Homes

your home is the backdrop to your most important moments as a family.

It enriches those moments in such a powerful way.

Homes

Design a family home that truly fits you

As a Building Design and mother of two, I know how the smallest design decisions impact our daily lives.

Your home should be the centre-point that your family can return to time and time again. It should feel like a sanctuary where you can feel nourished, restored and connected.

Are you ready to take the first step in designing your family’s dream home?

Book your free 30-minute consult

Services

I can support your family with the following services

New Build

Building a new house. This can be done on your vacant block of land, or can involve the demolition of an existing property.

Extension

Double and single storey extensions to an existing home.

Interior Renovation

Reconfiguring/redesigning internal spaces in your existing property. This could include designing and fitting-out a new bathroom, kitchen etc.

Town House Development

Designing and building town-houses on an existing block of land, suitable for dual occupancy. This can include the demolition of the existing property.

The first chapter

Building or renovating your family home can feel like a big undertaking.

With a project of this size it can be tough to know where to start. And with a lot of time and money on the table, I know the stakes feel high.

  • You want to make the right call.
  • You want to feel clear about the process.
  • You want to feel confident that you’re working with a building designer who can get you to that end result you keep playing over in your mind.

You know you’re looking for a home that feels like it was truly made for your family and that can grow with you for the years to come.

But as for how you’re going to get to that outcome, you feel overwhelmed just thinking about it - after all, that’s why you want to hire an expert in the first place!

I’ve seen too many people in this exact position who make the decision to dive into their design journey before they’ve really got the foundations in place.

They jump into action - which sounds great at first - unfortunately it’s the wrong action.

Diving into the design process without a strategic plan established with an experienced building designer by your side, is a little like trying to run before you’ve learnt how to walk.

It means that you’re making a significant investment before you’ve had someone genuinely assess what you need in your family home… making it way more likely you’ll end up a one-size-fits-all approach that your family quickly outgrows.

It means you’re essentially ‘designing blind’ because all your available options haven’t been canvassed from the beginning... greatly increasing your chances of having to make substantial and costly changes to your design documentation once your project is already well underway.

And it means that you’re making a long-term commitment of your time and your money when you’re not 100% certain that your ideal outcome can be achieved within your budget and timeframe… leaving you open to unexpected costs and project blow-outs..

In every case, a lack of strategic planning upfront means there’s going to be a mismatch between your expectations and your result. Making it more expensive and time-consuming than you originally wanted.

Step 2: Design

WE WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP YOUR CONCEPT DESIGN.

I consider both function and aesthetics as I create detailed structural and interior designs.

I’ll engage external consultants to interpret the design as required, such as an energy assessor, to ensure it is compliant to relevant building regulations.

I’ll obtain quotes to ensure our concept aligns with your budget. In applicable cases, I’ll coordinate an application for town planning, so your design can be approved as quickly and economically as possible.

I’ll also be making interior design choices and selecting exterior and interior materials, guided by your intention for the look and feel of the space.

Here’s what the process looks like

Step 1: Dream

We work together to strategise and understand what you're after.

Unlike building designers who dive straight into the concept development stage, I’m very intentional about starting with strategy first and understanding how you want your home to function, look and feel.  

We kick off with a collaborative consultation process that is all about considering how your family will be using the space now and in the future.

I ask you questions that help you articulate your preferences, needs and priorities in ways you may not have even considered. This means we can then canvass all your potential design options upfront, so you can confidently understand how your vision can be achieved, within the budget and timeframe you have available.

We do this through my signature service; The Soulful Building Design Strategy. This is a prerequisite to any home renovation or build project.

How The Soulful Building Design Strategy Works

Step 1: Dream

WE WORK TOGETHER TO UNDERSTAND WHAT’S MOST IMPORTANT FOR YOU IN YOUR HOME.

It starts with knowing how you want your space to feel, knowing who will be using it and how they’ll be using it.

I’ll be asking you questions that will help you articulate your preferences, needs and priorities in ways you might not have even considered.

From there, I’m able to distill it down into a design concept that is tailored to exactly how you need your space to function, both now and into the future. This is so your home is able to grow with you and stay flexible to your changing needs over time.

At this stage of the process, we’re coming up with a rock-solid design brief. I'll develop design sketches, obtain quotes and finalise creative concepts, aligned with your time-frame and budget.

Step 2: Design

With your Soulful Building Design Strategy complete, we’re ready to finalise a rock-solid design brief.

I'll develop design sketches and finalise creative concepts, aligned with your time-frame and budget.

