Services
A brief explanation of services are listed within the tabs although every project is project specific. You might like to reach out for just a floor plan consult and that is totally fine too!
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We provide an architectural and interiors service from the beginning, with a tailored approach to suit your brief. We work on renovations or new build projects in inner city suburbs such as Malvern, Hawthorn East, Albert Park and Middle Park. Reach out if you would like to know more.
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We first start with the basics - client briefings, site visit, a detailed site measure up, a planning overlay summary.
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Utilising all our pre design knowledge, we produce concept floor plans together with a basic 3D massing model of our design and forms, together with an early indication of materials/finishes.
Inspiration and reference images will be provided for a general concept direction.
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Further refinement of the selected concept, 3D model development, with further integration with materials and interior spatials. We work towards providing a more detailed level of floor plans with section and elevation drawings for preparation for planning applications.
Design development (interiors) and further selection of materials will occur after a planning permit has been granted.
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In order to address local council requirements, we will put together a planning application with a planning report for assessment against Residential Code. This process can generally take around 3-6 months, pending complexity of each unique project.
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A full set of drawings, specifications and schedules with consultant coordination will be provided to obtain a building permit.
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We assist with a selection of builders to tender your project, with refinement / value management where required.
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We assist with engaging your preferred builder and organising contracts. Once we get started on site, contract administration is provided to ensure the design is constructed as per the drawings, and also to take the stress out of managing things on site!
Inner city councils such as Port Phillip, Boroondara, Stonnington or many moreDesigning for inner city councils such as Port Phillip, Boroondara or Stonnington
Middle Park and Albert Park are two of Melbourne’s most loved inner city neighbourhoods - and two of it’s most architecturally complex. The streetscapes are defined by Victorian & Edwardian terraces, ornate timber fretwork, and carefully maintained heritage character. They’re beautiful and also tricky to work with.
Homeowners typically face the same challenge: they love where they live, but their home has a dark kitchen and connections to the garden and outdoors are lost. The house has good bones, but needs to do more.
Designing within Port Phillip Council is one of our strong suits, with most houses generally sitting within a Heritage Overlay or a Neighbourhood Character Overlay — sometimes both. Modest alterations including rear extensions and facade changes will require a planning permit and council assessment. Council is generally supportive of well-designed contemporary additions to period homes, provided they respect the existing character of the street and existing building. The key is knowing how to design to that standard from the very beginning and not trying to retrofit if after the fact.
At Sage Architecture Studio, we understand Port Phillip’s planning framework and design expectations. Fewer surprised, smoother permit applications and a design that’s built to be approved, all without compromising on quality or ambition.
Typical planning timeframes in Port Phillip run 3 to 6 months, depending on the complexity of the project and whether any objections are raised. We’ll give you a realistic picture of what to expect before we begin.
Our approach to period home renovations
The homes of Middle Park and Albert Park deserve a particular kind of care. Most heritage homes located across inner city suburbs such as Boroondara or Stonnington are similar. They have rhythm, proportion, and material honesty that's worth preserving. But preservation doesn't mean stagnation.
Our approach is to let the existing home lead — and then introduce something clean, contemporary, and considered at the rear or above. The result is a home that reads as coherent and intentional: the old and the new in genuine conversation, not in conflict.
We work across the full scope of residential architecture and interior design, meaning the detailing you see inside — the joinery, the material palette, the way light moves through a space — is considered with the same rigour as the architecture itself. Nothing is handed off or left to chance.
Starting a project
The best time to engage an architect is earlier than you think — ideally before you've committed to a builder, and in some cases, even before you've committed to a property. Understanding what a site can and can't do, and what council is likely to support, can save significant time and money down the track.
A first conversation with Sage costs nothing and commits you to nothing. We'll talk through your brief, give you an honest read on feasibility, and help you understand what the process looks like from here.
Thinking about a project?
Tell us about your home and let’s start the conversation. Reach out on our contact form to find out more.