From the street, Birchwood 24 impresses with a confident yet understated coastal façade—PGH Salt bricks, soft Taubmans South Pole render, and Soho Hip cladding layered with a crisp Dover White roof create depth, elegance, and timeless appeal. These thoughtful design choices also help achieve an impressive 7.3-star NatHERS energy rating.

Step inside to a generous entry that sets a welcoming, coastal tone, guiding you into the well-zoned layout. A front guest bedroom with a luxurious two-way bathroom and a separate media room provide comfort, retreat, and versatility. At the heart of the home, the open-plan kitchen, living, and dining area is perfect for family life and entertaining, featuring a bespoke kitchen with Organic White Caesarstone benchtops, Pallido Smooth cabinetry, a Mallorca White tiled splashback, and integrated stainless steel appliances. A large walk-in pantry ensures seamless functionality.

The rear of the home is designed for relaxed family living, with light-filled living spaces that flow to the alfresco via recessed sliding doors. The inclusion of a ceiling fan makes this space perfect year-round, extending the indoor-outdoor lifestyle. The master suite offers a private sanctuary with a walk-in robe and refined ensuite, while the remaining bedrooms are generous and well-appointed.

Every detail of Birchwood 24 reflects bespoke design and intelligent planning, creating a cohesive, high-quality home built to endure.

Official Display Launch: Saturday, 28th February 2026 – Lilywood Landings, Display is open to the public 10am – 4pm Saturday to Wednesday.

For more information

Discover what’s possible when you build with McLachlan Homes.

Explore the McLachlan Homes Difference: mclachlanhomes.com

The post Introducing Birchwood 24 – McLachlan Homes’ latest Foundation Collection home appeared first on Completehome.

“Today, we spend about ninety per cent of our time inside, often losing our connection to nature and the outdoors,” says Anders Dam Vestergaard, VELUX Executive Vice President, North America, Europe and APAC. “As building practices developed, multi-space homes have become the norm in western societies. These layouts trade daylight and fresh air for privacy and convenience,” he adds.

In Australia, these shifts are being accelerated by very real pressures. Homes are becoming smaller and more tightly planned as our cities densify, blocks narrow and multi-storey living becomes more common. At the same time, rising energy costs are forcing homeowners to think differently about comfort, while growing evidence continues to link access to daylight and fresh air with better health, wellbeing and performance at home.

Anders points to well‑documented shifts in how we build and live, including the move from “constant ventilation” to closed interiors, rising indoor time, and the health impacts of low daylight and poor airflow. In Europe, a third of people live in inferior housing that affects health, with similar daylight and ventilation issues recognised in Australia and New Zealand.

Backed by more than eighty years of global daylight and fresh-air know-how, VELUX develops and tests skylight and roof window solutions specifically for Australian conditions. Here, Mr Vestergaard outlines three practical ways Australian homes can reconnect with the outdoors — improving comfort, reducing reliance on artificial energy, and creating spaces that simply feel better to live in, even in dense urban environments.

Bring daylight into the rooms we actually live in

Many modern homes are bright at the edges but dark at their core, particularly in kitchens, hallways and living areas where families spend most of their time.

“Daylight has a powerful impact on how a home feels,” says Anders Dam Vestergaard. “When natural light comes from above, it reaches deeper into the home, changes throughout the day and creates a much stronger sense of connection to the outdoors.”

Introducing daylight through the roof allows light to penetrate areas that traditional vertical windows often can’t reach – opening up internal spaces, reducing reliance on artificial lighting and making homes feel larger, brighter and more liveable. Done well, these improvements can lift everyday enjoyment of a home and contribute to its long-term value, far beyond the initial investment.

Let homes breathe naturally again

As homes have become more airtight and mechanically cooled, many have lost their ability to refresh indoor air naturally.

“A home that can release heat, moisture and stale air simply feels better to live in,” says Mr Vestergaard. “Fresh air is essential to comfort, especially in spaces like kitchens, bathrooms and living areas.”

Designing for natural air movement, allowing warm air to rise and escape while drawing in cooler, fresh air, can significantly reduce heat build-up and reliance on air conditioning. In a cost-of-living environment where energy bills are under pressure, this natural airflow can play a meaningful role in reducing day-to-day running costs, while improving comfort year-round.

