Studio Culture
We design quietly confident buildings shaped by landscape: earth-sheltered, bushfire-responsive, and storm-resilient—with the efficiency and elegance of concrete arches. Our culture is calm, technical, and collaborative: we solve hard problems with clear drawings, good engineering, and steady project stewardship.
Principles That Guide Every Project
Landscape-First
We begin with contours, wind, water, and sun. Buildings settle into terrain to gain thermal stability, acoustic calm, and long-term durability.
- Embedded forms for lower exposure
- Daylight via courtyards, light-scoops, and aspect
- Low visual impact, high comfort
Resilience by Design
Detailing anticipates bushfire and severe storms: simple shapes, robust materials, protected openings, and defensible landscapes.
- Compact massing & shielded envelopes
- Non-combustible facades & protected eaves
- Passive survivability & redundancy
Concrete Arches, Smart Structure
Arches span efficiently, reduce material, and create calm interiors. Our systems balance buildability, performance, and cost.
- Efficient spans with thin concrete shells
- Curved geometry that sheds heat & debris
- Forms that integrate into topography
A Calm, Engineering-Led Process
Clear Roles, Tight Feedback Loops
Architects lead concept and coordination; engineers verify structure and resilience; cost input arrives early so choices are informed, not rushed.
We document with clean linework, buildable details, and council-ready packages to keep approvals moving.
Client Involved, Never Overwhelmed
We keep decisions digestible—site strategy, plan options, materials, and risk—so you can move forward confidently.
“Good design removes stress from the process as much as it removes heat from the facade.”
1) Site & Risk
Topography, vegetation, drainage, access. Early bushfire and storm considerations set the brief.
2) Concept & Arches
Organise rooms under efficient spans and into earth. Courtyards unlock light and ventilation.
3) Documentation
Concise drawings and details aligned to approvals and construction—no fluff, just clarity.
The Studio Ethos
Sustainability without Fuss
Thermal mass, earth cover, and simple ventilation outperform gadget-heavy solutions. We design for low energy by default.
Details that Defend
Shutters, protected openings, ember-aware junctions, and robust materials—so the building is ready on difficult days.
Steady Stewardship
We communicate early, document clearly, and stay accountable—through design, approvals, and delivery.
R&D in the Open
Our studio culture is iterative: we prototype arch variations, refine junctions, and test sequences that make construction faster and safer. We share learnings in plain language so clients and builders can make better decisions.
From Site to Section
We trace sections through the terrain first—then let plans follow. This keeps light, privacy, and thermal strategy aligned from the start.
From Detail to Delivery
Small decisions compound: a clean parapet, a protected opening, a sensible drain. We sweat details so the whole is robust.
Culture in Practice
Principles of Earth-Sheltering
Daylight, ventilation, and comfort inside the landform. Learn how we bring light deep into plan.
Concrete Arches
Efficient spans, reduced material, and forms that fit the site—our structural backbone.
Bushfire-Responsive Design
Envelope strategies, materials, and planning moves that elevate safety and resilience.
Culture Questions We Often Get
Do earth-sheltered homes feel dark?
No—when planned well, they’re bright and calm. We use courtyards, clerestories, and correct orientation to capture balanced light.
Is this approach cost-effective?
Arches and compact massing can reduce structure and finishes. Fewer exposed faces can also lower maintenance over time.
Where do you practice?
We’re based in Sydney & Melbourne, working across Australia with local consultants, builders, and councils.
How do you handle approvals?
We prepare clean, council-ready documentation and coordinate the right specialists early so approvals progress smoothly.
Design that Belongs to the Land
Our studio’s best work is quiet, resilient, and deeply fitted to place. If that sounds like your brief, let’s talk.