This is a great way to do it, whether you’ve never used an architect before, or wouldn’t dream of doing without one.”

Robert (RAIA, RIBA) returned home after a period of practising overseas, realising just how much Australians value good home design but that many are missing out on its advantages due to the complexity of architects’ service structure and pricing. He created My Architect to revolutionise the way Australians approach renovations and new builds, bringing design based on space, light and function, not styling and fads.

Cate Rayson and Robert Harwood of My Architect

In 2017, My Architect was the recipient of an Australian Good Design® Award and the Victorian Premier’s Design Award for Service Design – Best in Category.

For more information

The top six reasons NOT to use an architect

How to choose an architect: questions you need to ask

Categories
Bathrooms Competitions Designers

Brisbane designer wins top international design award

In an impressive coup, Brisbane-based interior designer and architect Renee Popovic beat stiff international competition recently to take out the top prize in the Victoria + Albert 2018 International Design Award, for a bathroom she designed.

Renee Popovic bathroom
Renee’s winning design

Entrants were asked to create a 3m x 3m boutique hotel bathroom that ‘inspires, relaxes and reinvigorates the guest’ and Renee beat over 140 other international interior designers and architects in the process.

Renee Popovic
Renee Popovic

The bathroom combines honed marble, lime wash render, terrazzo and brushed brass and the judges were particularly impressed with Renee’s use of curves within a square space. “My design approach is based on formal principles, but with a modern twist,” says Renee who was sent on an all-expenses-paid trip to see her winning bathroom recreated (using imitation materials) at the recent Salone del Mobile in Milan.

Renee Popovic bathroom

“I was faced with a relatively compact space, so felt it was important to utilise symmetry to create a coherent bathroom. I also chose to mix modern and traditional elements in the bathroom, opting for a modern bath with more traditional basins. Adding the Stone Grey exterior paint finish to the products was also an important detail,” says Renee who relished the opportunity to create a high-end experiential space.

“I was particularly inspired by the brief for boutique hotel design as it gives the designer the chance to create something truly unique that the guest wouldn’t usually experience at home. I was absolutely delighted to see my design come to life at Salone del Mobile,” says Renee.

Renee Popovic bathroom

“Renee’s design was truly original and it created a lot of conversations at Salone del Mobile about the nature of compact space design and how innovative interiors can shape a guest’s experience in a boutique hotel,” says Victoria + Albert’s marketing director Jonathan Carter.

For more | More bathrooms

Categories
Architecture Before & Afters House Tours Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Before & after: A Victorian cottage sees the light

Timber fascia
That fiddle leaf fig is rather lush!

When this inner Melbourne single-fronted Victorian cottage was purchased nine years ago, it was ripe for restoration. “Before the renovation, it was small and dark. We only had two bedrooms and a small living space with a tiny lean-to kitchen and bathroom. But it was on a decent sized block for the area so we had lots of room to extend,” says homeowner Rebecca McDonnell, of the blog The Bargain Styler.

Kitchen before
BEFORE kitchen
Kitchen after
AFTER kitchen

Home to Rebecca, her husband, two small children and a dog, the family began the renovation’s two-year planning process after returning from living interstate. “By the time the back of the home was demolished it was nearly falling apart. We wanted the renovation to let light and greenery in and to accommodate the family as our children grow up,” says Rebecca, who dreamed of a contemporary, open plan layout.

Garden before
BEFORE rear of the home
Rear of the home after
AFTER rear of the home
AFTER garden
AFTER looking out to the newly landscaped backyard from the lounge room

Key to letting the light in is the ample glazing on the northern side of the home – a feature that also allows you to see from one end of the residence to the other. “I love that I can stand in the kitchen and pretty much see the kids at all times due to the angles and the number of windows in the home,” says Rebecca. It wasn’t always that way. Architect Rod Allan of ROAM Architects explains: “The site is six metres wide and 50 metres long with a party wall to the long north boundary. As a result, the house had almost no direct sunlight and no real connection between the interior and exterior spaces.”

Before pic
BEFORE Living room and kitchen
Lounge room AFTER
AFTER The back of the kitchen features timber joinery that demarcates the lounge room

The home’s new-found light is also in large part due to its central courtyard. “We were very keen to create a courtyard in the centre of the long plan which could allow light into the middle of the house. Large two-way sliding doors allow direct access to the courtyard from the second living/play space on one side with a window seat on the opposite side in the kitchen/dining space. By placing a glazed panel at the end of the corridor between the corridor and second living, there are views of the courtyard all the way to the front door,” says Rod.

Curved timber fascia
The new extension features an internal courtyard and curved timber fascia

The curved timber detailing is a design highlight too. “The soft curves of the timber fascia and the splayed wall as you enter the extension combine to create a meandering flow from the front to the back of the house and increase the sense of spaciousness. This allows the main circulation to shift from the north side of the existing house toward the south side in the extension which allows the extension to open to the north light. At the far end of the extension, the roof folds up to capture more light which helps to draw the eye through the space and adds to the sense of spaciousness,” says Rod.

Timber fascia
The new internal courtyard is home to a rather lush fiddle leaf fig!

As for her favourite aspects of her new home, Rebecca names three things: the curved walls, the exposed brick down the hallway (all original, over 100 years old), and the long bench seat in the kitchen. “The children just love it,” she adds.

Kitchen and bench seat
The nine metre long kitchen bench seat provides ample extra seating

Made from Victorian ash, the nine-metre-long seat is stylish yet functional. “It hugs the northern facade of the extension and is a place to hang out with an iPad or a book, chat, play or socialise,” says Rod. “With large sliding and double-hung windows that come down to the seat height, the seat is part of both inside and outside spaces. It really responded to Bec and Andrew’s brief to make the kitchen the social heart of the home and to do this in a way that embraces contemporary open plan living.”