Health authorities, including the World Health Organization, link poor ventilation and persistent dampness with respiratory issues, reinforcing the importance of planned airflow in modern homes.

Focus on how a home feels, not just how it looks

A beautifully designed home can still feel flat, artificial or uncomfortable if daylight and fresh air aren’t considered properly.

“We’ve become very good at designing homes to look impressive, but not always to feel good,” says Mr Vestergaard.

Research continues to show that people function better in environments with access to natural light and fresh air, supporting mood, concentration, sleep quality and overall wellbeing. As more Australians work, study and spend long periods at home, the way a home feels has a direct impact on how people perform within it.

Rather than blocking out daylight to manage glare or heat, thoughtful design uses softer, filtered light and intelligent shading to maintain brightness without discomfort – preserving the qualities that make spaces feel alive and comfortable throughout the day.

“We don’t need to choose between comfort and connection to nature,” Mr Vestergaard says.
“Homes filled with daylight and refreshed by fresh air don’t just look better, they perform better, cost less to live in, and feel better every single day.”

Bringing the ideas to life in the VELUX Virtual Reality Showroom

These principles come to life in the newly launched VELUX Virtual Reality Showroom, where visitors can step inside a virtual home and experience how daylight and fresh air change the feel of a space. Using immersive technology, the showroom allows homeowners, builders and designers to see how light enters from above, how air can naturally move through a home, and how thoughtful control of light supports everyday comfort, helping people understand the impact of these design choices before they build or renovate.

For more information

For more than 70 years, the VELUX Group has created better living environments for people around the world. Making the most of daylight and fresh air through the roof. Our product programme includes roof windows and modular skylights as well as a range of decoration and sun screenings, roller shutters, installation solutions and intelligent home controls. These products help to ensure a healthy and sustainable indoor climate. For work and learning. For play and pleasure. We work globally – with sales and manufacturing operations in more than 40 countries and around 10,000 employees worldwide. The VELUX Group is owned by VKR Holding A/S, a limited company wholly owned by foundations and family.

For more information, visit www.velux.com.

The post How our homes lost their connection to the outdoors and three ways to reconnect them appeared first on Completehome.

Available to view online or order as a hardcopy, this magazine isn’t just another publication. It’s a curated exploration of ideas that celebrate innovative design, environmental stewardship and enduring style, all grounded in real projects and forward-thinking concepts.

Leading the Charge in Sustainable Design

2026 marks a pivotal moment where design and sustainability intersect with purpose. Across the built environment, architects and designers are placing environmental performance, material longevity and ecological harmony at the heart of every decision. From biophilic spaces to carbon-conscious construction strategies, today’s homes reflect a new respect for place and planet.

Inside the magazine you’ll find:

• Insights from real Australian and New Zealand projects showcasing how sustainable principles are realised in form and function.
• Trend analyses that go beyond aesthetics, digging into how materials, technologies and lifestyle shifts are reframing design priorities.
• Inspiration for homeowners, builders and specifiers looking to incorporate eco-smart features without compromising on style.

From Concept to Built Reality

Whether you’re planning a new build, renovation or design refresh, the 2026 Sustainable Design Trends Magazine delivers forward-thinking ideas grounded in practicality. Expect stories that span:

• Natural and responsibly sourced materials that age beautifully and reduce environmental impact.
• Designs inspired by natural forms such as curves, reflecting how homes are evolving to explore the organic flow of Australian landscapes.
• Innovations in cladding, façades and building systems that deliver performance, durability and timeless appeal.

Be a Trendsetter

The transition to sustainable design is not just inevitable — it’s already underway. With pressures from climate, culture and cost reshaping how we design and build, Weathertex’s 2026 magazine equips you with the knowledge and inspiration to stay ahead of the curve.

View it online or order your FREE copy today to explore how sustainability can elevate every aspect of your next project.

https://weathertex.com.au/design-trends/

The post Unveiling the 2026 Sustainable Design Trends Magazine: Your Guide to Future-Ready Homes appeared first on Completehome.

This thoughtfully designed home combines accessibility, functionality, and style, with every detail carefully considered to create a safe and supportive environment that empowers its residents.

From spacious layouts to practical features, The Sanctuary exemplifies Gremmo Homes’ commitment to delivering high-quality, purpose-built housing with exceptional attention to detail.

