Healthy home with timber walls, large windows, a metal pitched roof, surrounded by an Australian garden with a small deck

Architecture with Angie helps environmentally minded home owners design their healthy home in as little as 90 days by using building biology principles, minus the fuss.*

*Subject to terms and conditions

The image shows a modern and elegant bathroom with a minimalist design. The room has white painted block walls and a wooden ceiling with slats running crosswise, giving the space a warm and organic feel. Under the window, there's a timber bathtub that has a rich, natural hue, contributing to the room's tranquil and sophisticated ambiance. Behind the bathtub is a floor-to-ceiling arched window revealing a serene view of an Australian garden, with characteristic trees that have wide, spreading canopies. The window allows natural light to flood the space, illuminating the bathroom and offering a peaceful view that enhances the room's spa-like atmosphere. To the left of the bathtub is a vanity, also made of timber, with a round vessel sink. Above it is a mirror with a wooden frame that complements the room's cohesive natural theme. A wall niche and bench seat next to the bath provides space for towels or other bathroom essentials, maintaining the minimalist approach by keeping clutter out of sight. The overall effect is one of serenity, harmony, and connection to nature.

About

Angie has over 13 years of architectural experience, designing countless new houses and renovations, along with commercial and public architecture. During this time, she has studied and researched passive home design and healthy home design; two of the most important aspects of building biology that minimise the effects of buildings’ on the environment and health.

Accolades

  • Architects Registration Board of Victoria Award for Professional Practice 2014
  • Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Prize 2014

Services

Architecture with Angie understands that most people have never worked with an architect or building biologist before so would love to help you along the way.

Although the main aim of many projects is a home that facilitates a simplified lifestyle, now and into the future, the process of tailoring your one-off, customised home will take some time and involvement. It is, therefore, important that you select an architect that you can trust to have your best interests at heart and who can work with your day-to-day schedule. We understand that taking time off work during a weekday can be an unnecessary stressor so can visit on weekends or after hours and use online meetings when physical site visits are not required.

Working with an architect is a collaborative process involving many discussions, over time, regarding how you live today and how you want to live in the future. We will consult you throughout the process, from conception to reality, to professionally assist you to create your ideal home.

At the end of each step we will pause for your approval to make sure you are still on board with the direction the project is taking.

Pre-design

Project initiation lays the foundation for a strong design process before we put pen to paper. It is, arguably, the most important step to achieving your desired outcome. During the pre-design phase:

  • We meet (in person or online) and work together to develop a thorough design brief and understanding of your requirements
  • We make recommendations for the appointment of other specialist consultants, including a land surveyor straight away
  • We attend the site and assess the site conditions and constraints
  • We measure the existing conditions
  • We make initial inquiries regarding authorities’ regulations and requirements
  • We draw existing conditions based on the measure-up and land survey
Concept Design

After we understand your brief and the existing conditions have been drawn, the initial concept can be designed. we will:

  • Design, prepare and present at least one floor plan
  • Work with an independent quantity surveyor to provide a preliminary estimate of the cost of works
Design Development

Following your approval of the floor plan it’s time for to develop the design in 3D and:

  • Prepare and present digital 3D exterior perspectives of and elevations
  • Provide a schedule of proposed materials
  • Recommend engagement of an independent quantity surveyor to prepare a cost estimate
Town Planning or Report and Consent

With your approval of the overall form of the building we can determine whether town planning consent or report and consent will be required and:

  • Confirm statutory authority requirements
  • Prepare drawings, diagrams and reports for a town planning application or report and consent application
  • Assist with coordinating specialist consultants
  • Assist with lodging the application
Construction Documentation

If the town planning/report and consent has been approved or was not required it’s time to get stuck into preparing more detailed documents for construction and:

  • Work with specialist consultants to prepare drawings including plans, elevations, sections and details with schedules to enable building permit approval to construct the project
  • Prepare specifications describing the quality of materials, finishes and work necessary to obtain statutory approval
  • Submit documents for statutory approval
  • Recommend engagement of an independent quantity surveyor to prepare a pre-tender cost estimate
  • Provide recommendations on the preferred method of builder selection: tender or negotiated offer
Contractor Selection

If tendering is the preferred method of builder selection we can:

  • Assist with determining the preferred tender process
  • Prepare tender documents and issue to all tenderers
  • Respond to tender inquiries
  • Receive and open tenders
  • Assess the tenders
  • Negotiate with the preferred tenderer, if required, to obtain an acceptable offer
  • Prepare reports on tenders and recommendation for your acceptance

If a negotiated offer is the preferred method of builder selection we can:

  • Assist with determining the preferred negotiation process
  • Issue relevant documents to the prospective builder
  • Arrange and coordinate negotiations and enquiries with the prospective builder
  • Assess submissions from the prospective builder to establish the contract price and project scope
  • Prepare a report and provide recommendations for your acceptance
Contract Administration

When the builder is lined up we can get ready for work to commence on site.

Prior to construction we:

  • Prepare contract documents
  • Arrange for you and the builder to sign and execute the building contract documents

During construction we:

  • Report regularly regarding time, cost and progress of the project
  • Visit the site periodically to observe the general conformance of the construction works with the building contract documents
  • Instruct the builder regarding design quality control, materials selections and performance in regard to the building contract documents
  • Arrange, attend and record minutes of site meetings at regular intervals
  • Review shop drawing submissions by the builder
  • Provide the builder with instructions, supplementary details and clarification of the contract documents
  • Assess and determine variations and obtain your approval in writing where required
  • Assess and determine the builder’s progress claims and issue progress claim certificates
  • Assess the builder’s claims for extensions of time
  • Adjust prime cost and provisional sums
  • Instruct the builder regarding incomplete work and rectification of any defects
  • Assess and determine practical completion and issue the notice of practical completion

After construction:

  • During the defects liability period, we instruct the builder in regard to incomplete work and rectification of any defects
  • Advise you and coordinate the procedure for the rectification of any defective work by others
  • Assess and determine final completion and issue the final certificate

We celebrate!

Blog

Explore the latest in building biology, sustainable architecture, and healthy home design with Architecture with Angie. Our blog offers expert insights on creating eco-friendly, health-enhancing living spaces. Discover practical tips, design trends, and real-life transformations for your architectural journey.

Age in Place: Designing Your Forever Home with Health in Mind

Designing a home for aging in place ensures a functional, safe, and comfortable living space as physical abilities change. In Australia, the NCC 2022 and Livable Housing Design Standards outline key principles for creating accessible homes. Bonus features include step-free entryways, safe bathrooms, functional kitchen design, adequate lighting and smart home technology for enhanced accessibility…

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Ergonomic Home Design: Creating Comfortable and Productive Living Spaces

As more people spend time at home, the importance of ergonomic home design becomes evident. Applying ergonomic principles to your home layout and furniture selection can enhance comfort, productivity and overall health. Key strategies include adjustable furniture, proper workspace setup, clutter-free layout, proper lighting, movement encouragement, adaptive design, and healthy air quality.

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The Anatomy of a Green Kitchen: Energy-Efficient Appliances and Sustainable Materials

Designing a green kitchen involves balancing functionality with eco-friendliness, reducing energy consumption, and prioritising sustainability. This is achieved through energy-efficient appliances, sustainable materials for cabinets and countertops, non-toxic paints and finishes, sustainable flooring options, efficient water use and plumbing, and waste management and composting, resulting in a functional and stylish eco-friendly kitchen.

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More…