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Frequently Asked Questions
We work with clients who want to build carefully. People who are thinking about longevity, energy use, and how a home will actually perform over time.
Our projects are led directly by Rebecca and Andrew. Rebecca brings a depth of experience in regulatory, governance and approval processes, while Andrew focuses on communication and the day-to-day clarity of the project. Both have a passion for beautiful, comfortable spaces grounded in considered detailing and materiality. Between them, the work is both well-designed and well-run.
You are not handed off to a junior team. The same people shaping the design are also responsible for how it is documented, procured, and built.
There is no single fee model, and we do not apply a blanket percentage.
While architectural fees are often described as a percentage of construction cost, we use that only as a reference point. From there, we tailor our fees to suit each project.
Typically, we set fixed fees for clearly defined stages and use hourly rates (with an estimate) where scope is less certain. This allows the service to respond to the complexity of the project, rather than forcing it into a standard structure.
Our focus is on providing the level of rigour required to deliver a resolved, buildable outcome. Not just drawings, but a home that performs as intended.
Not every project requires one. But investing significantly, have an eye for detail, enjoy the design process, or want a more than basic outcome, the value becomes clear.
We are engaged to resolve complexity. That might be planning constraints, heritage, site limitations, or competing priorities within the brief and budget.
Because of our experience working within regulatory and approval frameworks, these issues are usually identified early and dealt with directly, rather than becoming problems later.
If your aim is a home that is durable, low-energy, and carefully considered, rather than something assembled quickly, an architect is the right starting point.
We work across the full life of the project.
Early on, we help define the brief, test the site, and align the project with a realistic budget. We develop the design and resolve it in detail, coordinating the work of engineers, landscape architects and other consultants.
We manage planning approvals where required, prepare clear and buildable documentation, and administer the contract during construction.
You will always understand where the project sits. We place a strong emphasis on clear communication and decision-making, so nothing drifts or becomes unclear.
A large part of our role is removing uncertainty. Clear thinking and clear documentation reduce risk, both in cost and in how the project is built.
After years of teaching Architectural Practice, Rebecca found that delivering services as a single, continuous package didn’t suit every client. Breaking the work into smaller, clearly defined stages allows for better decision-making, collaboration, clearer cost control, and a more considered outcome.
This is how we structure our projects:
Foundations & Masterplanning – defining the brief, aligning budget, and testing feasibility
Design & Refinement – setting the direction, resolving the design, and testing cost
Planning – securing approvals, where required
Documentation & Interior Design – preparing detailed, coordinated drawings and specifications
Contractor Selection – confirming scope, methodology, and cost with a builder
Construction – contract administration, including rigorous oversight of the works, assessment of claims and variations, and ensuring the project is delivered in accordance with the contract documents
Each stage is discrete. You move forward with clarity at each point, rather than committing to the entire process upfront.
Every project is different, but a typical timeframe might be:
Design: 3–6 months
Planning (if required): 3–9 months
Documentation, Interior Design and Procurement: 3–4 months
Construction: 6–12+ months
Projects tend to run more smoothly where there is a clear brief and steady decision-making. We guide this process so that time is spent resolving the right things early.
Look for alignment in how you think, not just what you see.
You want an architect who can guide decisions, manage complexity, and carry a project through to completion with consistency. Design matters, but so does technical and contractual competence.
Our approach is both rigorous and straightforward to navigate. The process is structured, decisions are clear, and nothing is left ambiguous.
This is a long process. It should feel steady, considered, and well-managed from the outset.
You do not need everything worked out.
A realistic budget range is the most important starting point, along with a sense of what matters most to you. Any information you already have on the site is useful, but not essential.
From there, we can help you test what is feasible and where to focus effort.
Yes. This is central to how we work.
We establish an early cost range and test it as the design develops. We use tools such as ProCalc early on, and bring in a quantity surveyor or builder input once there is enough detail.
Where appropriate, we involve a builder early to price key elements and help set priorities before everything is fully documented.
Cost is not just estimated, it is actively managed through the life of the project.
Yes.
We prepare and coordinate planning applications where required and manage the process with council and consultants.
Approvals are approached strategically, not reactively, which helps avoid unnecessary delay.
We also coordinate the building permit documentation and work with the building surveyor to secure approval.
Yes, and we strongly recommend it.
We act as contract administrator under the building contract. This includes assessing progress claims, reviewing variations, conducting site inspections, and issuing instructions where required.
This role provides independent oversight and ensures the project is delivered in line with the agreed documentation.
It is also where experience matters most, particularly in managing variations, assessing claims, and maintaining clarity between all parties.
A final note
We are not the right fit for every project.
We work best with clients who value careful thinking, clear process, and long-term performance. People who want to build something that lasts, both in how it is made and how it is lived in.
You will be working directly with us throughout. The service is personal, deliberate, and grounded in experience.
If that aligns with how you are approaching your project, we look forward to speaking further.