Residential Architecture Services in Melbourne & Victoria

Designing High-Performance Homes

Designing a home is a complex journey involving design decisions, council approvals, specialist consultants and construction oversight.

At Sunpath Architects, we guide clients through every stage of that process: from the first conversation and concept sketches through to construction completion and Passive House certification.

With nearly twenty years of architectural experience and a specialist focus on Passive House design and engineered timber construction, we create homes that are comfortable, durable and thoughtfully designed around how you want to live.

Whether you are planning a new home in inner Melbourne, a rural tree-change or sea-change residence, or a long-term retirement home designed for comfort and energy efficiency, our structured eight-stage process provides clarity and confidence from start to finish.

Experience You Can Rely On

✓ 20 years professional architectural experience

✓ Certified Passive House Designer (qualified and delivering PH projects in Victoria since 2012)

✓ Registered Architect in Victoria (ARBV)

✓ Registered Building Practitioner (BPC/VBA)

✓ Specialist expertise in engineered timber construction (CLT and glulam)

✓ Multiple certified Passive House Plus projects delivered

Read more about our Practice and the full Services we provide.

Our Values

It is always a privilege to be entrusted with the design of someone’s home, often at a significant moment of change in their lives.

We value the opportunity to work closely with our clients, to understand their stories, priorities and aspirations.

We are also mindful of the trust placed in us to guide significant investment: balancing budget, ambition and long-term value with care and clarity.

The people and their projects shown here reflect that shared journey, and we are continually grateful for what we learn through each collaboration.

It is deeply rewarding to see these homes lived in; to watch clients move through spaces we have imagined together, and to know that the places created will support daily life, family moments and long-term memories.

There is a quiet joy in shaping spaces that become meaningful over time, places people grow up in, return to, settle into, and make their own. Read more about Our Philosophy.

High-Performance Residential Architecture

Sunpath Architects specialises in homes that combine considered architectural design with exceptional building performance.

Our work integrates Passive House design principles, engineered timber construction including CLT and glulam, airtight low-energy building envelopes, and prefabricated construction systems.

This combination produces homes that are comfortable, resilient, energy efficient and built to last.

Every project is modelled in PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) and designed for independent certification where pursued.

Who We Typically Work With

Sunpath Architects specialises in homes that combine considered architectural design with exceptional building performance.

Our work integrates Passive House design principles, engineered timber construction including CLT and glulam, airtight low-energy building envelopes, and prefabricated construction systems.

This combination produces homes that are comfortable, resilient, energy efficient and built to last.

Every project is modelled in PHPP (Passive House Planning Package) and designed for independent certification where pursued.

Our clients are typically homeowners planning:

A new custom home on an existing or recently purchased site
A major renovation or extension to an existing property
A Passive House or high-performance low-energy home
A rural tree-change or coastal sea-change residence
A long-term retirement home designed for comfort, durability and low running costs

Many clients approach us early in the process; sometimes before purchasing land to explore ideas, understand site potential and assess feasibility.

An early conversation is always worthwhile.

Our Architectural Design Process

We follow a structured eight-stage process that ensures clarity, accountability and quality from the first conversation through to handover and certification.

Each stage builds on the previous one, and you are involved throughout.

The following explains what happens at each stage, what you receive, and why it matters.

01 Brief and Site Analysis

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02 Concept Design

Sketches exploring design possibilities

03 Design Development

3D & Passive House modelling

04 Planning Permits

Permit Drawings & Applications

05 Construction Documentation

Detailed drawings & specifications.

Building Permit Approvals

06 Procurement & Tendering

Selecting, Pricing and Appointing of a Registered and Insured Building Contractor

07 Contract Administration

Independent Administration of the Building Contract

08 Completion and P.H. Certification

Defects & Contract Finalisations

Independent Passive House Certification

01 Brief & Site Analysis

Understanding your goals, budget, site and constraints.

02 Concept Design

Early design ideas shaped by site, climate and orientation

03 Design Development, PHPP

Refining layout, materials and performance strategies

04 Planning & Approvals

Managing planning permits and regulatory requirements

05 Construction Documentation

Detailed drawings, specifications and Building Permit Approvals

06 Procurement & Tendering

Selecting, Pricing and Appointment of Contractor

07 Contract Administration

Independent Administration of Building Contracts and Payments

08 Completion, Handover & Passive House Certification

Defects & Contract Finalisations; Independent PH Certification

01 Brief & Site Analysis

Every project begins with understanding your site, your brief and your ambitions. We visit the site, to explore topography views, vegetation, watercourses, drainage; we review planning overlays and constraints; research climate, wind and solar directions

02 Concept Design

At this stage we are testing ideas: how the building might sit on the land, how rooms relate to each other, where natural light and views can be captured, and how the home responds to orientation, neighbours and landscape.

