Q: What are your fees like?

A: This is one of the first questions we are often asked. We prepare a fixed fee proposal for each new client which is based on the scale & complexity of their project and the scope of work for us. Our fees are not percentage based, so not related to your budget. We believe in honest communication with our clients and provide a clear breakdown of all deliverables, inclusions and exclusions so you know exactly what you are getting and there are no surprises.

Q: What budget do I need?

A: There are so many factors which can influence costs that this really is the proverbial “piece of string” question. Our fees are not related to the project cost, so we can advise with no conflict of interest and work with you ensure you get the best possible outcome. We will advise on suitable construction methods, finishes and materials for your site and your locality to ensure you get the most from your budget. We focus on quality of space over quantity.

Unfortunately, we cannot reduce the cost of construction for our clients (as much as we would like to). A bespoke architectural home will cost more than a generic "off the plan" project home. We design according to your available budget, so it is important to be realistic about this from the start to ensure success.

Q: Will an energy efficient home cost more?

A: The good news is that the basic principles of energy efficient design; good planning, appropriately sized spaces & correct orientation; do not cost anything extra!

One of the biggest influences on the overall cost will be the overall size of your home. A larger home will of course, cost more than a smaller one built to the same standard. More complex structural forms & construction methods will also be more costly than a simple, traditional built form. Specialist glazing systems, increased insulations levels, photovoltaic systems and mechanical heat recovery systems are additional ways to improve performance at an additional cost. We can advise on the best way to invest your money for maximum return.

It’s important to remember that a well-designed, passive solar and energy efficient home will provide savings on heating, cooling and lighting for the lifetime of the building and will generally have a far higher resale value.

Q: Do you work with just one builder or one construction method?

A: We are not restricted to any one construction method or any one builder. We offer fully independent advice to all our clients, acting as your agent throughout the design, documentation, pricing and contract negotiation stages to select the right materials, construction method & builder for your project and obtain competitive prices.

Q: Are you limited to one style?

A: Every project is different, and we design accordingly. We respond to many factors, starting with the individual requirements of each client and the unique characteristics of their site whether rural or urban. We prepare a contextual response influenced by many different factors drawing inspiration from the beauty of West Australian Landscape. Our design philosophy is to create buildings that are timeless, beautiful and of their place. We avoid responses to current fashion trends & instead focus on achieving quality of natural light, natural ventilation, maximising available space & bringing the outdoors in.

Refer to Our Process for further info

Q: What is a Passive Solar House?

A: Put simply a Passive Solar House is designed in such a way that it uses the sun's energy to heat the home naturally (for free!) in winter while preventing unwanted solar gain in summer.

The first and most important consideration is orientation. Careful consideration must also be given to the placement of windows and external shading elements such as eaves, solar pergolas and deciduous planting. The house should be orientated to take advantage of the sun’s path throughout the year with primary rooms having a northerly aspect, reduced openings to the south side of the house and few or no openings facing west. The sun’s angle of incidence is higher in summer than in winter so eaves can be designed to shade external walls in summer and allow solar access in winter.

Internal concrete or masonry elements can provide thermal mass, storing heat gained during the day in winter and releasing it back into the home slowly at night. In summer, the reverse applies with elements of high thermal mass used to keep internal temperatures consistent and reduce the need for mechanical cooling (air conditioning).

We model all our projects using 3D software that allows us to examine winter passive solar gain & summer shade performance throughout the year using the precise co-ordinates of your site.

Q: What makes a Home Energy Efficient?

A: Energy Efficient Homes reduce unnecessary energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions and demands for non-renewable resources. They provide healthier, more comfortable living conditions and are significant less expensive to run than conventional homes.

With Western Australia’s harsh climate becoming more extreme every year, we need to design smarter, more energy efficient housing; housing which is location sensitive and addresses the unique characteristics of each site; housing which is not heavily reliant on artificial heating, cooling and lighting to maintain comfort levels and which offers a sustainable future for us all.

Passive Cooling needs to be considered in addition to Passive Heating. Opposing windows and breezeways provide natural cross ventilation. When combined with high ceilings, high level louvered windows or ceiling and roof vents, they can form a natural “passive chimney” effect allowing hot air to escape through the roof space.

Once these basics design elements have been incorporated into your home, additional features may then be added to make it work more efficiently and further reduce your environmental footprint. For example, high levels of insulation, low-e and/or double glazing glass, LED lighting, solar photovoltaic panels, solar hot water systems or heat pumps, rainwater tanks, grey water recycling systems and of course, energy efficient appliances and water wise plumbing fixtures.

Q: What are the key principles of Sustainable Design?

A: The term "sustainable design" is commonly used these days, but it is often misappropriated or misunderstood. There are three key pillars of sustainable design and true sustainable design takes all three factors into consideration.

1. Ecological - does the project reduce negative impact on the environment?
2. Economic - how much did the project cost and is this proportionate to benefit and performance?
3. Social - does it include a large portion of society?

The amount of energy, water and money required to construct a building (including the manufacture and transport all materials and labour), to run a building (heating, cooling etc.) and to dispose of a building at the end of its lifetime, all influence its sustainability. Waste generated during construction and at the end of the building life is also important (can materials be recycled or reused?) Sustainable design should be flexible to allow for future users and should support a sustainable lifestyle. Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, passive solar design and renewable energy sources contribute to making a building truly sustainable.