That initial excitement of deciding to renovate or restore an older home can quickly turn into overwhelm. Where do you begin? Who should you speak to first? Will council allow what you’re hoping to do? And how do you avoid the cost blowouts that are only exciting on Grand Designs ? If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Renovating an older or heritage home is complex, and knowing where to start is often the hardest part. As a Melbourne

As a heritage home renovation architect in Melbourne, I’m often asked by new (and soon-to-be) clients is: “How do we actually do this?” For most, it’s their first time renovating or restoring a home, so it’s natural to feel unsure about where or how to start. The role of an architect is to run the whole process - for you, and with you. Here’s how it works. Pre Design Before any design work begins, we need to understand your site, your home, and your needs. Design brief  – you

Buying or renovating a heritage home in Melbourne? One of the most common issues you’ll come across is cracking. Understanding what causes these cracks (and how to fix them properly) is essential to protecting your home’s value and structural integrity. In this series, I share insights from years of inspecting and restoring historic and heritage homes. I’ll talk what to look out for, what to avoid, and how to identify the hidden problems sellers sometimes try to conceal. In t

If you’ve been searching for a home in Melbourne, or you already own one, you may have come across a property with a heritage overlay . And like many homeowners, you might be wondering: “Will a heritage overlay reduce my property’s value?” It’s a fair question. Heritage controls can sound restrictive, but the reality is far more nuanced. In fact, for many properties, a heritage overlay can protect and even boost value , if you know how to work with it. In this article, we’ll

You’ve spent years dreaming, watched countless episodes of Grand Designs, and finally, it’s time to make that dream home your reality. The most critical decision to realise your vision is choosing the right architect for you. Firstly, let’s clarify the full role of an architect: They translate your dreams and wishes into a tangible design, bringing their creativity, knowledge, and experience to shape your new home.  Once the design is complete, the architect produces construc

Heritage overlays, are controls set by local councils, designed to preserve houses of cultural or historical significance.