BLOG
What Makes a House Look Timeless?
After more than four decades in architecture, John Lea revisits homes he designed in the 1990s to see which design decisions have stood the test of time. Discover the timeless home design principles behind houses that still feel contemporary today.
Custom Home Design and Build Timeline in Australia
Most homeowners are surprised by how long a true custom home really takes. We break down the realistic 18 to 30 month journey, from first briefing to moving in, stage by stage.
7-Star Gold Coast Homes: Stay Cool, Live Smarter
All new homes built in Australia must meet a 7-star energy rating. Here’s what that means for Gold Coast homeowners – and how smart design makes compliance straightforward.
Gold Coast Home Renovation Costs Explained
This guide covers where to invest, where to save, and what to watch for – from structural surprises to approval fees – so your renovation delivers real value without the stress.
Australian Residential Architecture Trends 2026
Australian homes look different in 2026. Sustainability isn’t optional anymore – it’s standard. Here’s what’s driving the biggest changes in residential design.
How AI is Transforming Architectural Visualisation
How generative AI transforms architecture: faster visualisation, better client communication, and streamlined workflows explained.
How to Design a Home for Multiple Generations?
Planning a multi-generational home? Get expert architectural advice on flexible design, accessibility features & creating spaces that work for everyone.
Universal Design: Creating Homes for Aging in Place
Discover how universal design and the ABCB Liveable Housing Design Standard create accessible homes that support aging in place across Australia.
Sustainable House Demolition Australia Best Practices
Learn sustainable house demolition practices in Australia. Discover how to recycle 90% of building materials.
Key Considerations When Choosing a Solar System for Your Home
Considering solar for your Australian home? Learn the essential factors for selecting the right system to maximize your energy savings and ensure long-term satisfaction.
Australian Housing Design Trends for 2025
James Hardie’s Modern Homes Forecast 2025 identifies eight distinctive Australian housing styles that respond to environmental challenges and societal shifts while emphasising sustainability, well-being, flexibility, and resilience for contemporary living.
Cyclone Resilient Construction
As Southeast Queensland braces for Cyclone Alfred, the debate over Gold Coast Oceanway infrastructure highlights the crucial differences between Far North Queensland’s rigorous cyclone-resistant construction methods and Southeast Queensland’s more moderate building standards designed for less frequent cyclonic events.
Bushfire Protection Measures for Residential Design in Australia
Drawing lessons from recent Los Angeles wildfires and Australia’s own “black summer” experience, bushfire-resistant design has become crucial for Australian homeowners, emphasising the need for fire-resistant materials, strategic landscaping, and technological solutions to protect homes in increasingly fire-prone regions.
The Latest Trends In Swimming Pool Design
Discover why smaller plunge pools are becoming Australia’s preferred choice in 2024. Learn about costs, trends, and smart features.
Key Architectural Principles of water feature design
Master the art of water feature design and transform your living spaces with expert guidance on placement, scale, and sustainability, whether you’re dreaming of a sleek indoor fountain or a tranquil garden waterfall.
Exploring the Artistic Side of Architecture
Explore architecture’s artistic soul through sketches and drawings. See how these visual tools bring architectural visions to life.
The Most Popular Home Configurations in Australia in 2024
Discover 2024’s top Australian home configurations: bedrooms, bathrooms, and parking preferences. Explore how changing lifestyles shape popular house configurations nationwide.
Exploring Contemporary Applications of Brise Soleil
Contemporary applications of Brise Soleil combine functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability, making them a popular choice in various building designs worldwide.
Strengthening Home Security to Combat Youth Crime
The latest home security options that can help you deter and detect youth crime.
Architectural Design Trends for 2024
The homes of 2024 will not just be spaces to inhabit; they will be a testament to the evolving needs, values, and aspirations of the modern homeowner.
The Timeless Appeal of Mid-Century Modern Housing
A recent trip to Palm Springs in California saw us view firsthand many examples of original mid-century modern architecture.
The Rise of Paradise
From a seaside holiday village to a bustling metropolis. An insight into the evolution of high-rise towers on the Gold Coast.
Changes to the Building Code of Australia impacting new dwelling design
A delve into some of the key modifications introduced by NCC-2022, and the impact they will have on the design of new dwellings in Australia.
Construction Compliance Crackdown with D&BP Act NSW
Understanding the Design & Building Practitioners Act (D&BP Act) governing multi residential projects in NSW and why it’s important.
Adopting a timeless solution to address housing affordability
Housing affordability has affected many generations of aspiring Australian homeowners. This past novel approach is still relevant today.
Housing Affordability
Housing affordability is again a hot topic with interest rates gradually rising. Which generation has it better, and what does the future hold?
Another Dimension to Architecture
Measurement is a vital tool used in Architects’ daily design work, and it takes many years to become conversant with the key dimensions used in specific building designs.
VT – a user friendly alternative to VR
In a virtual tour, as the name suggests the user is offered a tour where viewing positions are predetermined. These are visible as hotspots within the 3D virtual spaces located to create a defined path that the user can follow to move around the model.
