Sense of Place

The Great Southern and South West regions of Western Australia have a character all their own, with a rich natural landscape shaped by a rugged coastline, towering forests and a mild temperate climate. Our design process is dedicated to exploring the elements that make these regions so distinctive, investigating the unique aspects of each site – the local microclimate, the character of the natural surrounds and the cultural features – to tease out the opportunities each place has to offer.

We believe that developing a deep understanding of each site enhances our design’s connection to the natural and intrinsic character of a place – creating coherent, healthy and vibrant spaces. Working closely with our clients, we create buildings that connect their inhabitants with the surrounds, forging a palpable sense of place.

Sustainable Design

We believe it’s vital for our designs to be as sustainable as possible, reducing costs and environmental impact. Our buildings incorporate cutting-edge sustainable technologies that minimise reliance on heating and cooling systems. Optimal building orientation, effective insulation and high-performance glazing can be used to create comfortable temperatures without high power usage, while strategic window placement can create natural breeze paths, keeping the property cool during the summer months.

Of course, sustainable design is about more than just reducing the running costs of a building. Our devotion to sustainability extends to using construction materials with low ‘embodied energy’, meaning we take into account the amount of energy it takes to make the materials before they’re even used to create the building.

Alongside sustainability, we also prioritise comfort and safety. In high humidity areas we use permeable external materials to reduce condensation build up, and by prioritising the use of safe and non-toxic materials and finishes, we ensure all our designs result in healthy living environments.

Sustainable Measures

  • Efficient thermal insulation
  • High-performance glazing
  • Internal thermal mass elements
  • Permeable external materials to reduce condensation
  • Low embodied energy materials, sourced sustainably
  • Low-toxicity paints and finishes
  • Passive ventilation
  • Passive solar gain and prevention
  • Solar and wind power generation systems
  • Heat pump hot water systems
  • Rainwater harvesting
  • Water reuse systems