Design Process

A successful project begins with a clear and well-considered brief.

We take time at the beginning of each project to understand how you want to live, what you want your home to enable, and what is important to you in both daily life and long-term use.

Key areas include:

• Lifestyle and how you live day to day 
• Spatial needs (family, entertaining, work, retreat) 
• Motivations and aspirations for the project 
• Specific requirements, interests, or functional needs 

This ensures the design is grounded in your life, not just a set of rooms.

Every site has its own opportunities and constraints, and understanding these early is essential to good design.

We place strong emphasis on reading the land carefully so the design responds appropriately to its context.

Key considerations include:

• Climate (temperature, rainfall, seasonal variation) 
• Sun and orientation 
• Prevailing wind and exposure 
• Views and outlook 
• Topography and contours 
• Access and movement 
• Privacy and boundaries 
• Vegetation and ecological features 

This process ensures the design is shaped by the site, not imposed on it.

Once the site is understood, we carefully consider how the building and supporting elements are placed.

This includes the positioning of:

• the main dwelling 
• outdoor living spaces 
• access and arrival 
• services and infrastructure 
• shelter and wind protection 
• orientation to sun and views

The goal is to optimise the relationship between the home and its environment, ensuring comfort, usability, and long-term performance.

We design with environmental performance integrated into the form of the building, rather than added as an afterthought.

Key strategies include:

• passive solar design for heating and comfort 
• shading to manage heat gain 
• natural ventilation and airflow 
• thermal mass and material response 
• daylight optimisation 
• reducing reliance on mechanical systems where possible 

This results in homes that are comfortable, efficient, and responsive to their environment.

A well-resolved home sits within its landscape rather than competing with it.

We consider how the building:

• follows or responds to natural contours 
• connects indoor and outdoor spaces 
• frames or moderates views 
• works with existing vegetation and landform 
• engages with the broader character of the site 

The aim is a sense of belonging within the landscape, not imposition upon it.

Good design must perform in everyday use, not just in concept.

We consider:

• long-term durability and maintenance 
• ease of use and circulation 
• buildability and construction logic 
• resilience in rural and coastal environments 
• adaptability over time 

This ensures the home continues to function well long after completion.

For selected projects, we bring expertise in natural and low-impact materials, ensuring they are used appropriately and perform as intended.

These may include:

• rammed earth (thermal mass, durability, presence) 
• timber (structure, cladding, finishes) 
• straw systems (insulation and breathability) 
• wool insulation (natural, low-toxicity performance) 
• stone (durability and connection to place) 

Material selection is always guided by performance, context, and long-term suitability.