We are a modern residential architecture studio based in Melbourne and Country Victoria. Our design process begins with you (because we don’t like to design alone).
01. Scoping Out – Are we a good fit?
The process starts with a Contact Form. Fill it out here. We will continue with a short email exchange and conclude with a phone call. On this short phone call – we’ll ask you questions about your project, time-frames, and budgets.
02. Meet and Greet
Hopefully, you’ll appreciate our curiously filled eyes and ears, but we’ll have a coffee or kombucha on site to have an in-depth dive session to extract the nitty-gritty. We listen to how you’re going to be living in these spaces, brewing coffee in them, snoring away the sweetest dreams, and bathing kids in them. This initial meeting makes sure we’re a good fit. From there, we’ll submit a proposal that includes a quote for our professional fees.
03. Lock it in
We’re going to be creating something special together. Working together means you join our community, enabling you to tap into our local expertise, hand-picked builders, trades, and other experts. Once you’ve paid your deposit, we’ll send you a proposal of our services; how we will guide you through the dust and mud, and tips on how to strengthen your working relationship with an architect, plus a few more surprises.
04. Define
Goals have been outlined, challenges assessed and initial research has been performed. We explore concepts and ideas and take them to the next level, refining them, pushing them and pulling them into reality. We propose a solution that fits within your timeline and budget. You will able to review the concept and provide feedback for the final idea.
05. Design
Once your home design has been confirmed by you, this design phase is a detailed deep dive into the drawings and supporting documents needed to create your project. These may be submitted to your local council and shared with trades. Every design is a response specifically to that project which means no two designs are ever the same.
06. Build
If you’ve decided to let us manage the construction of your project, we will oversee the preparation and execution of the building contract and build. We have regular meetings on-site with tradies to make sure all the nuts are bolted in securely and correctly. We answer any contractor queries and manage variation requests, as well as keeping you up-to-date with construction progress. Once the builders are done, we run our eyes over, checking for defects and fine-tuning. Then, we hand over the keys so you can move in.
We are the right fit if…
1
You' are seeking a residential design with our modern aesthetic
2
You want a one-of-the-kind design, not a recreation of something you found online
3
You want your home to be a reflection of you, rather than a trend
4
You want your home to grow and adapt with you and your lifestyle
5
You are open enough to trust us with creative direction
6
You are willing to be pushed outside your comfort zone
Frequently asked questions
+ Why do I need an architect?
How much does it matter to you to get what you want at the end of the day? An architect has the training, the accreditation and experience to design and create a realistic plan for you.
A good architect will listen to your specific needs and tailor design to suit your vision and respect your budget that builders may overlook.
Architects can also help fast track permits, guide contractors while onsite working on construction or renovations.
+ Are you the right architect for me?
Deciding to renovate or building your home from scratch is a huge undertaking, both financially and emotionally. It’s not just about finding someone who has a good track record on similar projects, but it’s also useful to see how they work and what they’ve done. Take a look at our Projects to see if our design styles align.
Since we will be working closely together for a while, it’s important we share the same aspirations and values. If you want to get a sense of what’s important to us at Steele Studios, you can learn about it here.
+ What type of projects do you take on?
For us, just like you, it’s mostly about being a good fit. We specialise in modern residential architecture. Our portfolio extends to new builds on tight blocks in the inner suburbs of Melbourne, to renovating and extending forever homes along the Australian coast to sustainable design up hidden driveways in country Victoria.
Get in Touch here if you have something in mind.
+ Do you specialise in green architecture?
Clint grew up playing amongst the gum trees and has a deep connection with nature. As architects, it is our responsibility to proactively reduce our environmental footprint through considered design. We don’t have all the answers but are constantly evolving design as nature and technologies change.
We design homes that exist in harmony within their particular environment. This includes selecting earthy textures of materials, positioning windows that filter sunlight in, designing walls that keep water out and heat in and merging natural energy wherever possible.
+ Do I need a site?
