The Australian Ugliness, Featurism and our suburban landscape today
The Australian Ugliness has become an icon of mid-20th-century urban suburban life. In his book, Robin Boyd wrote that the fixation with a 'nice couple (or few) of features', as we choose to forget all else, can create a disconnectedness from our built environment. Through this disconnection and feature-focus style of designing he argued that occupants missed out on developing connections and meaningful experiences with their home or neighbourhood. With today’s increased development pressures and competition for space it is no wonder then, that many contemporary towns suffer from suburban ‘featurism’ – sacrificing connection in favour of exteriors masquerading design variety through facade articulation. So what can architecture do for an occupant beyond superficial visual pleasure? This blog post aims to use a critical analysis of Boyd's work and draw conclusions about how his theories may contribute towards today’s approach to urban planning so our towns are more than capable of providing solutions beautiful at scale and connectedly liveable for those inhabiting them.
The Value of Hiring an Architect in Australia
Building a home is a huge investment not just in terms of money but also in terms of time and effort. You want to make sure that the end result is a home that meets your needs and makes you happy. That’s where an architect comes in. In this post, we’ll explore the value an architect brings to the table, the requirements to become a registered architect in Australia, and why it’s worth the investment to hire one. Additionally we outline some important questions to ask your architect prior to signing up!
What is Net Zero Architecture?
If you’ve ever been curious about net zero architecture, this blog post is for you. Net zero architecture is an essential component of climate action—one that can reduce emissions and save money in the long run. In short, it’s a way to design buildings which are “zero net energy” — buildings which produce as much energy as they consume over the course of a year.
5 Ways to add high-impact value to your new kitchen without blowing out your budget.
When it comes to adding value to your home, the kitchen is often one of the most important rooms to focus on. A new kitchen can be a big investment, but there are ways to add high impact without blowing out your budget. Here are five tips to get you started.
Bringing it back to basics: The quintessential verandah house
The verandah house is an icon of Australian design, and it's no wonder why. These homes are simple yet stylish, and they offer a relaxed way of living that is perfect for our climate. Whether you're looking to renovate your home or build a new one from scratch, a verandah house could be the perfect option for you. Here's everything you need to know about these quintessential Australian homes.
Smart design ideas for designing a beautiful home on a narrow site
If you're looking to renovate or build a new home on a narrow site, there are some smart design ideas you can use to make the most of your space. By being strategic about how you layout your rooms and choose your finishes, you can create a beautiful home that feels open and welcoming. In this journal entry, we'll share some of our top tips for designing a narrow home.
How good design can impact Health & Wellbeing
In today's world, it is not enough for a home or building to look good—it must also be designed in such a way that it increases the health and wellbeing of its inhabitants. Good design not only improves the aesthetics of a space, but also optimises passive thermal comfort through the use of natural light, natural ventilation, and natural materials. Here, we explore how good design can improve your health and wellbeing.

