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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….
“Tis the season to be jolly…….”
Create Your Own Champagne Cork Christmas Wreath We currently live in an age where recycling is becoming an accepted normality of our day to day life. So, at this time of year when consumerism is at its peak, what better way to prove your environmental...
Reading Architectural Drawings 101 – Part B
In Part A of this guide (read here), drawing conventions governing sheet sizes and defined views were explained. This second and final instalment explains measuring techniques and how to interpret drafting annotations, symbols and graphics used in architectural...
Reading Architectural Drawings 101 – Part A
Do you struggle to make heads or tails of architectural drawings? Whilst Architects learn early in their training how to create and read architectural drawings, and some school curriculums offer technical drawing lessons, the average lay person may never have been...
Architect Exposes All
Architecture – the naked truth. Have you ever harboured secret ambitions to live the glamorous life of an Architect? Maybe after reading this expose you’ll decide that your chosen career path is not so bad after all! The Student Having...
Living in 21st Century Australia – can we adapt to the changes ahead?
Australia has a well-deserved reputation as the “lucky country”; we enjoy an enviable climate, a great lifestyle, and our living standards are high, even in comparison with other developed countries. This has been perpetuated by the great Australian dream of owning a...
Vertical Garden – the Ultimate in Organic Architecture
A vertical garden as the name suggests consists of multiple plants grown vertically, generally on a wall or other supporting structure. Found in nature and ancient civilizations, probably the most famous were the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the seven wonders of...
Game changing technology
How laser scanning and point cloud will influence architecture and design Innovative design technologies get us excited at Lea Design Studio and we’ve put the spotlight on a leading surveying technology that’s impacting on architectural, engineering and construction...
Latest trends in residential architecture for 2018
As with all fashionable items, residential architecture is constantly evolving, and new styles emerge over time. Our Principal Architect, John Lea, looks at the current trends in residential architecture and interiors and offers some insight as to what you are likely...
Gold Coast Architecture – 20th Century to Today
Having just paused to remember those fallen in wars across the globe, our Principal Architect, John Lea, has taken a trip down memory lane to put the spotlight on the evolution of architecture on the Gold Coast. His commentary reflects on the changing identity and...
Choosing the right architect
Why use an architect? Put simply, an architect is a professional who is suitably qualified to design, document and oversee the construction of the built environment that we live within. When it comes to the delicate journey of designing your own project and bringing...
Concierge Architecture – Pre Design Services – Case Study
Service: Pre-Design Concierge Architecture Project: The Noosa Sanctuary (Noosa RACV Resort), Noosa Heads Arguably the most common challenge faced by developers is achieving the best design for the most saleable product, within the many financial and planning...
Modular Construction – Is it the Future?
Modular construction has been touted for decades as the future direction of building, however in Australia it is yet to gain the level of acceptance that it already has in Europe and Japan where it is widely embraced. Unfortunately, here in Australia it is imbued with...
Introducing Lea Design Studio
After an extensive 30 years of experience working as an architect, an architect developer and a developer’s architect, John Lea is returning to his roots having launched Lea Design Studio on the Gold Coast. The architectural firm will draw on Mr Lea’s vast range of...
Extruded Composite Panel – An Innovative New Building Technology
Most people are familiar with composite decking, a product developed as an alternative to natural timber consisting of a mix of recycled timber fibres and plastics. Luxwood, a Beijing based company, won the contract to supply composite decking around the...
DIY Designer Christmas Tree
After many years of faithful Christmas service, our inflatable tree sprung a terminal leak. The poor tree, obviously coming from artic climes wasn’t used to full exposure to the sun, especially being positioned prominently on show against the glass in our new house....
How to Design a Mega Mansion
Chateau de Reves was one of the first houses I designed on the Gold Coast back in 1998. At the time I was the principal Architect of Pacific Projects Group (PPG), a Gold Coast based architectural practice specializing in prestige residential and resort projects...