Hallway before
BEFORE hallway
Hallway after
AFTER hallway

“Overall we are really happy with the way we were able to bring so much light into the house given the constraints of the site and the old single fronted house. We also love the long seat and the way this interacts with the kitchen and courtyard to make a place for socialising and indoor-outdoor living,” says Rod.

AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom
AFTER bathroom

Unsurprisingly, Rebecca is also very fond of her brand new, spacious kitchen. “I love that it’s such a large size. It really is the heart of the home.”

Study nook after
AFTER what every blogger needs: a study nook

Photography: Tatjana Plit| Furniture: Curious Grace

For more | Rebecca’s blog

Categories
Architecture Designers Interviews Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real reno: A Sydney semi gets a sensitive & pretty makeover

“The overall aesthetic was to provide a light, spacious, pretty and simply elegant house for a young couple to raise their newborn child,” says architect Brooke Aitken of Brooke Aitken Design. Originally a rabbit-warren of spaces, this post-war, semi-detached brick home in Sydney’s Gladesville had a one-storey extension added recently to improve its livability and aesthetics.

Kitchen & dining

Bought unrenovated by Serena Faber Nelson of Pretty Fluffy (a fabulous site for the canine-obsessed) and her husband Andrew Faber, the impending arrival of the couple’s daughter Emme prompted the overhaul. “Serena became pregnant so an easy living family home was top priority. There were only two good bedrooms, so they needed a third, along with a beautifully spacious living, dining and kitchen area. A laundry, that had easy access to an outside line, and a good bathroom renovation, were required too,” says Brooke.

The new rear extension

“The budget was tight (as in all Sydney builds!) but we managed to keep much of the front part of the semi intact and then knock the back off the house whilst lowering it so it connected to the garden,” says Brooke. The original home had no connection to the garden at all, which is amazing when you look at it now – bi-fold doors open out from the living room and timber flooring continues straight onto the deck.

Kitchen

“I love the way that the house terraces itself from the top to the bottom, and in doing so provides a nook for the sofa to set into. It gives a wonderful sense of height when sitting on the sofa. The connection to the garden was key in the design and the family often sit on the deck outside,” says Brooke who explains that while the home is very open, it is very private too.

Andrew, Emme & Serena Faber

And unlike many modern extensions, the new addition looks seamless from the street. “We aimed to provide a sympathetic addition to the existing brick building but at the same time provide a light, sweet cottagey feel for a family home,” says Brooke. The extension references the building’s past with its painted timber weatherboarding and window details.

The new roof fits beautifully with the old

“Internally, in the living room space, we have detailed the top clerestory windows to continue the tradition of timber detailing seen in post-war cottages. Some of these windows are glazed and some are fixed timber painted panels,” says Brooke. The building’s existing external material palette of red brick and white painted timber windows continues all the way to the garden, unifying the building.

Bathroom

The bathroom was also modernised, and now features a clean monochrome palette and a feature wall of Carrera marble mosaic tiles. “The brief for the entire renovation was for it to be ‘pretty’ which is in line with the Pretty Fluffy brand,” says Brooke.

Living room

Photographer: Gene Ross

Brooke Aitken Design | Check out our other house tours

Categories
House Tours Outdoor & Exteriors

Jen tours a monochrome Hamptons home which is 100% modern

DCIM100MEDIADJI_0836.JPG

On my recent dream trip to The Hamptons as a guest of Scyon Walls, it was all about discovering what Hamptons style really means and how we can make it work in Australia. The aesthetic, or what people perceive it to be, has become so popular and so overly used that in some cases it has become a bit of a parody of itself! Many design enthusiasts might see it as a bit cliche or too classic to be relevant to a modern home. But I’m here to tell you that is not the case!

I was lucky enough to tour this amazing new build in Southampton Village. Yours for a little over US$16 million! I am still dreaming about it more than a month on. It really was beautiful and a great example of a more modern Hamptons look, using a much more black and white palette instead of the traditional blue and white. This was the house which got me wanting to panel every room in my house, remove all my current decor and start again. Luckily for my credit card (and my marriage), I have since had time to breathe and calm down, but I am definitely inspired to add some more Hamptons elements to my home after the trip.

To make this house tour even more special, Scyon Walls arranged for architect to the stars Andre Tchelistcheff to show us around. Afterwards, he gave us a presentation on some of the Hamptons homes he has worked on for a variety of celebrities.  We’re talking next level! Talk about an interiors addict’s dream day!

In these two lounge rooms you can see some of the typical Hamptons features like the paneling, skirting and cornice, and the large, upholstered white lounges. But the palette is black and white so the look is as clean and elegant as it is relaxed and comfortable.

The floorplan allows for open plan living which is how most families prefer to live today. The kitchen cabinets are of course Shaker style but the contrast with the black metal shelving modernises it. You can’t really see it in these photos but the benchtop was an amazing leathered-effect stone rather than the marble you might traditionally expect.

And, as in Australia, a butler’s pantry is a must-have in a house of this size and price point.

And talk about statement! Check out this staircase! Have you ever seen such panelling?! And the black treads on the white risers are very Hamptons.

Up these stairs are seven of the eight bedrooms. Let’s just concentrate on the biggest of the two master suites! It was absolutely huge! And had his and hers en suites on either side of the bed. As you do!

Here’s one of them.

On the outside, this modern home blends into the streetscape with its more expected Hamptons style exterior. It’s all about cladding here (which Scyon are experts in) and shingle. It could have been there for years!

Out the back is amazing.

This pergola is quite simple but very Hamptons. Even the outdoor furniture is generous and comfortable. The neutral palette keeps the look relaxed and breezy but still sophisticated.

