For homes in bushfire-prone areas, resilience involves more than simply selecting fire-resistant materials. How a house is positioned on the site, designed, detailed and landscaped can all influence how it performs during a bushfire.

Designing homes to live with flood risk Flooding is part of living in Brisbane. If you're planning a renovation or new home on a flood-affected property, the immediate response is often: “How do we keep the water out?” Sometimes that's possible. But another important question is: “If flooding does occur, how can we minimise the damage and recover more quickly?” That's the principle behind flood resilient design. Rather than relying on a single solution, flood resilience consi

Our Renovation Project Budget Calculator is designed to help you bring these costs together and develop a more realistic picture of your total project budget.

how much will it cost per square metre?

Architect-designed homes and renovations are often associated with higher construction costs. But good design itself isn't necessarily expensive.

f you're planning a renovation, extension or new home, you'll probably hear two approval terms fairly early in the process: DA and BA. They are different approvals dealing with different aspects of your project.

If you own an older house in Brisbane, particularly a Queenslander or pre-war home, your property may be affected by the Traditional Building Character overlay.

If your current home no longer works for you, renovating may seem like the obvious solution. But before investing substantially in an existing property, it's worth asking a broader question: Is renovating actually the best option?

When people talk about their renovation budget, they're often referring to the amount they expect to spend with the builder. But the building contract is only one part of the total project cost.

For many Brisbane homes there are three broad options: extend up by adding another level, extend out into the site, or build under an existing raised house.

Renovating a Queenslander presents a unique set of opportunities and constraints. Done well, it can significantly improve both the way the home functions and its long-term value

Before committing to detailed design, there are some fundamental questions to answer: What can realistically be achieved? What planning or site constraints need to be considered? Is the proposed budget realistic? And what architectural and consultant services will actually be required?

But getting the best from a bayside property involves more than simply adding floor area. The existing house, orientation, site levels, neighbouring properties, planning constraints and the way the home connects with its outdoor spaces should all inform the design.

Renovating a Queenslander presents a unique set of opportunities and constraints. Done well, it can significantly improve both the way the home functions and its long-term value

Architectural services can range from the relatively basic documentation needed for a Building Approval through to comprehensive design, planning applications, documentation, specifications, tendering and involvement during construction.

If you're planning a new home or major renovation, one of the first decisions you'll make is how your project will be delivered. Many builders now offer a complete Design & Construct (D&C) service, taking care of design, documentation, approvals and construction under one roof. Alternatively, you can engage an architect independently to develop and document the project before committing to a builder.

If you’re planning a renovation, extension or new home, one of the first decisions may be who you engage to design it. In Queensland, both architects and building designers can prepare designs and documentation for residential projects. From a homeowner’s perspective, the services can initially look quite similar.

Brisbane’s post-war homes make up a significant part of the city’s established suburbs. Generally simpler than the traditional Queenslanders that preceded them, they were built at a time when materials and labour were constrained and houses tended to be smaller, more economical and less elaborate.

When you're planning a renovation or new home, it's tempting to start with the design. You probably already have ideas about how the house might look, rooms you'd like to add and a collection of images showing the style you're after. But before asking “What should we design?”, there are some more important questions to answer.

Architectural fees can vary considerably from one project to another. A straightforward renovation requiring limited documentation may involve relatively modest architectural fees, while a major renovation or new home requiring planning approval, consultant coordination, detailed documentation and assistance during construction will require a much broader scope of service.