Distinct Innovations creates bespoke residential building design and architectural drafting that balances creativity with sustainable, practical design. Principal Designer Luke Van Jour leads every project, drawing on 30+ years of experience and over 25 industry awards to ensure precision and care.
Providing seamless transition from concept to council approval
across the Hills District and Greater Sydney
-
Custom Home Design
-
Luxury Custom Homes Design
-
Knowdown Rebuild Plans
-
Heritage Extensions
-
Custom Home Extensions Renovations​
-
Bushfire (BAL) Heritage Approvals
-
Complex Site Expertise
-
Sustainability Qualifications
-
​Pre-design feasibility
-
In-depth Consultations
-
Concept Design
-
DA (Development Applications
-
CDC (Complying Development)
-
CC (Construction Certificates
-
Basix Compliance
-
Council and BCA Regulations
Full Service Advantage
-
Sustainable Design Expert
-
Interior Detailing
-
Lodgements at NSW Planning Portal
-
Consolidation of Consultants
-
On-site Construction Support​
-
3D Modelling
-
Tailored Fee Proposals
On Site or at our Castle Hill Studio
Our Approach
At Distinct Innovations, we use 30 years of design experience to turn your ideas into practical, buildable plans that stay within your budget.
In Depth Design Consultations
​​​We start with an in-depth 3–4 hour consultation to understand your lifestyle, design preferences, and long-term goals for the home.
Collaborative Approach to Design
Bring reference images or inspiration folders to help us define a clear, tailored direction for your design.
Site Specific Planning
We assess your site’s zoning, council controls, and natural features to ensure a sustainable, energy-efficient design that works with your land.
Concept Design
Initial sketches explore ideas and confirm the project's direction before we begin detailed drawings.
Design Review
You review and refine the design at each stage to ensure it meets your expectations.
Council Approvals
I guide you through the DA or CDC approval process, making complex requirements straightforward.
Construction Support
I can provide construction support to ensure the design is delivered as intended through to completion.
Award-Winning Principal Designer
Our Designer
Luke Van Jour
Award-Winning Custom Home Designer & Drafting Specialist
Distinct Innovations is a boutique building design and architectural drafting practice led by myself and my wife of 30 years, Albina. We choose to remain a private, specialized studio so that every client receives my direct oversight and three decades of industry expertise.
​
Holding a Master’s in Sustainable Design, I focus on high-performance homes and heritage restorations that don't just look good, they work perfectly for the families who live in them.
From the first sketch to final approval, I am personally invested in the success of your project.
Building designer Luke Van Jour receiving a Design Excellence Award from Jamie Durie at the Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) 2025 Gala.
What Our Client's Say
"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".
Qualifications & Accreditation
Chartered & Accredited Building Designer (Accred. no. 6164)
Master of Design Science (Sustainable Design), University of Sydney, 2008
Certificate of Architectural Drafting, 1988
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​​
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.
​
A number of my designs have broken real estate sales records, highlighting the significant financial value a well-considered design brings to your property.
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