Want to see more? Check out the real estate listing.

Inspired? See how Scyon Walls products can help you give your home a Hamptons feel.

Love this read? Sign up to our bi-weekly newsletter to get the best posts straight to your inbox!

Categories
House Tours Interviews RENO ADDICT

A humble Victorian cottage hides a stunning transformation

The modest façade of this Victorian cottage gives nothing away about what lies inside. Originally cramped and dingy, the house was given a new lease on life; turning it into a light-filled modern beauty while still beaming with original features.

The challenge for Apparte Studio, the team behind the transformation, was to create a spacious feel without actually extending the house. “An extension was out of the question due to budget constraints, so all changes had to be made inside the existing envelope,” says director Otto Henkell. “While we couldn’t increase the square meterage of the house, we could add to the volume and feeling of space.”

“We did this by lifting the ceiling to the line of the original rafters which created the opportunity to light the house indirectly by placing LED strips atop the newly exposed ceiling joists.”

With no downlights in sight, the custom linear pendants that complement the lines throughout the interior are definitely a standout feature.

The second bedroom was incorporated into the hallway to form part of the new flexible and open living space, while the kitchen was reconfigured to include a modern island. The dining area now extends out from the island bench and provides a seamless transition to the courtyard.

“We felt a couple would only need one dedicated bedroom. On the occasion that guests stay over, a curtain can be pulled across to ‘wall’ off a spare room.”

The result? A beautiful, crisp and airy modern Victorian cottage.

Want more beautiful house transformations?

For more on Apparte Studio.

Categories
Designers Interviews Kitchens

The kitchen is the hero of these new Melbourne apartments

While it’s often said that a kitchen has the power to sell a home, the new Toorak development The Springfield has taken that idea and built an entire block of apartments around it, recognising its pull for potential buyers.

One of The Springfield’s fabulous kitchens

“The kitchen is one of the first places that people inspect and need to know functions well. It is very like the idea of the fireplace in a home as it’s the place where people come together. There is warmth and there is a magic about it that draws people back. Some of the fondest memories we have are of our mother’s favourite recipe and the chats that occur around the island bench. When all this comes together with a strong aesthetic and a high degree of functionality people find it easier to make the decision to buy,” says the project’s architect Tisha Lee of K2LD Architects.

Tisha cites our collective obsession with food as a key driving factor in the kitchen renaissance too. “In recent times, we have seen a large media focus on the art of cooking and bringing restaurant style menus into the home. Several of our own key restaurants in Melbourne (Movida, Grossi, Chin Chin) have published books and television programmes such as Masterchef make it seem trendy and accessible to the average person to be able to engage with and enjoy the art of entertaining around the kitchen,” says Tisha.

But it’s not just our love of cooking, it’s the way we now live that truly puts the kitchen at the centre of the home. “The open plan nature of living has also influenced this change as well. Now the kitchen is a key part of the entertaining area and as such, the kitchen needs to not only be beautiful and inviting, but also highly functional and practical,” says Tisha.

Joinery details

The Springfield kitchens certainly deliver on the aesthetic front which isn’t surprising given they were designed in collaboration with the high-end Italian furniture manufacturer Molteni & C Dada.  Featuring honey-coloured timber, concealed finger pulls, a lavish five-metre-long marble bench top and Gaggenau appliances, they also boast full-scale Butler’s pantries. But these details don’t come cheap as some of the kitchens in the development are valued at nearly half a million dollars!

The Springfield boasts expansive, luxurious bathrooms too

“I love the attention to detail and how the practical is also made attractive. For example, the sink is complete with options for cutting, draining and sorting. It is so large that roasting pans and pots fit in with ease and never need to be left just sitting on the bench. I also like the provision for simple items such as spice holders, cling wrap containers and cutlery trays which take our ordinary objects and make them look beautiful on display. The warmth of the timber veneer is also something to celebrate making the joinery itself sit like a like crafted piece of furniture within the space. And of course, I love the exceptionally long marble island bench (five metres) where you can cook and entertain people at the same time and feel like your own Masterchef!” says Tisha.

Bathroom

For more.

Categories
Designers House Tours Interviews RENO ADDICT

Home makeover: California bungalow an exercise in restraint

Combining original Art Deco features with a previous renovation, this Californian bungalow received the makeover treatment recently, with Melbourne architect Jos Tan at the helm. Charged with making the home feel less cramped and more user friendly, Jos reconfigured the space (adding an ensuite and study) and updated the bathroom and kitchen too. “We managed to get the most out of not doing too much,” says Jos, referencing the project’s budget constraints.

“The existing living areas needed to be opened up and reconnected to the front of the house. The old kitchen was cramped, lacked storage, and felt separated from the adjacent living and dining areas. The existing bathroom was dark and awkward, and needed to be reconfigured too,” says Jos of the home that is located in the Melbourne suburb of West Brunswick.

Conscious of honouring the home’s original Art Deco details (leadlight windows are a feature), Jos was careful not to reference the period directly. “Reproduction or reinterpretation of the old details within the new renovation would have added a confusing layer to the already somewhat complicated cultural history of the house,” says Jos.

“When adding texture, I deliberately used common but classic patterns such as hex mosaics and subway tiles for the very reason that they are reminiscent of an older but somewhat indeterminate era, hence gently stitching the new in with the old. For this particular project, I felt that experimenting with new materials and imposing a fresh aesthetic would have been inappropriate,” says Jos.

“I am very happy with how quietly and comfortably the new sits with the old. It’s often hard to sell the idea of restraint, and I was very fortunate to have clients that understood and trusted me, along with a builder who took pride in the quality of his work. Simplicity needs care to succeed,” says Jos.

Learn more about Jos.