From there, I’ll create detailed structural designs that consider function and aesthetics. I’ll engage external consultants to interpret the design as required, such as an energy assessor, to ensure it is compliant to relevant building regulations. I’ll continue to obtain quotes, with your budget top of mind.

In applicable cases, I’ll coordinate an application for town planning, so your design can be approved as quickly and economically as possible.

I’ll also be making interior design choices and selecting exterior and interior materials, guided by your intention for the look and feel of the space.

Step 2: Design

WE WORK TOGETHER TO DEVELOP YOUR CONCEPT DESIGN.

I consider both function and aesthetics as I create detailed structural and interior designs.

I’ll engage external consultants to interpret the design as required, such as an energy assessor, to ensure it is compliant to relevant building regulations.

I’ll obtain quotes to ensure our concept aligns with your budget. In applicable cases, I’ll coordinate an application for town planning, so your design can be approved as quickly and economically as possible.

I’ll also be making interior design choices and selecting exterior and interior materials, guided by your intention for the look and feel of the space.

Step 3: Create

We work together to bring your building and interior design to life.

If you were managing the design and build execution yourself, it could easily become stressful…but with me by your side, you get rest easy! I’ll bring your design documentation to life, without any overwhelm on your part.

At this stage of the project, I’ll make any necessary changes in line with town planning approvals and other compliance regulations. I’ll be developing the final design detail so that we can secure a building permit and pass on the plans to your builder.

I’ll be liaising with external consultants like structural engineers, heating/cooling consultants and energy assessors. I’ll also be making the final choices for internal materials, appliances, fixtures and flooring.

This is where my attention to detail thrives - I keep a finger on the pulse of the overarching project, but I also dive into the details of execution and collaboration (so you don’t have to).

Step 3: Create

WE WORK TOGETHER TO BRING YOUR BUILDING AND INTERIOR DESIGN TO LIFE.

Managing the design and build execution yourself is the most stressful part of the process. But that’s exactly why you engaged me - so that you can rest easy in this part, trusting that your vision is in safe hands.

At this stage of the project, I’ll make any necessary changes in line with town planning approvals and other compliance regulations. I’ll be developing the final design detail so that we can secure a building permit and pass on the plans to your builder.

I’ll be liaising with external consultants like structural engineers, heating/cooling consultants and energy assessors. I’ll also be making the final choices for internal materials, appliances, fixtures and flooring.

This is where my attention to detail thrives - I keep a finger on the pulse of the overarching project, but I also dive into the details of execution and collaboration (so you don’t have to).

Discovery + Strategy

The HOME Design Strategy

I want you to have a better option - the chance to consult with your Building Designer BEFORE you invest in a full project.

The Home Design Strategy combines intuitive, personalised consultation with an extensive analysis of your needs and your options. In short, it's my 1:1 custom consultation service that’s equal parts discovery and strategy.

Any full design and build project, is going to require you to say yes to a 10+ month design commitment and a sizeable financial outlay. This service comes at a FRACTION of the price and takes no more than 4 weeks from start to finish!

Included:

A 1:1 Two-Hour Consultation

  • During our 2-hour consultation, I’ll guide you through a series of curated questions. We’ll clarify your vision for your home and the kind of functionality and aesthetics you’ll need to consider for your project.

AN EXTENSIVE, CUSTOM STRATEGY

  • A ‘Soulful Home’ Mood Board - Representing your needs, values and lifestyle we want to serve through your design.
  • A Planning & Building Compliance Report - Demystifying the planning & building requirements specific to your home.
  • Design Options - An outline of the potential design options available within the parameters of your sites Planning and Building requirements.
  • An Action Plan - Breaking down the design process, timing, the team of specialists consultants that you’ll need to engage.
  • A Proposal - To move forward with your full design project.
Book a call

Connections

"Emily is an approachable person with genuine passion in helping families achieve their dream space.

She was attentive with a great eye for detail in meeting the briefs provided by my wife and I (even our kids). She managed to integrate all of our ideas and requirements into a harmonious living dream that will last generations.

Emily was focused and motivated; she was often ahead in schedule, was always there to advise and act on any ad-hoc requests, and kept us informed of major updates. With her help, we managed to secure a town planning permit in record time for a heritage home. Emily sent voicemails regularly on top of email communication which was a very nice personal touch and a great break from reading emails.

Emily was sensitive and well-informed on new products in the building industry and her ability to offer creative solutions to suit our living habits and culture was second to none.

Emily is a golden find and we couldn't be happier with our dream home!

Mr L. Tan & Mrs S. Chen

Book a call

Are you ready to create a home that really fits your family?

Book your free 30-minute consultation call with me.

Take the first step towards your dream home

i.Balter Design is based in Melbourne, Australia.

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