To bridge the gap between dream and reality takes more than just detailed architectural plans, craftsmanship and organisation. It is the exploration of ideas that ignites the spark of creativity and imagination between architect and client. An excitement with the process, no matter how small or complex the project, inevitably leads to a concept that’s more than useful and comfortable, it’s inspiring.

For over 6 years, Di Mase Architects has brought this approach to a diverse range of commercial and domestic projects including the Princes Hill Bocce Pavilion, beautiful new homes, numerous domestic refurbishments of Victorian, Federation and Edwardian homes, the transformation of an old mechanics workshop into an organic food hall in Brunswick, and landscape projects.

A celebration of human activity and experience, Di Mase Architects understands good design should be challenging and inspiring, engaging the public while responding to the way people work and live.

At Di Mase Architects, much of what we do is about opportunism and optimism for the future rather than imposing a set idea onto the site. We aim to make the most of each project, reveal the qualities of each site, and create beautiful, environmentally sensitive architecture relevant to people’s lives.

principal Antony Di Mase, BArch

academic
1981-7
University of Melbourne – Bachelor of Architecture
1989
Italian cultural studies + language in Florence

professional
from 1993
Member of Royal Australian Institute of Architects
from 1994
Registered as an Architect in Victoria

awards
Oct 2004
Finalist for ARBV Services Award
This award recognises information and communication, design
process and project and contractual management for the benefit of clients.

database
The practice has an extensive database of materials, finishes and equipment that is continuously expanded to meet the needs of each new project. The practice uses a network of consultants, suppliers, builders and specialist trades people that assist our endeavours, receive advice and achieve the best possible outcome.

committee
2005 RAIA committee looking at ways to streamline the current system of Town Planning especially in the inner
suburbs of Melbourne.

juries
2004 RAIA Architecture Awards
Jury Member – Urban Design Category

staff
Angelique Brett
Pei Wei Lai
Sally Wilcox
plus contract staff on as needed basis

2008 – under construction
New House, East Ivanhoe
Northcote Renovation
Automated Unisex Public Toilet – Cairnlea Reserve

2007
Melba Food Hall West Brunswick
Collingwood Warehouse Refurbishment

2006
Pool + Pool Pavilion
Coburg House Renovation
Gisborne House Renovation
Apartment Refurbishment
Rae Street House Refurbishment
Danny’s Cafe, St Kilda

2005
Kew House Landscape Works
St Kilda House Refurbishment
New House – Mt Martha
Alfred Crescent Refurbishment, Stage 3
Refurbishment – Stefano’s Restaurant Mildura

2004
Seacombe Street Renovation
Freeman Street Renovation
Fairfield House

2003
Ralton Financial Services
Fitout – Middle Park
Alfred Crescent Refurbishment, Stage 2

2002
Bocce Pavilion – Princes Hill for City of Yarra
Rae Street Renovation, Stage 1
Clauscen Street Renovation, Stage 2

2001
Clauscen Street Renovation, Stage 1
Alfred Crescent Refurbishment,
Stage 1

2000
2 Houses – Cape Schanck
Alfred Crescent Landscape Works
Abbotsford House Refurbishment
St Kilda Refurbishment
Middle Park Refurbishment
Studio Warehouse – Hepburn Springs

Good design depends on understanding clients’ needs and site conditions. The process of design involves working form the broad issues through to the details and finally seeing the project realised on site. Each projects and client is different and as such, services are tailored to suit each project. This is a general guide to the range of services we offer to clients.

schematic design
To create an overall design approach that responds to the client’s brief and site conditions. The aim is to consider planning issues such as circulation, orientation and spatial requirements.

detail design
To ensure that the detail aspects will contribute to the overall idea for the project. To consider issues such colour, materials, finishes, lighting, heating and cooling methods, etc.

contract documentation
The purpose of this stage is to prepare technical drawings for building approval, tender and construction issue. To provide a set of drawings and specifications from which a builder can provide a price an time frame to complete the project.

contract administration
To administer the project in accordance to contract. To act as client’s agent on site, answer questions, certify progress claims and comment on quality and time. The aim is to ensure that the project design is realised in accordance with the design drawings.

Extracts From Testimonials
“Antony is a positive and attentive professional who takes care in understanding his client’s needs, both in design and budget!”
Geoffrey Moyle, Cost Planner
Construction Planning + Economics

“In choosing an architect it was important for us to be comfortable that the person possessed a rare combination of qualities- creativity, pragmatism in the execution of the design, and a sound ability to manage the outcome. Our faith in Antony Di Mase was well placed.”
Freeman Street Client

Extracts From Reviews
“The beauty of Antony Di Mase’s work lies in its deceptive simplicity. This project is not heroic in scale, but it does tell a tale of intricate details, woven by an architect who understands the old ”less is more” maxim. As Antony says, it is not a house that shouts at you. It doesn’t need to.”
Christopher Moore, Houses Magazine, Issue 37

“This small Bocce Pavilion offers a comfortable ”no fuss” place for the community. It can be appreciated as a crafted object in the landscape of the linear park. It looks well from a distance and functions on a practical level. It has real presence and creates
a sense of place. For the community it raises the issue of contemporary architecture in relation to heritage, challenging the prescriptive “neighbourhood character” planning regulations and introducing a new language of regulations and introducing a new language of architecture in a non-confronting way. It is only by inserting such beautifully designed and detailed buildings into the public realm that attitudes to contemporary architecture will change.”
Dr Ursula De Jong, Architecture Australia, Jan/Feb 2003 – review of Bocce Pavilion

Our practice is committed to the renewal, renovation and refurbishment of the existing built environment and existing infrastructure as a way to limit the unsustainable expansion of our cities.

From its inception, our practice has a history of revitalising existing buildings, spaces and infrastructure through creative and adaptive re-use.

We actively seek to limit the extent of new building work and to make the best use of existing spaces, materials and services. We strive to create an architecture that is durable and uncomplicated – buildings that will serve the needs of existing clients and community expectations as well as serve future generations of users and owners.

In addition to pursuing these specific aims and ideals in each of our architectural projects, we also try to minimise the potential harmful environmental impacts which inevitably arise from running practice.

We are committed to continuous improvement in environmental performance and the prevention of harmful environmental effects within the practice.

We also see it as our responsibility to inform clients, suppliers and builders to make choices that will improve environmental performance and the prevention of harmful effects to the environment.

In the practice of architecture, we will:
1. Set environmental regulations, laws and codes of practice (such as 5 star energy rating) as the minimum standard of environmental performance.

2. Limit the extent of new building work and wherever practical – make use of existing building fabric, materials and services.

3. Continue to design buildings that use passive methods of heating and cooling and to limit the extent of large plant equipment such as air-conditioning etc.

4. Commit the office to learning new technology that reduces our environment impact – especially active systems such as grey water solar hot water etc.

5. Always make clients aware of “green” options – such as solar hot water systems, grey water systems etc.

6. Make clients aware of the source of any material / selection and any negative impacts for using that material / selection – and offer a local choice if available offer the options of environmental friendly products to our clients.

7. Encourage the use of builders, sub-contractors and suppliers who offer environmental friendly methods of construction and material supply.