Melbourne

We strive to make a positive difference to the health and happiness of people’s lives through the quality of every environment we create.

Innovation and creativity

We believe innovation and design quality should not cost more than standard ways of building.

Glenroy Community Hub Reading Room

Healthy Buildings for the community

We are motivated by projects that have the potential to make a difference to the world we live in. Evidence shows that connecting people with nature in the built environment can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of the planet and of individuals.

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In the Melbourne studio, we start with the premise: How can architecture improve people’s lives? It is our role and obligation as designers to add value to our clients’ projects by innovating with integrated architecture that is visually enriching, socially responsive and ecologically restorative.

We are a passionate architecture practice that is dedicated to creating healthy buildings in community infrastructure projects.

Healthy buildings

We are motivated by projects that have the potential to make a difference to the world we live in. One of the questions we ask ourselves is ‘What makes a healthy building?’ Evidence shows that connecting people with nature in the built environment can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of the planet and of individuals. We are redefining what makes a healthy building and realising this fully in our projects.

Our people

Working from our studio at the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, in the old GPO building, we prioritise teamwork, wellbeing and healthy work practices. We value and respect our team of diverse and talented designers, architects, technicians and creatives by providing a supportive and inspiring place to work. Our organisational culture promotes positive role modelling and advocating for a socially just and environmentally responsible society. We prioritise the fostering connections of people and nature in every decision we make.

Our work

We are leaders in architecture for hospitals and laboratories, universities and schools, community and workplace projects. Taking a holistic approach to the built environment, our architectural and interior design expertise is complemented by our experience in master planning, feasibility studies, adaptive reuse, stakeholder engagement and strategic business case development. We work on projects at all phases and a range of scales. We are well-known as enthusiastic collaborators with our clients, consultants and other architecture firms.

We recognise our responsibility to bring the voice and wisdom of First Nations peoples into the design of our built environment. Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) sets out our commitment to consult with First Nations peoples so we can better understand and show respect to Aboriginal people and the Country our buildings will occupy.

Sustainability and the Climate Emergency

In January 2020, we became a signatory to the Australian Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency and committed to becoming a carbon neutral business. Our efforts to reduce harm to the earth and all its inhabitants through our work and how we work are detailed in our Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). As we continue to focus on being a leading centre of excellence for ecologically sustainable design and regenerative design principles, we believe that integrating sustainability into all our projects is fundamentally important.

Learn more about our journey to carbon neutrality here.

View DesignInc Melbourne studio’s Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) here.

Recent Awards

YearAwardProject
2024 Commendation, Small Public Library, Library Design Awards, Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) Glenroy Community Hub
2024 Finalist, Biophilic Design Awards, Living Futures Institute Glenroy Community Hub
2024 Finalist, First Nations Design, Victorian School Design Awards New Schools 2024 – Nganboo Borron School and New Schools 2024 – Nganboo Borron School
2024 Winner, Minister’s Award, Victorian School Design Awards New Schools 2024 – Nganboo Borron School
2023 Commendation, Sustainability Award, Australian Institute of Architects (VIC) Glenroy Community Hub
2023 Commendation, Modernisation – Large, Learning Environments Australasia Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2023 Commendation, Innovative Education Initiative, Learning Environments Victoria/Tasmania Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2023 Finalist, Architectural Design, Victorian Premier’s Design Awards Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2022 Winner, Ministers Award, Victorian School Design Awards Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2022 Finalist, Best School Project above $10M, Victorian School Design Awards Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
2022 Winner, Public Building, Sustainability Awards Glenroy Community Hub
2022 Winner, Best Sustainable Project, Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards Glenroy Community Hub
2022 Winner, Excellence in Construction of Commercial Buildings $20M–$30M, Master Builders Victoria Excellence in Construction Awards Glenroy Community Hub
2022 Shortlisted, The Learning Space, INDE.Awards New Schools 2021 – Ramlegh Park Primary School
2022 Shortlisted, The Health and Wellbeing Space, INDE.Awards Jewish Care Anne and Eric Smorgon Active Living Centre
2022 Commendation, New Construction / Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments Australasia New Schools 2021 – Ramlegh Park Primary School
2021 Commendation, New Construction/Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments Australasia (VIC/TAS) New Schools 2020 – Lucas Primary School
2021 Winner, New Construction / Entire New Educational Facility, Learning Environments Australasia (VIC/TAS) New Schools 2021 – Ramlegh Park Primary School
2020 The Wellness Space Award, INDE.Awards Cabrini Health Gandel Wing
2019 Finalist, Award for Best Public Building, Property Council of Australia Ballarat Community Health Primary Care Centre
2019 Best Custom Home over $2M, Excellence in Housing Awards, Master Builders Bio-courtyard House
2018 Winner, Research, Policy and Communication category (won by Aspect Studios), Australian Institute of Landscape Architects Awards Monash University Living Laboratory
2018 Gold Award, Marketing – Interactive Signage [for interactive LUMES wall by ENESS], Melbourne Design Awards Cabrini Health Paediatric Ward
2018 Winner, Education Award, IIDA Global Excellence Awards Victoria University Building C Lecture Theatres + Active Learning Spaces