For Passive House projects, early consideration of solar access, shading and building form is critical — it is much easier to optimise performance at concept stage than to retrofit it later.

What you receive: Preliminary concept plans, elevations and site analysis. An initial discussion of budget, programme and project feasibility.

03 Design Development and Passive House Planning

Once the concept direction is confirmed, we develop the design in detail. This stage involves three-dimensional modelling, material selection, and the integration of engineering, interiors, geotechnical, quantity surveying, energy and surveying consultants.

For certified Passive House projects, this is where we undertake detailed energy modelling using PHPP (Passive House Planning Package). PHPP modelling allows us to optimise insulation levels, glazing ratios, orientation, shading and ventilation rates before construction begins — ensuring the design will meet certification thresholds.

We work through the design iteratively with you, refining plans, sections and elevations based on your feedback, consultant input and performance modelling.

What you receive: Developed plans, sections and elevations. 3D model visualisations. PHPP energy analysis (for Passive House projects). Coordinated consultant reports. Updated budget estimate.

04 Planning Permits and Regulatory Compliance

With the design resolved, we prepare the formal documentation required for planning approval. This includes finalised drawings, shadow diagrams, site context analysis and all supporting reports required by your local council.

We manage the planning application process on your behalf, respond to council queries or requests for further information, and liaise with planning officers as needed. If your site has heritage overlays, vegetation controls, or other specific planning requirements, we address these in the application.

For projects in bushfire-prone areas, we coordinate Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) assessments and ensure the design meets the relevant construction standards.

What you receive: Planning permit application drawings and documentation. All required consultant reports and assessments. Council liaison and application management.

05 Construction Documentation

This is the most technically intensive stage. We prepare detailed construction drawings and written specifications that define every aspect of your project — dimensions, materials, connections, finishes, fixtures and performance requirements.

These documents form the basis of your building contract and building permit application. They describe the scope and quality of the work precisely, so that builders can price accurately and construct to the standard we have designed.

For Passive House projects, construction documentation includes detailed airtightness strategies, thermal bridge-free junction details, HRV ductwork layouts, and specifications for triple-glazed windows and insulation systems. For engineered timber projects, this stage coordinates CLT panel layouts, glulam beam schedules and prefabrication drawings with the timber supplier.

What you receive: Fully dimensioned construction drawings. Written specifications of materials, finishes and inclusions. Coordination drawings for engineering, services and specialist systems. Building permit documentation.

06 Procurement and Contractor Selection

With complete documentation in hand, we manage the process of selecting a registered and insured building contractor. This typically involves a tender process where we issue construction documents to selected builders, receive and assess pricing submissions, and advise you on the most suitable appointment.

We assist with contract negotiations, ensuring that the scope, programme, pricing and quality expectations are clearly defined before construction begins. We also coordinate the building permit application and any other permits required.

For Passive House and engineered timber projects, we specifically assess each contractor’s experience and capability with airtight construction, prefabricated systems and performance-critical detailing. Not every builder is equipped for this work, and selecting the right contractor is essential to achieving the performance we have designed.

What you receive: Tender documentation and builder shortlist. Tender assessment and recommendation. Contract negotiation support. Building permit coordination.

07 Contract Administration

During construction, we act as your independent agent, administering the building contract on your behalf. This is one of the most important roles an architect plays, and one that is often undervalued until something goes wrong.

We organise and attend regular site meetings with you and the contractor, and issue formal meeting minutes and instructions. We review the work on site against the construction documents, assess any variations to time, scope or cost, and certify progress payments and retention amounts in accordance with the contract.

For Passive House projects, site inspections include monitoring the integrity of the airtight layer, insulation continuity and thermal bridge-free detailing at critical construction stages. These are the moments where performance is built or lost, and experienced oversight makes a significant difference to the finished result.

What you receive: Regular site inspections and meeting attendance. Formal meeting minutes and site instructions. Variation assessment and cost management. Progress payment certification. Independent quality oversight throughout construction.

08 Completion and Passive House Certification

As construction nears completion, we prepare and manage the defects inspection process — identifying items that need to be rectified or completed before handover. We certify when the works and any retention periods are complete and funds can be released to the contractor.

For certified Passive House projects, this stage includes coordination of the final blower door airtightness test and submission of all required documentation and performance data to the independent Passive House certifier. Achieving certification confirms that your home performs as designed and meets the internationally recognised Passive House standard.

Handover includes a thorough briefing on how your home operates, particularly the ventilation system, heating, solar PV and battery systems. A well-designed Passive House is simple to live in, but understanding how the systems work together ensures you get the full benefit from day one.

What you receive: Defects list preparation and management. Practical completion certification. Blower door airtightness testing coordination. Passive House certification submission and approval (where pursued). Operational briefing and handover. See examples of completed projects.

