Our fees are not based on a percentage of your budget so you can be comfortable discussing this with us. Once we have established that we would be a good fit for your needs, we prepare a lump sum proposal based on the complexity of the project and the scope of work for us. We believe in honest communication with our clients and provide a clear breakdown of all deliverables, inclusions, and exclusions with our fee proposal, so you know exactly what you are getting and there are no surprises. Our fees are aligned with our level of skill and expertise and the value we bring to your project.

Working with a good Architect is an investment that will save you time, money, and stress, while adding considerable value to your home.

To become a registered Architect takes a minimum of 7 years. The profession is highly regulated by a statutory authority, the Architects Board of WA. One must undertake 5 years of university study, followed by at least 2 years post graduate practical experience before sitting the Architectural Practice Exam and obtaining a licence to practice. Generally, an Architect is trained in architectural design, interior design, urbanism, construction documentation, environmental science, building economics, as well as construction and contract law. Architects are bound by a strict code of conduct which holds them to a very high standard of professional and ethical behaviour.

The term “Building Designer” is more general. In Western Australia there is no legislation controlling the use of this term, which means that anyone can refer to themselves as such, regardless of their level of qualification, skill, or experience, with no legal requirement to undertake ongoing professional development or to hold professional indemnity insurance to protect their clients.

Some Building Designers hold a degree in Architecture but have elected not to complete the registration process and therefore cannot refer to themselves as an Architect. Some have completed a 2 year TAFE course in Building Design, and others may hold a Residential Drafting Certificate. These are all very different levels of qualification, so it’s important to do your research when selecting a professional to work with to ensure they have appropriate experience and are suited to the needs of your project.

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) and there have been many cost increases within the industry over the past few years. A bespoke Architect designed home will inevitably cost more than a generic "off the plan" project home as there is considerably more work involved in both the design and construction phases. As such, our services are not suited to low budget projects. We design according to your available budget, so it is important to be realistic about this from the start to ensure success.

The good news is that the basic principles of energy efficient design; correct orientation, good planning, appropriately sized spaces; 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 and 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.

We do not have a preferred construction method and will advise what is most suitable for your home and your site. We are not affiliated with any builder and do not accept kickbacks. 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 builder for your project and to ensure you obtain a competitive price.

Our design philosophy is to create buildings that are timeless, beautiful, and of their place. Every client and 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. We avoid responses to current fashion trends and instead focus on achieving quality of natural light, natural ventilation, maximising available space and bringing the outdoors in.

Refer to Our Process for further info.

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 and summer shade performance throughout the year using the precise co-ordinates of your site.

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.

Sustainable design is increasingly important as we face ongoing climate concerns. The term Sustainable Design is often misused or misunderstood. Energy Efficiency is just one of many important considerations in true sustainable design.

Sustainable buildings aim to be Carbon Neutral. Wherever possible, materials used should have Low Embodied Energy. This is the amount of energy, water, and money used, as well as the amount of waste generated, over the entire lifespan, including manufacture, transport, construction, operation, and disposal. Materials should be sustainably sourced and should be recyclable or biodegradable at the end of the life of the building.

Sustainable homes should allow for Flexible Living for all stages of life, and for future users. They should also support a sustainable lifestyle. Rainwater harvesting, greywater recycling, passive solar design and renewable energy sources, all contribute to making a building truly sustainable.