The Sanctuary is a beautifully designed Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) home. Thoughtfully crafted as a fully accessible residence, it integrates Robust design and High Physical Support (HPS) features to provide a safe, comfortable, and independent living environment for individuals with disabilities.

During construction, the biggest challenge was creating a level platform over an area of approximately 615m² on a sloping site. This was a priority due to accessibility for residents, which Gremmo Homes achieved.

The site consists of two separate houses that work together to foster a sense of community while maintaining privacy and independence for residents. The design prioritises safety, convenience, and inclusivity, making it an ideal space for individuals seeking a supportive and empowering living environment.

The front house presents a contemporary façade, featuring a mix of green and white linear cladding, which complements the well-landscaped outdoor spaces and provides a wide, step-free entry for easy access. The back house, reflecting this design in navy, maintains a cohesive yet distinct aesthetic. Both houses showcase a pitched Colorbond roof in neutral Southerly, creating an inviting and visually appealing exterior.

Upon entry, residents are greeted by warm Easiplank waterproof floorboards, complemented by Dulux Vivid White walls. Each dwelling follows a distinct yet consistent internal scheme. Communal living areas in the front house encourage social interaction, featuring shared kitchen and lounge spaces where residents can engage in daily activities together. The kitchens are designed with functionality in mind, incorporating accessible benchtops, user-friendly appliances, and ample storage. The green-themed kitchen in the front house exudes a contemporary yet calming aesthetic, while the timber-accented kitchen in the back house radiates warmth and familiarity.

This harmonious design extends through the kitchens and laundries, which share a clean, modern finish that evokes timeless sophistication. Prime Oak custom joinery seamlessly blends with the overall aesthetic.

These intentional design choices prioritise calm and ease, essential elements in SDA housing. The front house facilitates communal living for three residents. Further back, a large HPS and Robust villa includes an individual bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, laundry, storage space, living, and dining areas. The back house has been designed to accommodate five individual villas, offering privacy and independence while also providing a breakout room for socialising.

Going beyond basic accessibility standards, The Sanctuary features specialised design elements that ensure a high level of physical access. High-impact wall linings, laminated glass, secure windows and doors, soundproofing, and dedicated retreat areas — both internally and externally — enhances safety while also supporting the wellbeing of residents. The commitment to inclusivity is evident in thoughtful provisions such as ceiling hoists, wide door openings, and accessible benchtops and appliances. Every measurement and access point is carefully designed to accommodate wheelchair use, ensuring a truly inclusive living environment.

Notably, the main villa features an alfresco area, while each individual villa boasts a courtyard, providing access to a beautifully landscaped backyard.

These thoughtfully crafted elements create a safe, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing haven within The Sanctuary, ensuring the wellbeing and comfort of residents. Meticulous attention to detail throughout the design exemplifies a commitment to inclusivity, independence, and support, making The Sanctuary a truly exceptional living space for individuals with diverse needs.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: A spacious, contemporary project with carefully executed elements delivering a safe, accessible, and functional environment that provides independence and practical support for residents. The build demonstrates impressive attention to detail.

For more information

GREMMO HOMES
Tel: 9894 1633
Design: The SanctuaryArchitect/designer: Duplex Building Design
Photography: Elevate Photography

The post Accessible Living with Style and Comfort appeared first on Completehome.

The Zenith Residence is a modern, luxurious two-storey house with a sleek and contemporary architectural design. The exterior features a combination of white and dark grey tones, complemented by glass balustrades and large windows that enhance natural lighting. The design integrates horizontal and vertical lines, geometric shapes, and modern finishes, making it stand out in a high-end residential area.

The sloped block presented a challenge during construction, resolved through the integration of tiered landscaping and strategic floor level adjustments. A staircase with angular steps leads to the main entrance, finished with external tiles and highlighted at night with feature lighting.

The entrance unfolds into a breathtaking foyer that exemplifies modern luxury. High ceilings, white walls, and luxurious marble-look tiles with a polished finish create a seamless blend of contemporary sophistication. A seating area invites guests to admire the natural light streaming through the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows.

