Sydney Building Designer
Designed For The Way Your Live
Why Choose
Distinct Innovations
Personally led by Luke Van Jour, Distinct Innovations provides independent residential building design, architectural drafting and guidance through design and approvals.
Working with Distinct Innovations gives you:
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More than 30 years of residential building design experience including complex and difficult sites.
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Luke as your main point of contact through design and approvals
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Sustainable and passive solar design expertise backed by a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Design
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Independent advice with no ties to a particular builder
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Fixed fees based on the agreed scope, not a percentage of your build cost
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Design decisions informed by buildability and construction experience
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Freedom to obtain and compare construction quotes from multiple builders
Luke is a BDAA Accredited Building Designer who has designed and built his own family homes, giving him practical insight from concept through to construction.
Luke maintains relationships with reputable builders and stays informed about current building practices and industry changes, keeping his advice practical and informed.
Distinct Innovations specialises in residential projects across Greater Sydney, from initial site assessment and concept design through to council or certifier approval support.
- Site review and assessment of planning controls
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Concept design and design development
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Preparation and lodgement of council and certifier applications
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Coordination of consultants, reports and supporting documents
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Detailed drawings for approval and construction
Project Experience
Our Areas of Expertise
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From acreage residences to contemporary family homes, our custom homes are designed around your site, lifestyle and budget. We consider orientation, natural light, privacy, planning controls and buildability early, then develop the plans needed to move your project towards approval and construction.
Sustainable design principles are considered from the start, including orientation, passive solar design, natural ventilation, thermal performance and glazing. The aim is to create homes that are comfortable, practical and energy efficient while meeting BASIX and NatHERS requirements.
Heritage homes need careful planning to balance contemporary living with the character of the original building. We design extensions and renovations that respond to heritage controls, streetscape and existing proportions, while coordinating the specialist advice required for the approval process.
Whether you need more space, better natural light or a complete rethink of an existing home, we design extensions that improve how the house works and feels. Projects range from rear and ground-floor additions to substantial first-floor extensions and renovations.
Building on bushfire-prone land requires careful consideration of BAL ratings, site planning, construction requirements and access. We design homes for BAL-rated and Flame Zone sites while balancing bushfire requirements with practical planning, comfort and good residential design.
Duplex and dual occupancy projects need careful planning around zoning, lot size, frontage, parking, private open space and neighbouring properties. We develop practical layouts that respond to the site while making the most of its development potential.
A knockdown rebuild gives you the opportunity to create a new home around your site and the way you want to live. We assess slope, access, orientation, setbacks, planning controls and other constraints early so the new design works naturally with the block.
We prepare architectural drafting and approval plans for DA, CDC and Construction Certificate applications. Site constraints, planning controls and the likely approval pathway are reviewed early so the drawings are clear, coordinated and ready for council, certifier and consultant requirements.
Every project begins with an understanding of your site, brief, budget and approval requirements. From concept design through to detailed plans and approvals, the project is developed in clear stages so decisions, consultant requirements and documentation are coordinated as the design progresses.
Real Project Feedback From Sydney Homeowners
Trusted by Sydney homeowners for complex DA approval applications, custom home design and heritage extensions.
View Reviews on Google & Houzz
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Brad, Creewood III House
Heritage Extension Concord
Sean & Tabitha, Creewood I House
Heritage Extension Concord
With over 30 years’ experience and hundreds of residential projects across NSW, Distinct Innovations brings broad design, planning and approval experience to each site.
Based in Castle Hill, we work across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Lake Macquarie, Newcastle, the Illawarra and selected regional NSW locations.
See what could be possible for your property.
Whether you’re planning a custom new home, extension, renovation or residential development, we can assess your site, planning requirements and brief, then guide the project through design, approvals and documentation.