Photography: Tom Ross

Categories
Architecture RENO ADDICT

Real Build: Majestic, resort-style home in Sydney’s north-west

An extraordinary water curtain, six-point-six metre ceilings and tiles imported all the way from Spain – no expense was spared when building “Le Farah,” a one-of-a-kind six bedroom, six bathroom home in Sydney’s north-west.

“It was very important to have seamless indoor and outdoor integration and a very open plan layout,” said designer and owner Kate Nelson. “My favourite part of the home is that I feel secluded. When I come home, I feel like I’ve stepped into a beautiful oasis, yet I’m only minutes from the city which makes it very convenient.

lounge

“I wanted to be the first developer to showcase luxury, high-end resort living in such a prestigious area. I believe you live once, and there are too many stresses in the world, so when you come home it should feel like a sanctuary. This home makes you feel that from the moment you walk in the front door, which by the way, is a huge three-metre cedar pivot door, that I personally designed and had handcrafted.”

facade

Expansive walls of glass, maximise natural light and draw the eye out to home’s centrepiece – a breathtaking water curtain, that creates a serene atmosphere as it trickles water into the saltwater pool below.

“The most challenging part was creating a one-of-a-kind, eight-metre water curtain. It took a large crane to bring the beams into place and a number of people on scaffolds to hold them, while another person screwed the beams into the walls. It was a mission but it just fits into the place so perfectly,” Kate says.

pool

The open-plan kitchen features Italian marble with high-end Smeg and Miele appliances, while the fireplace is wrapped in natural tiles, imported from Spain. “I really wanted to incorporate the four elements –  fire, earth, water and air,” said owner and designer Kate.

“Fire is represented by the large fireplace. Earth is the nature stone walls that feature at the front of the home and extend into the large foyer.

entrance

“Water is the large pool and spa that makes you feel like you’re in a tropical oasis, while air is all the walls of glass and large stacker doors to further integrate indoors and out,” Kate says.

The majestic double story brick home, located at 16 Grosvenor Road Linfield, is now on the market. View the listing click here.

Categories
House Tours Kids Rooms Kitchens

Vast spaces, timber & natural light define this Modernist home

The timber-clad, low-lying front elevation of this Melbourne family home belies the loftiness of the spaces within. Nestled amongst a mix of Edwardian homes, old mansions and new builds, the home is a beautiful mix of vast open space, timber, polished concrete and boasts an abundance of natural light.

7

The front of the home

“At first, we thought the site’s dramatic fall from street front to its rear would be our greatest constraint, however, we came to see it as an opportunity to play with the internal scale and a way for us to take full advantage of the uninterrupted views to the south,” says architect Tisha Lee of K2LD Architects.

1

Kitchen & living

The site’s steep slope presented an architectural challenge but it’s one that has been handled adroitly – when you enter the house, dramatic cantilevering is revealed along with two more levels. “Adopting a discreet presentation to the street, the northern elevation presents as a pair of inverted ‘Ls’ – one concrete and lightly hovering over the ground plane, the other constructed out of blackbutt timber batten sunshades,” says Tisha.

3

Internal courtyard

At 6.5 metres in height, the ceilings take lofty to another level and, combined with full-height windows, really take advantage of the home’s sweeping city views. Upon entering the home you are greeted by a central courtyard that provides an abundance of light as well as separation between the childrens’ rooms with the rumpus to the north and master suite to the south. The glazed flooring of the courtyard serves as a skylight, filtering northern light down through to the south facing kitchen and dining areas downstairs.

8

Children’s room

The home also boasts outdoor entertaining areas and a wine cellar as the owners love to entertain.

10

Backyard

“Practical and functional, yet architecturally sophisticated, we see this as a home that can not only withstand being lived in but was intentionally built for a lifestyle of socialising, entertaining, interaction and play,” says Tisha.

See here for more.

 

Categories
Bathrooms Kitchens

Buyers purchase multiple apartments to create one large home

Initial purchase data from the Melbourne multi-residential project Alexa, has revealed an interesting new trend. With extra living space in mind, buyers are purchasing multiple apartments in the one development with the intention of creating one larger dwelling.

ACP008 V01A AThe Alexa exterior

“We don’t believe in providing ‘one-size-fits-all’ apartments. By providing a range of types in Alexa, we’ve allowed buyers to determine whether it’s a one, two or three bedroom that they’re after,” says Steven Langeveld, development director at Accord Property Group.

ACP008 V06A AExpansive outdoor spaces

With one, two and three bedroom-plus-study apartments up for grabs and amenities such as multiple storage spaces, car parking and outdoor spaces, this development is a great example of thoughtful urban design.

ACP008 V05A AWe are swooning over those rose gold bathroom fixtures!

We’re particularly impressed by the fact that all ground floor apartments come with their own private outdoor terrace area of up to 75.3 square metres – a pretty generous size for inner-city living and ideal for pet owners.

ACP008 V02A A

Expansive living spaces prove apartment living needn’t be claustrophobic

We also love the imaginative exterior of the building – its organic lines and dark bronze paneling in particular. “The design was actually the reason the council granted two additional storeys to be built on top of the five storeys traditionally approved for this area,” says Steven of the building that was designed by Melbourne architectural practice ClarkHopkinsClarke.

Click here for more.

 

Categories
Architecture Design RENO ADDICT

The top 6 reasons to not use an architect

I often hear lots of understandable reasons why people don’t use architects – often generated by very bad experiences their friends or family have had.

It is never my intention to push you to use an architect. Only you can decide who the best person is (if it’s anyone at all) to help you with the design of your home build or renovation. My mission is always to inform you, so you can feel confident and empowered in every choice you make as you create or transform your home.

So here are the top reasons I know of, and some info on what to consider if this is the reason you’re not using an architect.

