Building Designer & Architectural Drafting FAQs 

We integrate sustainable design principles into every project as much as possible, going well beyond legal minimum requirements. Where clients give us design freedom, we incorporate full passive design to achieve the most optimal environmental performance. This expertise is backed by our principal designer's Master of Sustainable Design from the University of Sydney. Our long-standing commitment to this approach is demonstrated by projects like Verandah House at Twin Creeks Estate, which achieved a 7-star energy rating back in 2009 over a decade before it became the legal minimum. You can view our work in this area by viewing our sustainably designed projects portfolio.

Yes. We have extensive experience achieving council approvals for heritage projects all over Sydney, particularly in Epping, Leichhardt, Concord, Strathfield, and Burwood. We specialise in preserving the character of Federation and Victorian homes while adding seamless, modern rear extensions. Our heritage work has been recognised with multiple national and state awards:Salt St House (2025) Winner, Best Heritage and Finalist, Alterations & Additions, BDAA National Design AwardsStrathfield House (2017)  Winner, Residential Interiors and Commendation, Alterations & Additions $500k & Over, BDAA National AwardsCreewood House (2013) Winner, Heritage/Adaptive Reuse; Winner, Alterations & Additions up to $250K; Winner, Paul Dass Memorial Award (the highest award achievable at BDA) BDA NSW. Winner, Best New Development Involving Heritage Canada Bay City Council Design Awards. Featured in The Daily Telegraph Home Magazine.Excelsior St House (2012) Winner, Residential Alterations and Additions over $250K, BDA NSW. Featured in Winning Design Magazine.

Yes. Done well, a custom-designed granny flat can add meaningful value to your property and provide flexible accommodation for family members or rental income. The key to a good outcome is design that genuinely integrates with your existing home in materials, scale, and layout rather than feeling like a bolt-on addition.We handle the full design and documentation for custom secondary dwellings, including CDC and DA submissions, designing for compliance with the Housing SEPP and your local council's requirements from the start. If you are considering a granny flat, get in touch and we can assess whether your block is eligible and what is realistically achievable.

Yes. We have extensive experience designing bushfire resilient homes across all risk levels, from standard requirements up to the extreme Flame Zone ratings. We specialise in homes that are safe and aesthetically pleasing, and we understand how to navigate RFS requirements using non-combustible materials.Our expertise is demonstrated by our work on:Mt Riverview House  A National Award-winning home designed to strict BAL-40 standards.Mulgoa House  A custom home specifically designed for Flame Zone, the highest level of bushfire risk.Merealba House (Lake Macquarie) A developer project expertly navigating BAL-29 constraints on a sloping block. Malton Road Dual Development (Beecroft)  A two-home subdivision balancing bushfire compliance with strict heritage restrictions.

Yes. Dual occupancy and duplex design is a significant part of our work and one we find particularly rewarding. These projects require careful planning from the start. We need to understand how the block can be subdivided, what each dwelling needs to achieve individually, and how both homes relate to each other and the streetscape.A recent example is a large block in Beecroft where we managed a full subdivision, designing a single-storey home on one lot and a double-storey home on the adjoining lot. Each was tailored to its orientation, outlook, and planning controls.For that project, we also produced a complete Schedule of Finishes for each of the homes giving the developer a full project portfolio to hand to their builder covering exactly how every finish, fixture, and fitting should be specified and installed. This meant the builder could quote and work from a single, authoritative document. We handle the complete design and documentation for DA or CDC submission across Sydney and Regional NSW.See our duplex and dual occupancy projects.

Yes. We design custom acreage and rural homes, including new homes, renovations and associated outbuildings.Larger properties often involve additional site considerations such as bushfire exposure, biodiversity, slope, access, vegetation, easements and local planning controls. We consider these constraints early, together with orientation, views, natural light and passive solar design, so the home responds properly to both the site and the way you want to live.Explore Our Acreage Home Designs →