Directly ahead, a striking floating staircase with glass balustrades leads to the upper level, where an open mezzanine overlooks the grand entry. The staircase, designed with a contemporary aesthetic, features custom spotted gum timber treads fixed to a steel mono-string in matt black. Moving forward, the foyer seamlessly transitions into the main living space, where an open-plan layout continues the home’s grandeur and openness.

The living area is designed for both relaxation and entertainment, with a feature fireplace and TV wall. Polytec wall panelling highlights the wall-mounted TV. To the right, a luxurious feature corner fireplace is finished floor-to-ceiling in high-gloss Atlas Concorde Fleury Grey tiles.

Adjacent is the dining area, with a modern gold chandelier that casts a warm and inviting glow, acting as both a functional and artistic statement piece.

Dividing the space is a geometric feature wall, an architectural highlight that subtly separates the entrance from the adjoining living spaces while maintaining an open, flowing layout. The interplay between grey tones, timber, and a crisp white backdrop creates a sophisticated contrast, reinforcing the home’s modern and luxurious ambiance.

The kitchen is a masterpiece of contemporary design, combining sleek aesthetics with high functionality. The cabinetry colour palette has been specifically curated to a refined mix of dark matte cabinetry in fuscous grey, warm timber accents, and a Talostone Imperial Danby benchtop, creating a striking yet balanced contrast that aligns with the rest of the house. The island bench serves as the centrepiece of the space, with dramatic waterfall edges.

The full-height dark cabinetry on the surrounding walls acts as a hidden butler’s pantry, ensuring abundant storage while contributing to the sophisticated, seamless appeal of the kitchen. A defining architectural element of this space is the geometric vertical feature wall that subtly partitions the kitchen from the adjacent living areas.

The strategic placement of these vertical lines enhances the feeling of height while maintaining openness, reinforcing the modern, clean aesthetic of the residence.

Upstairs opens up to a shared TV area, four bedrooms, and an open-plan study nook. The main gallery walkway acts as a mezzanine with a continued glass balustrade from the staircase.

The master suite opens up to a private balcony incorporated into the front façade and a spacious walk-in robe. The master ensuite exudes sophisticated elegance, combining dark grey stone tiles, a sculptural freestanding bath, and a sleek floating double vanity for a spa-like retreat.

The outdoor alfresco effortlessly extends from the living and dining spaces through expansive sliding glass doors. Outside, a spacious covered patio offers the perfect setting for alfresco dining and relaxation. Above is a pool area framed with a glass balustrade. Tiered landscaping seamlessly integrates with the challenging slope, ensuring both aesthetic appeal and structural integrity.

The Zenith Residence truly sets the tone for a luxurious and sophisticated lifestyle.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: A very well-built two-storey home offering great value. The gyprock detailing was excellent, and the polished marble flooring adds a touch of elegance, resulting in a high-quality, visually appealing result.

For more information

GREMMO HOMES
Tel: 9894 1633
Design: The Zenith Residence
Architect/designer: Douglas Design
Photography: Elevate Photography

The post A Luxurious And Sophisticated Lifestyle appeared first on Completehome.

This recognition highlights the exceptional craftsmanship, design, and attention to detail that define The Summit House, a standout example of luxury residential construction.

The Summit House commands attention, asserting its dominance at the end of a cul-de-sac. This four-storey, double-brick residence emanates strength through its street presence, featuring a façade that showcases a striking linear blend of modern elegance. The captivating combination of black and white render, along with Barrimah stone cladding, exudes sophistication and contemporary flair, creating a bold contrast against pristine white surfaces for a classic and clean aesthetic. Sandstone in the landscaping enhances the façade, adding warmth and texture to the overall design.

Upon entry, you are guided by a blackbutt timber-clad ceiling. The entryway is highlighted by floor-to-ceiling windows, creating a beautiful contrast with its linear surroundings. Two staircases converge at the entry floor, showcasing statement Scala Travertine batons laid in a herringbone pattern. This level leads down to the garage, adjacent to a private gym, media room, and powder room.

Alternatively, a lift can transport you to the open-plan main floor, flooded with natural light and seamlessly blending the kitchen, dining, and living areas for a harmonious mix of functionality and style.

On the main floor, attention is immediately drawn through the expansive living space, which seamlessly connects with the pool outside. Adorned with Ezzari glass mosaic tiles and Hayman Beadcrete, the pool is a visual spectacle visible from all levels within the home, establishing a harmonious connection between interior and exterior. The frameless glass pool fence ensures uninterrupted views, creating a fluid link between different areas of the house.