Undercover Architect

1. They’re too expensive

Architects generally charge 10-to-15% of the construction cost of a project, based on how complex or large it is. Generally, the higher the construction cost, the lower the percentage. Their fees will also be linked to the construction cost – so if your building budget goes up, so do their fees.

It may seem too costly to hand over that much of your budget to an architect, because you’ll have to go without in other areas of your build or reno. However, that 10-to-15% is what it will cost to have an architect partner you for the entire project – right through to completion. Perhaps you don’t need that level of assistance from an architect? Perhaps you want help with your design only, and can then find less expensive assistance or manage the rest yourself? You don’t have to use an architect the whole way through, and can still get a far-improved outcome overall for their input at the right time (especially in the design).

If you’re planning a small project, getting started with the right strategy and design ideas can save you a fortune in the long-term. Most architects will charge $150-to-400/hour for a consultation. There’s very few projects I know of that wouldn’t benefit from an hour of expert assistance at the beginning, and even part way through the project.

Don’t forget that using a professional to guide and assist you can actually save you cash. In better strategies design-wise, eliminating mistakes, accessing discounted items and exposure to far more of the industry than you can access alone. Find a professional who has demonstrated experience in adding value in this way.

2. They will design me something that’s over my budget

This one is unfortunately supported by the experiences of many homeowners and it’s not just limited to working with architects.

So often, I see projects commence where the homeowner has outlined a firm budget, and then followed a design process with their chosen professional. They get to the end, they’re in love with the result, and they get it costed by a builder. And it’s 1.5 times, or double, or triple their budget. Totally frustrated, they throw in the towel, or start again, or massively scale back their plans. And everything feels like a compromise from that point.

As I said, this experience isn’t limited to working architects, and even if you don’t use an architect, it won’t make you immune to it for your project.

How do you keep your project on budget?

  • Research your chosen professional well, so you find someone who has a track record for working to budgets
  • Be clear about what it is, and don’t play tricks with your designer to ‘keep them honest’. It’s not conducive to building a trusting partnership overall.
  • Keep a contingency for potential overruns on site
  • Listen to your chosen professional every time they say “that will cost more money” or “that’s not in budget”
  • Get your project costed early in the design process (as in, don’t wait until you have all your approvals to get a quote on its cost to build) so you can amend on the way

Undercover Architect 1

 3. They won’t listen/will only design what they want

There are some incredibly egotistical and arrogant architects out there, who won’t listen to you. There’s builders, and building designers and draftspeople who are like this too.

And there are architects, and other professionals who are awesome at interpreting a client’s brief and designing an outcome for them that is not what they asked for, but totally exceeds their expectations for their home.

What’s key is that you find the right professional for you and that you then:

  • create a brief that shows what you’re seeking to achieve, and is clear about needs, wants, budget and timing
  • trust that your professional can use their expertise to expand your vision
  • have honest conversations about when you feel you’re being railroaded or not listened to

4. I or my uncle/friend/brother/builder has an interest in design

Australia is very unusual globally in that you don’t need an architect to design or draw up your home. In most places in Australia, you can design it, and get it drawn up however you choose. No one will stop you.

However, if you were investing $50,000 (or more) in the stock market, would you rely solely on the experience of a non-qualified, untrained friend or family member? I think if they had demonstrated and repeated performance in investment, then perhaps you might.

Could the same be said if you were investing $200,000? Or $500,000?

Think about what you’re about to spend on your reno or build as an investment in the home you’re about to create – and the quality of life it will help you lead. What type of advice (and from whom) will help you be confident you’re making the best decisions for that investment?

Undercover Architect 2

5. An architect will just want to use me, and my project, to win awards

The challenge we have is that architects continue to be judged purely on the homes they produce. If you’re looking for an architect – or any other designer for that fact – you’ll look through photos of the homes they’ve helped create.

Winning awards is something many architects, and other professionals, seek to do because it helps them build their profile, and their reputation … which in turn helps them get clients. It gets their work ‘out there’.

Let’s look at the stats though …

There are over 11,000 registered architects in Australia (and to legally call yourself an architect, you have to be registered with the Board of Architects).

The main industry awards for architecture are run by the Australian Institute of Architects. Only a small handful of homes receive awards each year, with each state probably only entering 40 or 50 homes at most.

Architect designed homes count for 3% of the 150,000 + homes built every year. That’s 4,500 new homes. We’re not talking renovations here either.

So there’s a lot of architects, and a lot of homes, that are not winning awards … and still creating great homes. And some that will be creating so-so homes too.

If you choose an architect, or professional, because of their awards, and don’t check with their previous clients to see how the experience was for them, you may not be doing your homework thoroughly.

Test and check any professional you’re thinking of working with to make sure they’re a good fit for you and your project – and that they’re on the same page as you for what you’re seeking to achieve.

6. I don’t want anything complicated

Think of some of the best designed objects you know. The iPod, the post-it note, the safety-pin. Each would have started with a fairly uncomplicated requirement or desire. Portable music that fits in your pocket. A bookmark or note that doesn’t stick permanently to things. A pin that doesn’t pin you.

But the design of them, the work that’s gone into creating them to be as great as they are – that’s great design. They’re simple. Useful. Functional. Fit-for-purpose. Beautiful. Make your life better. Easier. More convenient.

Even though what you want may not be complicated, I’d venture to say you want it to make your life better. To make the most of your budget and maximise every opportunity to improve your home and your life.

Getting the design right makes this happen. So, regardless of how uncomplicated you think your needs may be, getting a design expert to help you get it right will mean that what you create doesn’t complicate your life overall.

So who will you choose?

There are lots of different professionals that can help you with your project – be it a new home, a significant renovation, a smaller project, or some internal rejigging and fitout.

