Recognised for excellence as a leading building design firm in Sydney, Distinct Innovations creates custom homes that balance creativity with practical, sustainable design. Led by principal designer Luke Van Jour, who brings over 30 years of experience and an award-winning portfolio, every project is approached with a high level of care and attention to detail.
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Distinct Innovations specialises in bespoke residential design, whether you’re planning a new home, a heritage renovation, or a complex dual-occupancy development.
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Based in Castle Hill, we’ve designed hundreds of homes across Greater Sydney, from the Northern Beaches and Inner West through to the Blue Mountains and Illawarra.
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Luke will personally guide you through the complexities of council regulations, Development Applications (DA), Complying Development Certificates (CDC), and bushfire zoning (BAL), ensuring your design is not only inspired but fully compliant and ready for construction.
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We offer a complimentary initial consultation, either on-site or at our Castle Hill studio. From essential construction drawings through to detailed interior design and finishes, our services are tailored to suit your vision, level of detail, and budget.​
​Recognised by leading industry bodies across Australia
Building Design & Architectural Drafting
Custom Home Design: Classic, contemporary, luxury, period and coastal homes, new builds and knockdown rebuilds
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Renovations & Extensions: Modern additions with extensive experience in heritage home extensions
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Multi-Residential Design: Units, apartments, villas, townhouses and terrace homes
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Dual Occupancy & Duplex Design: Modern duplexes, granny flats and secondary dwellings
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Bushfire Design (BAL): Strategic design for homes in high-risk bushfire zones
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Heritage Extension Expertise: Experience in securing approvals for complex heritage properties across Sydney
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Expertise & Services
Planning & Approvals
Pre-Design & Feasibility Site Investigation: Detailed design consultations and site analysis
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Concept Design: Developing the initial layout and overall design vision
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Council-Ready DA Plans: Expertly prepared Development Applications for local government approval
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CDC (Complying Development): Fast-tracked approval documentation via Private Certifiers
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Construction Certificates (CC Plans): Detailed drawings required for the construction
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BASIX Certification: Ensuring energy and water efficiency compliance for NSW standards
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Full Service Advantage
Sustainable Design: Energy-efficient homes informed by formal training and practical experience
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Interior Detailing: From cabinetry design through to complete finishes schedules
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Site Involvement: Optional support during construction to maintain design integrity
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Approvals & Consultant Coordination: Managing council lodgements and coordinating specialist consultants
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3D Modelling: Help to visualise colours and shapes of the project from all angels
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Tailored Fee Proposals: Personalised and based on project scope, complexity and level of detail requested
Our Approach
At Distinct Innovations, your ideas are at the centre of everything we do. I use over 30 years of design experience to guide each decision, taking a hands-on approach to ensure your plans genuinely reflect your vision while remaining practical, buildable, and aligned with your budget.​​
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Personal Consultation
We start with an in-depth 3–4 hour consultation to understand your lifestyle, design preferences, and long-term goals for the home.
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Collaborative Approach
You’re encouraged to bring reference images, inspiration folders, or even a simple scrapbook. This helps translate your ideas into a clear, tailored design direction.
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Site-Specific Planning
Every site is carefully assessed for council controls, zoning, orientation, and natural features to create a sustainable, energy-efficient outcome that works with your land, not against it.​
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​Concept Design
Initial sketches are prepared to explore ideas and confirm the overall direction before moving into detailed drawings.
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Design Review
You’ll be involved at each stage, reviewing and refining the design to ensure it aligns with your expectations.
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Council & Approvals
I guide you through the entire approval process, including DA or CDC pathways, making what can be a complex process feel straightforward.
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Construction Support
Ongoing support can be provided during construction to help ensure the design is delivered as intended, right through to completion.
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Ready to get started on your project?
Meet Luke
Award-Winning Principal Designer
I am an award-winning building designer and architectural draftsman with a Master of Sustainable Design from the University of Sydney with over 30 years of industry experience.
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Since 1997, I have designed hundreds of homes, focusing on innovative, sustainable designs that exceed expectations, whether for luxury homes and new custom builds, heritage renovations, or complex dual-occupancy developments.
My extensive experience in designing luxury new homes, extensions and alterations and heritage renovations, combined with a considered approach to working with Councils, results in consistently high approval rates across Sydney, while delivering designs that respect historical significance and incorporate modern, energy-efficient principles.
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My wife, Albina, brings essential support, overseeing administration, marketing, schedules of finishes and 3D modelling.​
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Every project is personally designed, drafted and completed by Luke from start to finish.
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Building designer Luke Van Jour receiving a Design Excellence Award from Jamie Durie at the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) 2025 Gala.
Real Testimonials from Homeowners across Sydney
with the Stunning Results to Match.
"I have been fortunate to have worked on several projects with Luke from Distinct Innovations and I must say that of all the Building Designers & Architects I have worked with over the years Luke would be my favourite for his amazing skill & talent in design, his design style and most of all his honest, easy going personality. In my experience I have found that Luke's clients are more than happy with the process and end result and speak very highly of Luke as their chosen Building Designer for their home. For me when I recommend a design professional or contractor to a client (or anyone for that matter) they need to tick 3 boxes, 1. They are very good at what they do 2. Their fees / prices are reasonable 3. They are a nice person and easy to work with. Luke ticks all these boxes for me and I look forward to working on many more amazing Distinct Innovations projects with Luke in the future".
Memberships & Appointments
​Chartered & Accredited Member Building Designers Association of NSW (BDA)
BDANSW Appointed Chair of the National Sub-Committee 2012-2015
BDANSW President Sydney Regional Branch 2006-2010
BDANSW State Secretary 2010-2012
Australian Architect ure Association​​
To date, I have been recognised with 25 industry honours from leading Australian organisations, including the Building Designers Association of Australia, Master Builders Association NSW, and local councils across Sydney.
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A number of my designs have broken real estate sales records, highlighting the significant financial value a well-considered design brings to your property.
Qualifications & Accreditation
Chartered & Accredited Building Designer (Accred. no. 6164)
Master of Design Science (Sustainable Design), University of Sydney, 2008
Certificate of Architectural Drafting, 1988
Publications
My designs have featured a number of times in The Daily Telegraph "Home" section, as well as in Best Australian Architecture Magazine , Winning Design Magazine and Kambridge Quarterly