Yes, eventually you will. We'd love to chat to you before, but to get your project rolling, we need a site. We believe a well designed home is responsive to the site and connected to the surrounding environment.
As architects, we study the site, whether slopes help with a view or hinder foundations and need to be cleared, and how the sun moves. All of these factors help create a structure designed to maximise its potential.
+ Do we have to sign up for your full services from the outset, or can we take it one step at a time?
Steele Studios can save you time and money by helping you make the right decisions early on. This could include advising on land selection and assisting with the council to get the required approvals and permits.
We love being involved from start to finish; transforming those napkin scribbles into detailed drawings, getting council approval and permits for the drawings, and overseeing construction until you are handed the keys to move into your new home.
If you choose to sign up for our full service, you will get access to our local network of well-respected and professional trades, project management so you don’t wake up worrying over window measurements or the electrician not showing up.
You can also take it one stage at a time. We can test our working rhythms and establish whether our services are feasible and within your budget.
Learn more about Our Services here.
+ How much will my newly built home cost?
We can’t tell you exactly how much we charge without first finding out about your project. If we could, we’d be trying to fit you inside a box which isn’t how we do things. Your home is unique in size, specifications and complexity and the cost is a reflection of that. To give you a ballpark, our typical fees range from 8% to 15% of construction cost.
What we can say for certain is that good design and streamlined project management is worth it. We save you time, money and stress, which gets you moving into your new home to pop that bottle of champagne sooner.
We’re also happy to show you examples of our past projects and give you an idea of figures involved. What’s important is that you are honest with us about your budget as it is for us to be upfront with you about costs. If we are both on the same page, we can continue to dream big and aim high.
Factors and people to consider in your budget include planning application fees, construction costs, building control fees, an architect, a structural engineer and maybe even surveyors. This all depends on your site, location, design and level of specification.
We only take on a few projects a year so we can keep our ear close to the ground and both eyes on the ball.
We’d love to hear from you and understand your needs, Get in Touch through this simple Contact Form.
+ How long does it take to build a house?
Great question which is (almost) impossible to answer. For a well-appointed quality home, the average home in Australia takes from 4 months to 12 months.
Variables can affect the timeline such as:
- size your home
- complexity of the design
- custom features and materials selected
- characteristics of the land
Delays may also occur if the land hasn’t yet been purchased, or design hasn’t been locked in, planning permits haven’t been approved or your preferred builder isn’t available for a few months.
We don’t cut corners and are invested in designing your home to the highest quality possible. Once we’ve listened to your aspirations as well as your budget, we’ll be able to work out what’s possible. From there, we’ll provide you with a program so you can follow along with the progress. Our role is to build flexibility into the schedule, anticipate any snags that may lead to delays and keep a close eye on any issues that arise.
We’re building your beautiful home together and will need you as much as you need us. You will need to allow time for the project to run its right and proper course. As a collaborative process, we’ll be asking you questions, running things by you and coming to the right decisions together. We know that takes time, but guarantee it is time worth spending.
+ Where do you work?
We split our time between two offices. If you are in Melbourne, you can visit us in Thornbury. We are also fortunate to be nestled mid-way between Woodend and Daylesford, approximately one hour away from Melbourne on the edge of the Wombat State Forest in Trentham, Victoria.
We love to work close to our patch of grass and getting to know our neighbours.
We also like to keep our horizons wide and have projects in Melbourne, from the stunning seaside of Williamstown to tight-fitting blocks in the inner-city suburbs of Melbourne.
Key suburbs we like to work in:
Country Victoria: Trentham, Newbury, Blackwood, Daylesford, Woodend, Hepburn Springs, Castlemaine and Kyneton
Melbourne: Abbotsford, Richmond, Kew, Hawthorn, Malvern and Toorak
If it’s the right project and you’re the right client, we’ll work almost anywhere.
Get in touch.
Got an idea? Don’t know where to start? We’d love to chat.