The kitchen takes centre stage with a dramatic splashback window spanning from one side and extending into the concealed butler’s pantry. This is complemented with custom timber joinery and a dining area protruding from the island bench, creating a unique focal point. The main floor also includes a generously appointed guest suite designed for multi-generational living, an open library with custom joinery, and a spacious study.

On the third floor are the second office and bedrooms, including a luxurious master suite with ensuite and private his-and-her walk-in robes. Upon entering this level, whether via lift or staircase, expansive views of the surrounding scenery unfold through strategically placed windows, providing a stunning vista from the void down into the living room. An adjoining terrace and balcony extend the views.

Perched at the summit of the house is the retreat and final fourth floor, a private sanctuary offering panoramic views from every window, showcasing the expansive house, landscaping, and pool below. The approval process was difficult as Gremmo Homes and Urban Harmony pushed for the fourth storey and had to make concessions to achieve this outcome, as it is very rare to be able to achieve a four-storey residential dwelling while keeping below height restrictions and maintaining neighbouring relationships.

This four-storey double-brick haven was built to incorporate two suspended slabs and double-brick external walls, meeting the final retreat which had timber joists and framing. The suspended slab design adds architectural sophistication, allowing for open and expansive living spaces without compromising structural integrity.

This construction technique enhances the overall aesthetic appeal while ensuring the residence stands as a testament to durability and innovation. The construction process reflects a commitment to precision and quality throughout.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: An impressive street presence on two blocks. Inside, spacious rooms with abundant natural light, high-quality fittings, and finishes combine to create an award-winning home.

For more information

GREMMO HOMES
Tel: 9894 1633
Design: The Summit House
Architect/designer: Urban Harmony
Photography: Elevate Photography

The post Standing Proud appeared first on Completehome.

For Clovelly House, this young family upsizing to a larger house wanted to modernise the existing home which was last renovated 20 years ago. As the owners often have family visiting from overseas, one of the major facets of the renovation was to upgrade the existing dark and damp granny flat to the underside of the garage into a space where parents and visitors could comfortably stay when visiting Sydney.

The plan for Clovelly House, designed by John Brown Projects, involved opening up the windows to the view and allowing light to enter the building, in addition to new joinery throughout and new bathrooms to main living areas. Windows and doors were renewed with soundproofing and double glazing. The existing pool was also demolished and relocated to create a safe pool for young children.

The owners lived in the house during the renovation to reduce costs, however, when they travelled overseas for a limited period, all the team was needed on site to complete interior works. This required accurate site measures, calculations and pre-planning.

The steep site and narrow street access made the team think outside the square to get materials onto the site. Access was organised through a neighbour’s garden, and allowed To The Mil to transport oversized glazing to site with no damage and minimal time delays.

Landscaping to the courtyard and rear enhance the flow and encourages indoor/outdoor living. The latest sound and airtight windows and doors used to the courtyard maximise airflow and natural light. Oversized glazing panels feature to the ground floor living area.

State-of-the-art interior design has enhanced the living space for young adults and children to make best use of the house.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: A challenging fit-out, executed to a high standard, featuring premium double-glazed Vitrosca doors and windows. With crane access unavailable from the front, the builder secured rear access via a neighbouring school. First-class workmanship with skilled trade work throughout.

To The Mil has built a strong reputation through word-of-mouth recommendations for excellence in construction, high-quality finishes, and a meticulous approach to delivering results. With over thirty years of experience, we take pride in our attention to detail and commitment to exceptional aesthetic design.

The company has also been recognized as a finalist in the Housing (Residential) » Home Unit Renovation Up to $500,000 category for their Bronte Apartment design. Additionally, their Bronte House project won the MBA Excellence in Housing Awards 2024 in the House Alterations & Additions category, with a budget range of $2.6M–$3M.

For more information

TO THE MIL PTY LTD
Tel: 9399 8800
Design: Clovelly House
Photography: Simon Wood Photography

The post Let There Be Light appeared first on Completehome.

The project falls within the $7 million to $8 million category for house alterations and additions. Although it began as a renovation, it ultimately evolved into a substantial reconstruction.