Architectural Design Trends for 2023
Our annual series of predictions for architectural trends in styles, building form, materials, and colours to become more prevalent in 2023.
Putting the AI into Architecture
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been receiving a lot of recent attention and promises to be another powerful digital tool for Architects.
Architechnology
A look at architechnology and how technology continues to improve architectural communication. Gone are the days of drawings boards with technology taking over.
Architecture – Playing The Long Game
The architectural process is one that requires time to achieve the best results – like this long project recently completed with our Tallebudgera Valley Manor House.
Let’s Go Retro
The popularity of Palm Springs mid-century architectural styling has made way for the repurposing of many older buildings previously destined for demolition.
Creation with Innovation
We embrace new and innovative construction technologies, and alternative building materials within our architectural designs with innovative solutions.
Architectural Design Trends for 2022
Our annual series of predictions for architectural trends in styles, building form, materials, and colours that will become more prevalent during 2022.
Learning Your Stripes, The Latest Design Trend in Architecture
A look at the latest design trend in architecture – stripes. We look at the architectural applications of stripes and how they are best used.
Disaster in the Construction Industry
We look at the impacts of new regulations that came into force on 1st July 2021 in response to residential high rise building failures.
MONA – a cultural phenomenon
We share our insights into MONA’s development in Hobart and why it has become such an important international cultural phenomenon.
Oceanway Battles
An overview of Oceanway related issues our client is currently experiencing building a new beachfront home on a southern Gold Coast site.
Construction Price Rises Imminent
Construction prices are rising rapidly, and material shortages are threatening the housing boom, potentially slowing our economic recovery.
Architectural Design Trends for 2021
Architect John Lea discusses the top architectural design trends that will become evident in 2021. The ongoing impacts of COVID have had a significant influence.
Top Tips for Building to a Budget
Designing to a budget when building is important. In this article we outline useful tips to assist you in achieving your goals.
What have we learnt from the WFH experiment?
When a life changing event like COVID causes dramatic disruption to our lifestyles, it ultimately requires an architectural response.
CLT – THE 21st CENTURY CONSTRUCTION DISRUPTER?
Recent advances in engineered timber products have resulted in mass timber construction (MTC) becoming considered as a commercially viable alternative to concrete and steel.
Refurbish or Demolish?
Whilst most of our projects involve designing new buildings, we are also regularly undertake renovations of existing properties.
Gold Coast House Design Guidelines
We are fortunate on the Gold Coast to have reasonably lenient planning restrictions in relation to residential design. Unlike many larger cities in Australia that have strict codes governing heritage conservation, building aesthetics, right to views, over shadowing etc, on the Gold Coast we have much more design freedom.
Housing Trends for Living in a Contagious World
We present 5 predictions as to how COVID-19 is likely to change our lifestyles and the way we design our homes in the future.
Contrasting colours and our perception of space
With the current Covid 19 pandemic confining most of us to our homes for extended periods every day for the foreseeable future, the perception and enjoyment of our indoor spaces has probably never been under such intense scrutiny.
Top Architectural Design Trends 2020
Gold Coast Architect John Lea discusses top architectural design trends that will become evident in 2020. Think RETRO with a modern twist.
10 Reasons to Use an Architect
Gold Coast Architect John Lea takes a look at 10 Reasons to Use an Architect including vision, budget, time, expertise and sustainability.
Designing for the Future
Architects must be aware of the latest advances in technology, materials, and societal changes ahead to impact greatly on how we will live.
Pantone Color of the Year 2020 – Classic Blue
The news is officially out. The much-anticipated Pantone Color of the Year for 2020 has been announced and they’ve selected 19-4052 Classic Blue.
Gold Coast Open House 2019
Gold Coast Open House gives attendees a look inside some of the most interesting and architecturally noteworthy structures on the Gold Coast. Here are some highlights from our visit to Gold Coast Open House 2019.
What You Need to Consider Before Designing Your Home
When you are planning your residential home build or renovation, there are many important points to consider before you even get to the design stage.
A Guide to Working with an Architect for your Home Design
Designing your new home can be an exciting time. Conversely, it may also be daunting with many important considerations to take into account.
Why Social Media is Important for Architects
As an Architect, the communication channels used with clients vary. In the past these primarily consisted of personal face to face meetings, email and phone contact.
Virtual Reality – A game changer for Architects and their Clients
Virtual reality transforms how Architects work by providing a fully-immersive experience to improve the way we design and present projects.
The Demise of Manual Drafting
Moving office recently I came across many of my manual drafting implements that were essential tools in my early architectural career.
Designing for Dementia
In order to establish the specialist design requirements for dementia care, it’s necessary to understand the main symptoms of the condition.
Emerging Trends in Residential Architecture
Want an overview of the latest design trends being incorporated within new homes today?
This informative guide provides an insight as to what is happening now, and what to look forward to in the future….