What Sets Our Process Apart

Several aspects of our process distinguish it from a conventional architectural practice:

Passive House integration from the outset.

PHPP energy modelling begins at design development, not as an afterthought. Performance is designed in, not bolted on.

Engineered timber coordination.

For CLT, glulam and SIPs projects, we coordinate structural design, prefabrication and envelope performance as a single integrated process as described here.

Independent contract administration.

We administer the building contract as your agent, protecting your interests, managing quality and certifying payments independently of the builder. Note that a building design practice cannot offer this service.

Certification to completion.

We see projects through to Passive House certification and handover, not just to the end of construction documentation.

Lived experience.

We believe in this so genuinely that our own home is designed to meet Passive House Plus, built from prefabricated Glu-lam Posts & Beam Construction.

We understand the practical realities of living in a high-performance home, and this informs every design decision we make for our clients. See examples of our projects.

Project Costs and Fees

Indicative Construction Costs

Custom architectural homes reflect superior materials, detailed design and quality craftsmanship. Our projects typically involve high-performance building envelopes, prefabricated and/or engineered timber construction and Passive House certification, which influence construction costs accordingly.

Indicative construction cost range: $5,000 – $8,000 per sqm + GST

(Based on recent market conditions. Actual costs vary with size, site, complexity and material choices.)

Construction costs are influenced by site conditions, building size, level of finish, material selections and any specialist requirements such as off-grid systems, bushfire compliance or challenging terrain. We design efficient, space-conscious homes that optimise value and functionality — good design does not require excess space.

How Our Fees Work

We provide full architectural services across all eight stages, with fees calculated as a percentage of the construction cost. This is the standard fee model used across the Australian architectural profession and offers several advantages:

Proportional:

Fees scale with the scope and complexity of the project, so you are never overpaying for a simple project or underpaying for a complex one.

Flexible:

As the project evolves and costs are refined through each stage, fees adjust accordingly. This avoids the need to renegotiate fixed fees whenever the scope changes.

Transparent: Monthly invoicing is aligned with each design stage, so you always know where you are financially. There are no hidden costs or unexpected lump sums.

We discuss fees openly at the outset and provide a clear estimate before any work begins. If you would like an indicative fee estimate for your project, we are happy to provide one during an initial consultation.

Where We Work

We design from our studio in Albert Park, Melbourne and take on projects exclusively within Victoria. Our work spans inner Melbourne and the Bayside suburbs, the Mornington Peninsula, Macedon Ranges, Yarra Valley, Surf Coast and Geelong, Gippsland, and the High Country.

Focusing on Victoria allows us to maintain close involvement throughout construction, particularly during the critical stages of airtight detailing, envelope completion and certification testing. Every project benefits from regular site presence, and we do not delegate site inspections.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the architectural process take?

A typical residential project takes 6 to 12 months from concept design through to construction commencement, depending on complexity, council processing times and consultant work. Construction duration varies with project size and methodology: prefabricated engineered timber projects can be significantly faster on site than conventional construction.

Do I need to pursue Passive House certification?

No. Certification is optional and is pursued at your discretion. However, as standard we design all our projects to meet Passive House performance levels, because we believe this produces the best outcome in terms of comfort, energy efficiency and durability. Certification adds formal verification and an internationally recognised quality mark.

Can I engage you for only some of the stages?

We offer full architectural services across all seven stages and strongly recommend engaging us through to completion. Clients who engage an architect only for design and documentation often find that construction quality and cost control suffer without independent contract administration. That said, we are happy to discuss your specific circumstances.

What size projects do you take on?

We design custom residential projects of all sizes — from considered additions and renovations through to large new homes and rural properties. The common thread is a commitment to quality, performance and thoughtful design. We also offer a range of affordable prefabricated Passive House designs for standard sites.

How much does it cost to engage an architect?

Our fees are calculated as a percentage of construction cost and are discussed openly before any work begins. For a personalised estimate based on your project scope and site, we invite you to arrange an initial consultation.

What is the difference between an architect and a building designer?

Architects are university-qualified, registered professionals with specific legal responsibilities around public safety, professional indemnity insurance and ongoing professional development. In Victoria, the title ‘architect’ is protected by law under the Architects Act.

A registered architect brings design training, technical knowledge, contract administration capability and independent oversight that protects your interests throughout the project. Only architects can administer building contracts and certify payment stages.

Architects undergo extensive training in Design and Aesthetics so your building will be more beautiful, more comfortable and will be a better long-term investment.

Whether you are considering a tree-change in regional Victoria, a refined coastal residence, or a certified Passive House in Melbourne, an early conversation allows us to explore feasibility, site potential and performance ambitions together.