The project scope was a renovation focused on installing a lift and upgrading the kitchen and bathrooms to transform the property into the clients’ forever home.

However, demolition revealed major structural issues, including inadequate load-bearing footings, causing part of the house to slide down the hill while the rear remained anchored to rock, resulting in a transverse crack from one side of the house to the other. This led to a significant project shift, with 70 per cent of the existing dwelling being demolished and rebuilt to ensure its structural integrity and longevity.

The project involved extensive structural rectification and reconstruction, maintaining the home’s architectural integrity while introducing first-class finishes and seamless modern design elements.

Precision design and custom features

The new brief called for a highly detailed waterfront home with uninterrupted water views, featuring precision construction and high-end materials. The scope included custom joinery, bespoke architectural elements, innovative drainage solutions, and logistical planning to accommodate restricted site access.

Several key features make Serenity House truly shine. To create the statement entrance, a custom western red cedar battened pivot door with book-matched curved style was chosen. The sitting room’s cathedral ceiling is a striking design element, appearing as the home’s centrepiece despite being offset, achieved through an in-house-designed false ceiling for perfect symmetry.

Egyptian limestone slabs, each weighing 185kg, were fabricated on-site by MCC’s high-end carpenters. The slabs eliminate busy tiling lines while also ensuring a seamless finish with ultra smooth bullnosing.

High-end finishes include Vitrosca sliding doors across all three levels, frameless glass balustrading with concealed fixings, a pergola with a hidden awning track, full-height frameless doors with concealed hinges, solid strip timber flooring, and book-matched 1200x600mm tiles to bathrooms. These elements all showcase the high level of craftsmanship involved to create the home.

A 4000-litre glass-fronted fish tank and heated water feature double as a children’s play area, with all hydraulics designed and built in-house.

The site’s the unique coastal setting on steep terrain, coupled with its position down a narrow laneway, prevented heavy machinery from accessing the property. All materials had to be transported manually, with 325 tonnes of brick, concrete and steel removed using a custom-designed inclinator system. To overcome access challenges and improve efficiencies, MCC designed and built a timber cart on a rail system powered by an electric winch that moved materials up and down the steep site.

The Vitrosca door system required crane installation in the laneway, necessitating temporary steel beams and tri-shores to stabilise the crane’s outriggers.

Master craftsmanship and finishes

The Serenity House project stands as a testament to resilience, innovation, and master craftsmanship. By combining cutting-edge techniques with meticulous planning, Modern Concept Constructions delivered a luxury coastal home that meets the highest standards of design and durability. This project highlights its ability to navigate complex site conditions while executing refined architectural details.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS: Faced with half the house collapsing to the water’s edge, the builder demolished and rebuilt, hand-digging 8m piers to stabilise the structure. Level-5 finishes and expertly matched large-format tiles throughout wet areas demonstrate meticulous craftsmanship on this expansive project,

For more information

MODERN CONCEPT CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD

Tel: 0410 773 063
Design: Serenity House
Architect/designer: THW Architects (architect), RAN Studio Architects (collaborating architect)
Photography: Simon Whitbread

The post Serenity Now appeared first on Completehome.

Words Carrol Baker

Can you imagine AI designing your home? It might be one step closer than you think. After all, AI can write copy, optimise design layouts, build websites and predict future outcomes. Some AI chatbots can also mimic human interactions.

Stela Solar, director of the National AI Centre, CSIRO, says beyond the day-to-day things that AI can assist with, it’s playing a crucial role in solving some of the greatest challenges in Australia.

“This includes adapting to a changing climate, protecting unique ecosystems, accelerating drug design, and helping cities and towns run as efficiently as possible,” she says.

In the architectural sphere, some might argue that AI exists in the juncture between art and technology. Architect Dr Fiona Gray from Bioliving By Design says AI does feel like a natural continuation of that relationship.

“AI offers the ability to process and analyse large volumes of data far more efficiently than traditional methods,” she explains. “This makes it possible to explore multiple design scenarios quickly and run performance simulations related to things such as energy use, lighting, ventilation and thermal comfort.”

Breaking it down into nuts and bolts, AI can help with specific tasks, but not all. Architect Luke Carter from Sandbox Studio says in particular, AI can be effective with repetitive, mundane tasks. “This could be writing documents that are generic in nature, allowing us greater time to deal with intricacies,” he says.

