Architectural Process

With our director’s 19 years of experience, we create thoughtfully designed homes that reflect your vision.

We follow this structured seven stage process that ensures clarity and support from start to finish.

Our Design & Project Stages

00 Initial Enquiry & Consultation

A friendly discussion about goals, budget, and site.

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01 Concept Design

Preliminary sketches exploring the possibilities of the site and the general organisation of buildings

02 Design Development & Passive House Planning

3D models, material selection, and technical adjustments based on your feedback.

Incorporates input of consultants for engineering, interiors, geotech, QS, energy, land & building surveying, etc.

Includes Passive House Planning Package & Design Analysis for energy efficiency and sustainability.

03 Planning Permits & Compliance

Finalized drawings and application documents prepared for council approvals and compliance.

Includes regulatory compliance information and the work of necessary consultants.

04 Construction Documentation

Detailed drawings and written specifications of your project’s scope and quality.

This forms the basis of construction contracts & building permit compliance.

Includes dimensioned drawings showing construction methodologies and connections.

It includes specific details of your chosen suppliers, finishes and inclusions.

05 Procurement & Contractor Selection

Pricing of Selected works, Tendering Process and Contract Negotiations.

Appointment of a registered and insured building contractor and obtaining building and other permits.

06 Contract Administration

We administer the contract independently as your experienced agent.

We organise and attend regular site meetings with you and the contractor.

We issue meeting minutes and instructions.

We seek and assess quotes for variations.

We assess claims for variations to time, scope and cost in the contract.

We review progress against the contract inclusions and certify stage payments and retention amounts.

07 Completion and Passive house Certification

We assist in the preparation of snag lists.

We certify when works and retention periods are completed and funds can be released.

After airtightness testing we arrange the Passive House Certification of your completed project.

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Regions we serve

Sunpath proudly design from our studio in the inner- Melbourne seaside suburb of Albert Park, Victoria on Bunurong lands.

We focus exclusively on projects within Victoria, ensuring top-quality service while minimizing our carbon footprint.

Let’s chat! Every project starts with a friendly conversation—preferably over coffee or lunch—to understand your site and vision.

Project Costs and Fees

Transparent Pricing, Tailored Design

Custom architectural homes cost more than standard builds, reflecting superior materials, quality, and unique craftsmanship.

Many of our projects involve specialized site conditions and sustainability requirements.

Passive House projects require added investment in airtightness, insulation, ventilation, and glazing.

Construction costs vary based on size, complexity, and material choices.

Our architects design efficient, space-conscious homes to optimize value and functionality.

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Typical Costs:
$5,000 – $8,000 per sqm + GST (as of recent market conditions)

Example: A Passive House project before COVID was completed for $800,000 + GST. During Covid similar projects increased to $1million plus.

How We Calculate Fees:

We provide full architectural services based on a percentage of construction cost.

Fees adjust as the project progresses and costs are finalized.

Monthly invoicing aligns with each design stage, ensuring clear financial expectations.

Why Percentage-Based Fees?
Transparent – Fees scale with construction costs, making financial planning easier.

Flexible – Adapts to scope changes without renegotiating fees constantly.

Industry Standard – A trusted model ensuring fair and clear compensation.

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