Every project is different. Every client is different. Every site is unique. And yet our approach to design is consistent. That’s because we apply 6 principles to each and every project. We embrace the difference that each project offers. However we remain steadfast in the application of sound design principles to each project so that the embedded knowledge and experience is evident in each and every project.

Here’s an overview of what we believe in as architects.

PassiveHaus

Where possible we believe Passive House is the best standard to apply to achieve sustainable and energy efficient buildings. The standards that are set by using Passive House require a rigorous appraisal of the building fabric, air tightness, thermal bridging and fresh air ventilation. This adopted principle can achieve a remarkable outcome that sets a far better standard for buildings than the current regulations in Australia.

Passive Solar

Not to be confused with Passive House, this design approach is what I was taught at University and it remains an embedded in how we site, locate and arrange spaces. Passive Solar is about context – and focuses on the environment, orientation, thermal mass, sun shading, cross ventilation and deciduous vegetation of a building in a whole of site analysis. This then leads to ‘living’ buildings- embedded in the natural environment.

Connections

Our projects are connected to place, to context, to history and to those invisible patterns that exist in each place. Why is this important? Our buildings are a part of the environment in which they exist. Though they are individual and unique, they act as connections to the surrounding spaces and affect the community beyond the buildings residents.

Small-space Living

Australia has some of the largest buildings per person anywhere on the planet. This is not something we should continue to uphold. We believe small spaces or the best fit makes so much sense that the argument is self evident. Less maintenance, less cost, more open space and better design outcomes are just a few benefits. We believe a well designed space that is appropriately scaled to fit the needs of our clients is more interesting and sustainable than larger homes devoid of uniqueness.

Adaptive Reuse

The future is re-use and nowhere is this more evident than in buildings. Where possible, and where feasible, we favour the retention of existing buildings over rebuilding and demolition. This is not always the easiest pathway forward. However this approach retains that embedded material and patterns of use that are are valuable to place and environment.

Design for Daylight

Light is simply magical. And while we see so many fascinating innovations with electric lighting it is daylight and space that embodies the true meaning of architecture. Daylight design enriches and connects people to the day night cycle that is so essential to our health and well being.

The power of design is something we cannot ignore. And applied to each project we can enrich people’s lives and their wellbeing. We apply the 6 principles to each project and continue to explore the nuance and opportunity each principle offers. They are the design principles that govern our work as a way to build consistency and meaning in the work we do.