AI can boost creativity, streamline workflows, aid project management, and it can help homeowners to conceptually visualise what their completed home could look like. The very real potential of AI lies in its ability to optimise design processes, maximise efficiencies and reduce project timelines, which can lead to cost-saving outcomes.

James Loder, an architect from Wardle in Melbourne, says the speed of design process is a definite attribute. “It means we can more effectively and quickly communicate to a client,” he notes. Wardle began using AI tools before many other practices jumped onboard. “It’s a fantastic means of drawing upon a large suppository of information in a very efficient way,”
he shares.

James adds that while AI is useful, it requires a human mind to curate the outcome. “It won’t replace that aspect of critical thinking that we bring,” he says.

AI-powered design tools

In the past, architects would draw diagrams and plans by hand. That changed with the development and deployment of Computer-Aided Design (CAD), a tool to assist with detailed technical drawings. Fiona began her career as an architect with a drawing board.

“I’ve seen how computer-aided design revolutionised what we could imagine and build,” she says. “AI could take that evolution even further by suggesting new spatial ideas, forms, and design approaches that challenge our assumptions and expand our creative toolkit.”

One of the tools that James uses is ChatGPT, a generative artificial intelligence chatbot. “It helps with the speed of writing reports and distilling large amounts of information,” says James.

In design, AI can also implement image generation tools — a key one is Midjourney. “It supports a fast exploration of beautiful visual material and detailed character,” explains James. “We can test it as a conceptual narrative, create images that support an idea in an abstract form, or use it to enhance the visual representation of a prospective view.”

The technology continues to evolve at quantum speed, so designers need to think on their feet. James says in this current phase of AI, anything we know right now will change and evolve in months. “Our approach is to not take it too seriously, to be nimble and playful with the way we are testing and exploring these tools,” he says.

It’s a slow burn

According to the RIBA Artificial Intelligence Report 2024, in the UK, 41 per cent of architects implement AI in visualisation, environmental exploration and idea generation. How does Australia shape up? The Australian Institute of Architects self-reporting survey results from September 2024 showed more than half of those who responded were using or exploring AI for concept design and renders, and design development.

The report showed some concerns with, among other things, the future role of the architect, liability when AI gets it wrong, loss of skills and knowledge, and unrealistic expectations of clients who have used AI to generate an “ideal home” engagement with the communities we serve,” she explains.

James adds that some of the benefits of AI in architecture are surprising. “You can generate outcomes that are unexpected. AI can push and test our thinking and there’s an immense benefit to that.”

Supporting sustainability

Informed and innovative designers continue to deliver sustainable designs in response to the fragility and finite nature of some resources, and to provide healthier, better-designed homes. James says AI could offer sustainability benefits in the operational performance of a building, particularly the embodied carbon. “Enormous amounts of data could be effectively synthesised or managed through an AI tool,” he notes. “This could be used to analyse building models and provide immediate feedback on potential ways to reduce embodied carbon.”

AI could potentially be a game changer with energy-efficient insights and optimisation of resources. Fiona says it’s also important to recognise the environmental cost of AI itself. “Training and running large models require significant energy,” says Fiona, “so we need to be selective and purposeful in how we use it, making sure its benefits to sustainability outweigh its footprint.”

The limitations of AI

AI is not an exact science; it does need to be treated with some degree of caution. James says it’s vital when using AI to double-check AI outputs, making sure the information is accurate. “It can make mistakes, and sometimes it can make things up in trying to provide what you want, which is disconcerting,” he admits.

James says AI is currently used like an automative tool, based on probability when information is fed into it. “I liken it to setting a design task with five architecture graduates. I’d select the one I like the direction of, provide feedback, and continue that exploration with a team member,” he says.

Another issue flagged with AI is a potential lack of new ideas and innovation. This is essential to improving practices, creating more efficient modalities and ways of accomplishing tasks. James says the risk long term with AI is that you aren’t progressing with new critical thinking. “AI is recycling content that exists elsewhere,” he says. “That would be a long-term risk if everyone shifted their reliance to AI. There would be nothing new.”

