Melbourne Architects for Families & Developers.2026-10-22T05:26:12+00:00

Melbourne Architects for Families & Developers.

Homes that feel right, and hold their value.

We design architecture that works for how you live, and performs financially, without overcapitalising.

From feasibility to completion, we guide your build so nothing costly gets missed.

START YOUR PROJECT
VIEW OUR PROJECTS

•new houses • apartments • commercial properties • townhouses • alterations and extensions • multi-units developments •  country homes •  city dwellings • estates • infill development•new houses • apartments • commercial properties • townhouses • alterations and extensions • multi-units developments •  country homes •  city dwellings • estates • infill development

How we see it

Most people think an architect’s job is to draw what you ask for.

That’s a draftsperson’s job. An architect’s job is to ask whether it’s the right thing to ask for in the first place.
Before we design anything, we question the brief.
We look at your site, your budget and what you’re actually trying to achieve, then test a few different ways of getting there against planning rules, buildability, cost and how it will actually feel to live in or sell.
That’s slower than jumping straight to floor plans. It’s also the difference between a renovation that solves the problem and one that just repeats it in a nicer finish.
We’ve seen the alternative go wrong. One family had already been through another architect. In their words, he spoke all the language and had lots of nice things to say, but didn’t really understand building, and even they could see the designs weren’t practical.
Nice drawings and the right words don’t help if the design can’t be built the way it’s drawn. We’d rather spend an extra hour questioning the plan than spend your money building the wrong one.

Meet our team

When you work with ArchIdea, you work with us directly. Not an account manager, not a graduate.

The people you meet at the first session are the people who design and deliver your project.

Between us, that’s more than 30 years of architecture and construction experience on your side from day one.

“If we can save a client from spending $50,000 on the wrong idea, that’s worth more than a set of beautiful drawings of this idea”- Gennadi

Meet Gennadi

More than 30 years in architecture and construction, which shows in how he reads a project.

On the first site visit at Walden Residence, he was tapping walls and counting bricks to work out what was structural before a single concept was drawn.

That’s why ArchIdea’s designs tend to get built the way they’re drawn, on budget, without fights over “can we actually do this.”

Meet Ekaterina

Leads design at ArchIdea, with a Master of Architecture from RMIT and full registration as an architect in Victoria.

She’s the one testing whether an idea holds up, on paper and on site, before it goes anywhere near a builder.

Our Projects

Hear from our clients
Personalised kids rooms- 30% Increased home value.

…Archidea team helped us to transform our house for growing teens! We are happy with the quality of the design work and communication. Always willing to listen and make changes when needed to ensure we were satisfied.

They not only crafted personalised rooms for each of our kids but also increased our home’s value by 30% while inviting us on the design journey with them.

Shona, Project Manager, Frankston South
2x More space and light to my living and kitchen in old English brick home.

This renovation has been a game-changer for our family home. Gennadi supported our idea of opening up living and kitchen shoving a deep understanding of our lifestyle, especially with kids.

The flow and openness your team designed have transformed the house and its feel! Our kitchen looks brighter with opened walls, and now it is a favourite spot for our family and friends.

Kye, Firefighter, Mt Eliza

How we are different?

We design product buyers want, not just the maximum number of dwellings the block will legally hold. Good design sells faster and for more. Squeezing in one extra unit rarely does.

We sort out the layout that’s been bothering you for years: the dark room nobody uses, the staircase in the wrong place, the kitchen that doesn’t work, and turn it into space you will actually live in.

We’re not the right fit for everyone. If you’ve already decided exactly what you want and just need someone to draw it up, or if the main question is how cheap or how many more can we fit, we’re probably not your firm. We’re the right fit if you want someone experienced enough to tell you when there’s a better answer, before you’ve spent the money.

Our Process
What we cover in your free strategy session

What we can cover on a free 20 minute strategy session:

  • Talk through your desired project and basic ideas.
  • How to start your project.
  • What should you expect working with us.
  • How you can explore your ideas align with your budget quickly without opting for the full services plan.
  • How to prepare your brief and wishlist for the smooth process and communication.
  • Get an idea of Construction cost vs Project cost setup for your project success.
Insights

Why choose us?

What factors influence the cost of architectural services?2026-03-06T00:52:46+00:00

Architectural services cost influenced by several factors: including project size, complexity, location, and specific services required, contribute to the overall cost.

We provide transparent pricing and detailed cost estimates prior engagement.

How much should I budget for construction?2026-03-06T00:55:30+00:00

A rough guide for Melbourne budget for construction: extensions and renovations typically start from $3,500 per sqm, new homes from $4,000 per sqm, and multi-residential developments vary significantly by site. We discuss realistic construction budgets in our first session so you know what you’re working with before spending a cent on design.

How long is this going to take to get permit?2026-03-06T00:45:50+00:00

Architectural project timelines vary based on the scope and complexity.

We’ll provide a detailed project schedule after the initial consultation, outlining key milestones and expected completion dates.

For example,

If you project is subject to:

  • Planning Permit- 7 months- 1 year (Residential & Commercial)
  • Building Permit- 3 months – 6 months. (Residential & Commercial)

However, depending on the scope of works we will establish realistic timeframes for your project. In this process, a lot of linked to authorities approval and their timeframes.

Do I really need an architect?2026-03-06T01:06:16+00:00

If you’re investing hundreds of thousands… or millions – into your home or a development, the real question is whether you can afford not to have one.

A draftsperson draws what you ask for. An architect asks whether it’s the right thing to ask. We look at how your project performs spatially, structurally and financially before a line is drawn — then design to those outcomes.

Without that layer of oversight, projects tend to cost more in variations, deliver less in livability, and end up worth less on the market. With it, the fee pays for itself many times over.

We’re not just designers. We’re your independent advocate — the one person on the project whose only job is to make sure the outcome is right for you.

 



Can’t my builder just handle the design?2026-03-06T01:21:31+00:00

Some builders offer in-house design as part of their package, and for straightforward projects it can seem like a convenient option. The limitation is that their designs are typically built around their own construction system- which means the floor plan, the facade and the finishes are often adapted from existing templates rather than created for your specific site and lifestyle.

An independent architect starts from scratch every time. We design around your orientation, your views, your brief and your budget -with no commercial relationship with any builder influencing the outcome. That separation tends to produce homes that are more personal, more functional and more valuable.


Get in touch with us to discuss your next project

0425817290
idea@archideagroup.com.au

© Copyright • ArchIdea Group • Powered by WordPress