Residential Design Services & Process
Design and Documentation for new homes, home extensions and interior design for Melbourne homeowners.
Home Extensions & New Homes
Site Analysis
Every new home or extension begins with a careful review of your block and its surroundings. We assess the size, shape, slope and key features of the land, and identify early what the local council will permit. We also study the site’s microclimate to maximise passive solar gain, natural ventilation and good daylight while managing overshadowing. At this stage we organise the reports your project may require, such as a land survey and, where needed, an arboricultural or bushfire report. It is essential to identify planning zones and overlays requiring planing permit or special design considerations, like heritage overlay.
By the end of this step, you will have a clear site plan with a proposed building footprint and an understanding of your site’s opportunities and constraints.
Concept Home Design
Once we have analysed your site, we start designing your home. Using 3D modelling to show layout is very popular with our clients. With this tool you will be able to see all stages of design in colour and even experience a walk through your home – much more than just a flat floor plan.
During our concept stage we apply passive design principles, consider energy efficiency, structural design, planning controls and predict the range of building costs.
We also integrate interior design into the process from the start. To avoid costly mistakes the inside and outside of a home should be planned together.
Documentation for Tenders
We believe in starting to track building costs early in the process. When the design is ready, we put together a set of drawings for builders to price. The set contains dimensioned plans, sections and technical information for builders to work out your initial quotation. We document your lighting design, specify a range of materials and finishes, fittings and fixtures, describe special features. For low risk projects we can create this package before approvals stage. The engineering, footings and excavations need to be a part of this stage, as they have great effect on pricing.
Approvals Documentation
If your project needs a planning permit, we prepare the drawings and coordinate any supporting reports for your council submission.
The next step is the building permit. This means putting together architectural drawings, engineering documents, and specialist reports. These are reviewed by a registered building surveyor.
All new homes and extensions in Melbourne need a building permit, even if a planning permit is not required. This step makes sure your design meets all building rules before construction starts.
Support During Construction
Once your builder starts, we hand over the final documents and stay available throughout the build. We can help with any design questions from your builder, suggest alternatives if a material becomes unavailable, and prepare wall, ceiling and slab set out plans, plumbing plans, and electrical fittings layout. Staying involved during construction helps you protect your original design, keeps decisions in line with the approved plans, and supports informed decision-making on site.
The Design Process for Extensions & New Homes
SITE ANALYSIS
CONCEPT DESIGN
TENDER DOCUMENTS
APPROVALS
SUPPORT DURING BUILD
Interior Design Services
Existing Conditions and As-Built Drawings
Interior design starts with understanding your home as it is today. We measure the space, record the layout, and note affected windows and doors. We note load-bearing walls and structural elements, existing plumbing and electrical services. This gives us a set of as-built drawings showing the current state of your home - a solid base for the new design. For larger home renovations, we often measure the whole building so the new work fits naturally with what is already there.
Interior Concept Design
With the existing conditions recorded, we start developing new interior. We use 3D modelling to develop the layout, apply materials and colours and present it via illustrations and walk through sessions. This is a popular service amongst our clients as they can clearly visualise the atmosphere and character of the proposed spaces. We explore opportunities to create an experience even within transitional and connecting areas of the home. We also look into bespoke solutions, unique fittings and fixtures, and how materials enrich the overall composition. While working on your design brief, we also consider construction complexity, structural implications, and buildability.
Tender Documentation and Builder's Quote
After the concept design is approved, we prepare a detailed drawing package used by builders to source building materials and fittings, and to price the project. This tender documentation includes dimensioned plans, technical information, and joinery drawings for bespoke cabinetry and built-in elements. The areas such as bathrooms, laundries and kitchens require additional coordination to comply with waterproofing requirements under the National Construction Code. During this stage we work closely with you to document lighting solutions, produce electrical layouts, and finalise your selections. Ask us to help you to organise a builder quote for your project.
Approvals Documentation
Substantial transformations often involve structural changes to the building. Where structural alterations are proposed, a building permit may be required. This calls for a set of drawings that need to be coordinated with an engineer and submitted to a building surveyor. This stage ensures the proposed design aligns with regulatory requirements before construction begins, providing clarity for both the client and the builder.
Support During Construction
Once your renovation team is in place, we hand over the final documents and stay in touch during the build. We can answer design questions, help with material substitutions, and prepare extra drawings as needed. Ongoing design involvement helps you preserve the original design intent throughout construction, or ensures an informed decision is made if deviation is required.
The Design Process for Interior Design & Renovation
EXISTING CONDITIONS
CONCEPT DESIGN
TENDER DOCUMENTS
APPROVALS
SUPPORT DURING BUILD
Complementary Services
Interior Design Consultation
Interior Design Consultation is onsite session where we review your space and provide professional guidance to help you move forward with confidence. During the consultation we can discuss layout improvements, renovation ideas, kitchen and bathroom planning, colour schemes, materials and finishes, lighting, furniture placement, and storage solutions. We can also review existing plans, including kitchen or joinery drawings prepared by cabinetmakers or builders, and provide an independent professional opinion before you commit to construction. This session is ideal for homeowners who need expert independent advice at an early stage of their project or want reassurance about their design decisions.
The consultation is also a helpful first step before engaging our full interior design service, which includes detailed drawings and full project documentation.
Feasibility Study
You may be planning a new build, extension, or renovation. If you like planning ahead, you are probably already exploring different possibilities in your mind.
Early in the process it is important to understand how the site conditions may affect the project — whether the land slope will influence building costs, what planning controls apply, whether building on the boundary is possible, and where an extension would best be placed. Considerations such as bushfire or heritage overlays, expected construction costs, and the potential value added to the property also play a role.
These are important factors to understand before committing to a full design scope. Our Feasibility Study service is designed to provide clarity about your site and development potential, helping you make a more informed decision and plan the next steps with confidence.
Ready to Start Your Home Renovation or New Build?
Whether you are planning a home extension, a kitchen or bathroom renovation, a second storey addition, a new home, or a knockdown rebuild in Melbourne - we would love to hear about your project.
As building designers and interior designers based in Frankston South, we work with homeowners across Melbourne and Victoria. Get in touch today for a no-obligation chat about your home.
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