If information through AI is sourced from various programs, that raises another question: who actually owns it? Fiona says there are practical and ethical concerns such as copyright and intellectual property as AI tools are trained on vast amounts of material, much of it sourced without clear attribution. “This raises important questions about ownership of ideas generated by AI and whether they unintentionally reproduce or draw from copyrighted work without permission,” she explains.

One of Fiona’s concerns goes to the very heart of what residential architecture is all about — designing and developing unique spaces for people. “It’s about creating spaces with depth, soul and meaning. A human designer brings an embodied understanding of place that no dataset can replicate,” she reflects.

“The feeling of a gentle breeze, the scent of surrounding vegetation, or the distinct soundscape of a particular location are all sensory experiences that can only be grasped by being physically present and attuned to the environment.”

The spaces that designers create shape our lives and the way we interact with our environment at home. Architecture is human centred by design. It’s about fulfilling human needs.

Luke says that while AI might be able to potentially produce 80 per cent of the grunt work that architects currently do, it can’t do it all. “The remaining 20 per cent needs to be done by architects. Our social skills of communicating on a human-to-human level is what makes a project ultimately successful,” he points out.

Designing someone’s home is a close and personal collaboration between client and architect. It’s getting to know the individual and developing a relationship of respect and trust. Luke says the human-centred approach could never be fully replicated by AI. “For example, we have learnt through experience when clients don’t mean what they say, and what they mean when they say little,” he says. “This tacit knowledge will be the key reason why we think our profession will remain irreplaceable.”

The future of AI

AI is here. Of that fact, there is no doubt. The role of AI technology isn’t about replacing human creativity — it sets out to support and enhance it. AI and architecture can coexist. AI can efficiently do repetitive tasks and streamline workflows, with humans providing the necessary checks and balances. This means AI will enable architects to focus on the human-centred aspects of design — the imagining and the creating — so we can live in well-designed homes that enhance liveability into the future.

This article was originally published in Grand Designs Australia 14.2.

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Over the years, Dan has seen that the most iconic homes aren’t necessarily the biggest or the boldest—they’re the ones designed with purpose. They respond to their surroundings, they flow effortlessly, and they feel just right to live in.

3 Key Principles for Designing an Iconic Home

1. Respond to the site. Context is everything!

Work with your environment, not against it. Analyse your site carefully, look at how the sun moves throughout the day, where the wind comes from, the views you want to showcase or shield. A home that respects its context, whether coastal, urban, or rural, feels grounded and connected.

Hot Tip: Learn & implement passive design principles for optimal comfort & energy savings

2. Create a journey.

A great home isn’t just seen, it’s experienced. Use layout, sightlines, compression, and expansion to create a rhythm as you move from one space to another. Frame key views both inside and out, small glimpses of greenery, wide horizon lines, or even moments of surprise

“Great design isn’t just about how a space looks; it’s about how it moves you. The journey through a home — the way light shifts, the moments of stillness and surprise. The best spaces don’t demand attention, they invite you in”. – Dan Sparks

3. Honour materials – Texture, tone & touch

Material choice goes deeper than aesthetics; it’s about how a space feels. Use natural materials with honesty and intention. Think of the tactile nature of surfaces underfoot, the warmth of timber, or the way light interacts with stone or brushed metal. Prioritise durability, locality, and timelessness. The more authentic the materials, the more enduring the impression and comfort they create.

The Finishing Stages – Styling

“Iconic Design Is About harmony – every detail working together. Big Ass Fans are a feature, elevating both comfort and design with quiet confidence”. – Dan Sparks

Investing in features & appliances where it matters most helps to not only boost the aesthetic of your space, but make you live more comfortably throughout all seasons. Dan’s best tip? Invest in fixtures that are not just beautiful but are smart. From energy efficient lighting to quality ceiling fans designed to compliment architectural forms, the best design elements elevate both form and function.

The Haiku ceiling fan range from Big Ass Fans epitomises quiet luxury, with a whisper-quiet breeze expertly crafted for transeasonal comfort. Equipped with award winning smart-home technology, the Haiku series allows for comfort at your convenience without having to compromise on style and design. And the best part? The indoor Big Ass Fans range is accompanied by an industry-leading 5-year warranty meaning your investment keeps spinning, for years to come.

Shop the full Big Ass Fans range at bigassfans.com/au/residential/buynow/

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