Design Yard 32 Blog

A single-storey rear home extension at dusk with floor-to-ceiling black-framed glazing opening onto a landscaped backyard, timber outdoor dining table, and lawn
| Residential

What Actually Happens Before a Builder Starts Your Extension

Most homeowners planning an extension call a builder first. But before a builder can price the work or start construction, there is a substantial pre-build phase: concept design, working drawings, engineering, energy assessment, and permits. This guide explains the sequence from first designer meeting to builder appointment.

A GP consultation room with a padded examination bed, wall-mounted blood pressure and diagnostic equipment, a corner desk with dual monitors, and light timber cabinetry
| Medical

GP Clinic Design: Layout, Compliance and Fitout Planning for General Practice

Opening a GP clinic means working within a compliance framework that applies regardless of practice size. This guide covers NCC building classification, RACGP accreditation requirements for the physical environment, room types for a small practice, consultation room design standards, and planning permit considerations across Australia.

A dental surgery room with a reclined dental chair beneath a ceiling-mounted operating light, a wall-mounted monitor, white cabinetry, and timber-look flooring
| Medical

Dental Surgery Design: Planning a Fitout That Works for Dentists and Patients

A dental surgery is one of the most infrastructure-intensive fitouts in commercial design - equipment dictates the room before a designer draws a line, and compliance shapes every space. This post covers what actually drives the layout decisions, from services infrastructure and radiation shielding to zone logic and room-by-room requirements.

A beauty salon treatment room with a reclined white treatment chair, a brass adjustable lamp, a mobile trolley of skincare products, and neutral stone-look walls
| Beauty Salons

Beauty Salon Fitout Cost Melbourne: What to Budget

Beauty salon fitout costs vary significantly depending on salon type, size, finish level, and whether you are fitting out a new tenancy or renovating an existing space. This guide covers what drives the budget for hair salons, nail salons, beauty clinics, barber shops, and day spas - and how to plan a realistic budget before you talk to builders.