Sometime an architect is not the best choice for your project. I have often said to clients, “You don’t need me, use a (insert other professional here). They’re a better choice for your needs.” Being informed about what each professional can offer is the best way to make an educated decision for your home.

If it seems unaffordable to get your preferred designer for your project the whole way through – see if you can pay for an hour or two of their time to get their expertise injected into your project. This will improve it overall, especially if done at the start.

Finally find a professional you can trust, has the right type of expertise for your project, and who has demonstrated experience in getting great results. Weigh up your investment with the level of advice you know will help you be confident and clear you’re getting it right.

–Amelia Lee is the architect behind Undercover Architect, an online resource to guide you in creating the perfect home for you. Undercover Architect provides the information, tools, products and services to demystify your journey and guide your way.

 

Categories
Architecture Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT

How to design a family home that really works… now and always

How your home is designed can radically impact how it feels, and how you feel in it. Families grow and change, and a home that is designed well can accommodate years of love and growth, whilst loving you back.

UndercoverArchitect-familyhome-1140x642

So how do you design a family home that really works — now and always? Here’s seven tips to help you.

Tip 1: Become a sun worshipper

Taking note of how the sun moves across your site and home is the single biggest thing you can do to create a home that works and feels great. Why?

Research shows that our health and wellbeing improves with access to natural daylight on a regular basis. Not only that, using what is available for free (natural sunlight and breezes) to heat and cool our space means lower energy bills long-term. Often we forget about the ongoing costs in running our home when spending on a new build or renovation.

Tip 2: Be a master of your own domain

Credit: Houzz
Credit: Houzz

Part of the beauty of our homes is that we control them. They’re our own private domain.

So use your design to maintain privacy. Think about:

  • How does someone arrive at the front door of your home?
  • How much of your home is visible when you open your front door?
  • Can your neighbours look into your home?

Managing these views in and out of your home with the way it’s designed will enhance that feeling of security and safety within it.

Tip 3: Keep connected

Credit: Houzz
Credit: Houzz

With young and growing families, our busy lives often mean being able to get daily tasks done whilst kids can be supervised or entertained. As kids get older, creating the opportunity for casual connection can help with regular communication. Some of the ways to do this are:

  • Great views of the inside and outside from your kitchen.
  • Create a study nook near the kitchen to supervise computer use casually.
  • Design casual areas where people can congregate easily whilst everyday activities keep happening. A big island bench is a great example.
  • Don’t forget (in a bid to get audio privacy between zones of the home), that being able to hear as well as see can be handy.

Tip 4: Useful is beautiful

You may not have all the space in the world, but you can make the space you have do lots of jobs so it’s always functional:

  • Simply shaped rooms will mean they’re easy to furnish.
  • Draw furniture on your design plans to be sure it fits, and locate doors and windows to accommodate.
  • Use the edges and corners of your rooms to create more intimate spaces within larger ones.
  • Design your movement through and between rooms so furniture doesn’t get in your way.

Tip 5: Get it right with space and flow

It is easy to get seduced with gorgeous images of magazine-worthy homes. However, what really impacts how you live in your home, is the space and flow of your home.

Bigger is not better when it comes to your home. Design makes the difference. Quality over quantity will change your everyday life every time.

Tip 6: Instantly declutter

Credit: Houzz
Credit: Houzz

Here are a few design tricks you can use:

  • Include a butler’s pantry in your kitchen design to hide away those messy activities and appliances.
  • If you don’t have room for a butler’s pantry, consider putting some bench space inside a cupboard. Doors can open to reveal it when required, and be shut when a quick tidy up is needed.
  • This works for other storage too. Review the regular activities of your lifestyle – particularly leaving and arriving at home. Create storage solutions that help hide this from view. Put power points inside cupboards for charging all those devices out of view.

Tip 7: Sweet dreams for everyone

Remember your kids are little for less time than they’re big! They may need to sleep near your room only for a short time and then you’ll want some separation between their bedroom and yours.

A good size for kids bedrooms is 3.2×3.2m (plus their wardrobe) to fit a single bed and desk whilst they’re younger, and a double bed when they’re older (some parents like this option).

And remember … Your forever home may not be forever

A newly built or renovated home is an amazing opportunity to shape it exactly how you want it to be. However, you can also create a home that has general appeal whilst making it uniquely yours. Designing a functional, durable family home that will be loved by many families will help you sell well and quickly, if and when the time comes.

Tastes and trends change over time – even yours – so go for neutrals in the items that are more fixed and permanent, or are very expensive to change. Add your personal touches in your finishes and soft furnishings.

So much of the success in designing a home comes with the order you make your choices in. Prioritise your choices with this framework, and you’ll be creating a home that not only helps you survive, but helps you (and your family) thrive. And isn’t that what we really want from our homes?

— Amelia Lee is an architect, a serial renovator and the founder of Undercover Architect, a business helping homeowners create a home that makes their life better; whatever their dreams, location or budget.

Categories
Architecture DIY RENO ADDICT

Home design services at your fingertips

For most of us, the thought of designing or renovating a new home can be extremely daunting. But relax. The good news is there are lots more good stories than bad and it doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience.

2014057892_1_JulianRuttLumenStudio_BillabongHouses_JulianRutt_low
Billabong Houses by Julian Rutt Lumen Studio

Archicentre, the building design, inspection and advice service of The Australian Institute of Architects is a great place to start and offers useful advice and design packages for anyone building, renovating or restoring their home.

Whether you’re planning to renovate, build your dream home, buy an investment property, or undertake a dual occupancy development or townhouse, Archicentre’s fixed price, introductory Design Services are a great online tool.

2014057892_3_JulianRuttLumenStudio_BillabongHouses_JulianRutt_low
Billabong Houses by Julian Rutt Lumen Studio

No matter how big or small the project, the site will help you balance what’s possible against what’s desired, establish the project budget, offer advice to secure development approvals, help with your selection of builders, look at any issues with quality control and construction, assist with the design and more.

McSteen Tan Architects Photography Yvonne Qumi
McSteen Tan Architects. Photo credit: Yvonne Qumi

Archicentre literally offers a direct line to a qualified architect, so you know you are getting independent and professional advice before you sign on the dotted line. In many cases you can also arrange to meet the architect onsite who can offer on the spot design potential and advise with quick turn around solutions.

This amazingly cost-effective service can help you to better understand your options, add value to your existing or new home and help you avoid over capitalising your project. A qualified architect will consider your lifestyle, budgetary concerns, sustainable design options, whether to renovate up, out or both and development alternatives including setting realistic project time lines.

2014057892_2_JulianRuttLumenStudio_BillabongHouses_JulianRutt_low
Billabong Houses by Julian Rutt Lumen Studio

As part of this package you will also receive a report that summarises the discussion and includes floor plans, sketches and cost indications so that you can assess the feasibility of your ideas before committing time, energy and money.

For more information.

Archicentre offers free Melbourne renovation workshop

Melburnians listen up! Archicentre are offering an informative and casual renovation workshop where you can gain valuable knowledge about the renovation process including financial advice. The workshop includes one-on-one time with experienced architects, so bring your renovation plans or photos of your house and receive free advice on your renovation project.

When: Thursday 8 October 6-to-8pm

Where: Archicentre, Level 2, 41 Exhibition St, Melbourne

Bookings: www.archicentre.com.au. For more information phone 1300 134 513

Categories
Designers Expert Tips Furniture Homewares

10 interior designers’ favourite Sydney homewares stores

Last week we spoke to 10 of Melbourne’s top interior designers and had them recommend their favourite Melbourne homewares stores. Today it’s Sydney’s turn! 

Ioanna Lennox of Ioanna Lennox Interiors: West Elm is my go-to place if I need something to add to an already defined style or existing room or, equally, if I need to pick out some feature items as a starting point for a space. West Elm has everything from contemporary and modern American furniture, rugs, pre-made curtains and soft furnishings to beautiful accents and kitchenware that would enhance any space. The West Elm style is warm, textured and relaxed and fits so well into our contemporary Australian design aesthetic.

Ioanna
Ioanna

Jeremy Bull of Alexander &CO: The creation of cultural brain trust Nicholas Barber (also one of the more lovely human beings you are likely to meet) Dunlin is a beautiful curation of nostalgia and craft. We haven’t found a project yet where there isn’t a great place for a handmade wicker basket, suspended glass terrarium or mast light fitting, and there is never a reason not to have him visit our studio.

Jeremy
Jeremy

Meryl Hare of Hare + Klein: My favourite homewares store is Spence & Lyda. They vary their merchandise and often have one-offs, so they keep us interested! They also have a range of Ruth Levine’s beautiful vessels and totems, a personal favourite.

Spence
Spence & Lyda

Christopher Polly of Christopher Polly Architect: Top3 By Design is a favourite, as I’ve found myself consistently revisiting their store due to their broad range of products. They offer good design, ranging from simple to eclectic pieces and they regularly refresh with new products. They have a great mix of lighting, homewares and accessories for utilitarian or decorative purposes.

Christopher
Christopher

Virginia Kerridge of Virginia Kerridge Architect: My favourite homewares store is Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, and it’s also my local as they are on Regent St, Redfern. It’s a small store but they have lots of quality things, and the fact that it is small means you aren’t overwhelmed by choice as is so often the case! They have a great mixture of products from ceramics and textiles to lighting and gifts. Also you have the added bonus of having a laugh with them every time you visit!

Chee Soon & Fitzgerald
Chee Soon & Fitzgerald

Brendan Wong of Brendan Wong Design: Now in their 30th year, Dinosaur Designs are known for their signature resin pieces. The forms are so fascinating and when placed near a window they illuminate beautifully. They are now working with other diverse materials including brass, silver and agate. They have taken their pieces around the world but their original Paddington store is still at the heart. You’ll find bright resin vases or subdued ceramic bowls, something for every interior.

Brendan
Brendan

Brad Swartz of Brad Swartz Architect: One of my favourite homewares stores is Catapult Design in Darlinghurst. They have a beautiful collection of furniture from both established and up and coming Australian designers. The finely crafted and minimalistic design of many of their pieces means their furniture can either be a signature piece or sit back and let the architecture, view or artwork take centre stage.

10596137_10152533662471645_749230783_n
Catapult Designs

Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent&Pyke: Small Spaces in Redfern is such a rare gem, unlike any other retail experience in Sydney. It is such a beautiful space, part art gallery and part homewares store, with a selection of furniture pieces to suit small homes. A visit to Small Spaces is always inspiring. In this era of mass production, everything in the store feels like a rare treasure, with a strong sense of its maker. As much as the store changes, it maintains its peaceful, light filled calm. You feel like you could move in and spend the rest of your days drinking tea.

Sarah (left) and co-director Juliette Arent
Sarah (left) and co-director Juliette Arent

Anoushka Allum of SmartSpace Interiors: I’m always shopping at Papaya in Mosman. I find that the tranquil style and paired back colours that they stock work with almost any interior. I’m a big fan of their pendant lighting, vessels, vases and candle holders. The designs are beautiful and use lots of natural materials. If you’re looking to dress your dining table this is also where I would recommend you go. Placemats, cutlery and crockery all in beautiful natural colours and designs make for a stunning table when entertaining.

Papaya
Papaya

Chloe Matters of TomMarkHenry: MCM House is my favourite as it typifies some of my most admired elements: neutral and relaxed tones and textures that work in simple harmony. They also mix these simple pieces with wares that have a slight modern, oriental twist. This understated look is powerful and represents a tranquility that I appreciate in design.

Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden
Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden
We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!
Categories
Architecture Outdoor & Exteriors RENO ADDICT

How to keep your balcony or deck safe

Most people give their cars and themselves regular check-ups, but tend to leave maintenance of their property until a problem becomes so obvious that is simply has to be attended to. This approach is not only bad for the property but also more expensive on the pocket! So what does Cameron Frazer of Ask an Architect recommend you do to keep the more susceptible areas of your home — like balconies and decks — safe?

dazzling-contemporary-loft-finds-the-perfect-balance-between-cool-and-elegant-apartment-balcony-design
Photo credit: TVBS

We all enjoy the summertime, but it’s actually the time to be smart about home safety. Anyone planning to hold a function that will see a crowd of people occupying their balcony or deck should check that it is safe and not at risk of injuring someone or collapse.

Balconies are usually used by a small family group of three to four people, however, when 15 to 20 adults or more gather on a balcony, the stress on the structure often reaches breaking point and the balcony collapses causing serious injury.

Added to this weight factor is often the large BBQ plus tables, chairs and heavy planter boxes filled with flowering plants to brighten the alfresco dining area. Large stone tables have also become a trend for outdoor living along with steel and cast iron outdoor furniture, which increases the load factor on the deck or balcony.

balcony reno addict
Photo credit: TVBS

Anyone with a balcony or raised deck should check it out carefully for safety, including an inspection for rotting timbers, shaky hand rails and balustrades, corroded bolts and brackets, rust stains and cracking in concrete balconies. People renting properties should also check decks or balconies and notify their real estate agents if any concerning conditions are discovered.

If people find faults they should take immediate action to repair them and if they are not sure, seek professional advice. I would recommend people get an architect to inspect their property every five years and provide maintenance advice to keep it in tip-top condition.

— Cameron Frazer is the general manager of Ask an Architect, a new online portal (launched by the Australian Institute of Architects) ready to offer you sound and unbiased advice, help you through your home renovation and provide recommendations at an affordable cost.

Categories
Architecture RENO ADDICT

Ask an Architect: the great online resource for renovators

Home renovations can be hugely daunting. However, you only need to watch an episode of The Block, read one of our amazing real renos or talk to a friend, to realise that there’s really more good renovation stories than bad!

aaa-web-home-hirez

But where do you start if you’ve decided to renovate your home? One of the best places is Ask An Architect, a website developed by the Australian Institute of Architects. Designed to demystify the renovation process and make architecture something everybody can easily access, they offer sound and affordable advice.

aaa-web-gallery-hirez

An unbiased voice of reason, an expert architect can work with you to take the mystery out of what might seem an incredibly complex process. No matter how big or small the renovation, the site will help you balance what’s possible against what’s desired, establish the project budget, offer advice to secure development approvals, help with your selection of builders, look at any issues with quality control and construction, assist with the design and more.

aaa-web-budget-hirez

Some of the most useful features include the detailed Cost Guide to help you budget, the ArchiAdvice and ArchiDesign Pre-Purchase Packages – which offer you a direct line to a qualified architect at competitive prices, a handy online question and answer service, relevant upcoming events, the Find an Architect directory of professional architects, a gallery for inspiration and Pinterest tools to help you start scrapbooking ideas.

Visit Ask an Architect.

Categories
Designers

Madeleine Blanchfield on doing what you love for yourself

When Madeleine Blanchfield won a competition to design a large home in 2009, she decided to leave the comfort of her job at BKH and go out on her own. With luck and skill on her side, what may have been a big jump into the deep end proved a great success, with Madeleine taking out the Australian Institute of Architects Award for The Gordons Bay House.

ALrxGrPQMwRp7i16-hYQRc99UZf1hHWAzdBXBQCLv9E

“The Gordons Bay House was a perfect storm of builder, client and site. It was well received by everyone and the calmness of the process seemed to show through in the end result. Winning for that house and getting the acknowledgment of industry peers was very special, particularly when other projects in the competition were by more established architects.”

7nG1qWWZ67ovQf4iNO9d8DnSIUWQEcdAz84Q-Vn7D4A
The Gordons Bay House

Five years on, Madeleine Blanchfield Architects now has three full-time staff and a handful of contractors. She prefers to take on less work and instead be very involved in each project. “I like to do all aspects of a project myself, particularly when it is a house. The cohesion of landscape, furniture and space is critical and we have the client to spice up the result each time.”

Ci280dXbhfSSBK0OMdhXm3X6GyQhlRlwPmoBdPzHZPw
The Gordons Bay House – Winner of the House & Garden Room of the Year 2013

Working primarily in residential, with some small commercial fit-out projects in between, Madeleine’s aesthetic is timeless, elegant and pared-back. Rather than her projects making a purely architectural statement, her main focus is working with each individual site and trying to make the best use of the space, its light, outlook and other characteristics.

This design style is very clear throughout her work, especially in her initial project, The Gordons Bay House, with the bathroom winning the House & Garden Room of the Year 2013. “Winning Room of the Year was amazing. The ladies at the magazine saw the room in a builder’s brochure and put it in, so winning was very unexpected!”

_lS_qFStj6eFd2CwzgquSOfggzY02joL6KbVHAdjcmc
The Bronte House
o4vkD3-gYQhsfokS10Whnr5RO8gdD21SUJrTef22YFA
The Bronte House

With several new houses, a couple of renovations, a small office building and some interiors projects on the cards, Madeleine and the team are very busy. But she’s certainly not complaining! “Being a designer is not without its challenges but we should be thankful that we love what we do and we have lots of it. That is the real luxury.”