We provide professional architectural services to our clients.

Our practice is based in Fitzroy North and we work on projects throughout Melbourne and Victoria. Our portfolio includes residential, educational and commercial projects.

The heart of our work lies in creating expressive, effective and sustainable buildings.

We focus on energy efficiency, environmental impact and thermal comfort. We invest time and careful thought into determining the fabric of the building and have extensive experience in passive solar design principles, including Passive House.

The result? Buildings that are more comfortable, use fewer resources and that are designed to last.

But we also create buildings that celebrate everyday experiences. We explore the composition of the structure and craft our details, forms and spaces around how things are made. Through the intelligent use of daylight design, we bring natural light, nature and views into the work we do. Our spaces are congenial, simply organised and robust. In our view, this offers clients the greatest flexibility to make the spaces their own and to adapt them to suit their lifestyle and changing needs. It also, not coincidentally, results in spaces that are a joy to use and live in.

Underpinning all our work is the idea that architecture lives in the soul of the spaces that we create—it resides in the memory and feeling of places we want to create for you.

In 2019, our project work will be a collaboration between Niea Nadya – link to podcast and CV, Tess Sokolowski and Antony DiMase – link to CV.

“Architecture creates places where we slow down and enjoy the place in which we find ourselves. For me a key feature of good architecture is that time slows down in great buildings and spaces. There is a timelessness about the work no matter the era that the architecture was created. I prefer genuine architecture – based on craft and good design to the junk architecture that pervades much of our cities. I believe in designing buildings to endure – to be here for 100 years at least. I believe in building simple spaces that enable a multitude of uses over time. Stay true to the fundamentals of light, air and the honest expression of materials and architectural form.” – Antony DiMase

Simply put, we aim to build relationships with key people to deliver the objectives of the design brief.

From the outset, we value listening to and comprehending our clients’ needs. We enjoy the exchange of ideas and viewpoints, and very much understand that great results rely on a mutual understanding of the project. We’ll discuss how we can achieve your aspirations while incorporating design considerations of the site and considering any likely regulatory implications.

Every building process is subject to compliance requirements, from town planning applications, to sustainability certification and building permits. The best way to negotiate all these is to have a sound knowledge of the regulations and to consult as early and as broadly as practical. The relevant regulatory bodies appreciate the professionalism and rigour we bring to navigating the approvals process, to ensure our clients’ interests are not compromised.

Our experience across a broad range of projects means we can often anticipate issues. We lead the design and build process, keeping our clients in close touch with progress while working directly with external parties to keep projects moving forward.
Throughout the design and building process ongoing and proactive communication is crucial. We see the process as being a dynamic one – and we stay ahead of the curve by actively coordinating the flow of information between us, the clients and other key stakeholders.

Our process creates beautiful projects and satisfied clients, like these – click here to visit our PROJECT page.

In essence, we open our doors and our practice to the community in ways that make architecture accessible to people. We do this through our projects, exhibitions and activism.

Our core services are aligned with the AIA Client Architect Agreement for Professional Services, which defines a well-proven client-architect relationship. This provides our clients with an independent reference framework for their project and ensures that we deliver architectural services based on industry standards and pricing.

Our architectural services include:
1. Concept Design
2. Detail Design
3. Town Planning Applications
4. Contract Documentation
5. Contract Negotiations
6. Contract Administration Services

These six milestone stages take a project from an idea to a design concept through to a completed project.

Before starting the design process, we will engage in a pre-design service to look at high-level considerations for any project. We will consider budget, planning issues and the overall concept to ensure each commission can be realised.

Beyond our architectural team at DiMase Architects we use the services of specialist consultants (such as building surveyors and structural engineers) for each project. Our preferred consultants have long been part of our extended team and they provide independent advice based on the needs of each project.

Our relationships with each client’s builders are impartial, professional and diligent. The building contract is a separate one, between the client and the builder, and our role is to inspire and set a high standard for how the contract will run. We have excellent processes in place to effectively manage the building process, always with a view to ensuring the best outcomes for the client.

Our fees for the first four stages are calculated as a percentage of the construction cost. The construction cost is estimated by a professional Cost Planner at the end of stages one and two. Our fee for stages five and six is based on the time needed to complete the project. Before we begin we put in place a clear client-architect agreement to ensure that our clients agree and understand the basis of our engagement.

Professional. Transparent. Clear. In our view, that’s the only way to achieve results.

“For us, the best projects are a collaboration between people. This means listening, engaging and developing ideas from conversations and meaningful discussions.“ – Antony DiMase

We are thrilled when the architecture media take time to appreciate about our work. It is not the reason we do what we do – but it is rewarding to earn the recognition of our peers and colleagues. Here is a sample of some of our favourite recent quotes that best sum up our approach to design.

“The campaign asks architects to act as citizens as well as consultants. It reminds us that sustainability goes beyond design, changes to lifestyle and technological advances.” – Judges Comments, Our City Our Square Campaign – 2018

“What is apparent when visiting this project is the feel of light and air. There is a beautiful qualitative sense to the spaces…” – Inside Magazine Issue 95, by Clare Kennedy – 2017

“Donna and Michael are very pleased with the finished house, which also functions as an office for both of them when they are not overseas for their work. “It’s a very easy house to live in – the spaces work well,” says Donna. “I was concerned that it would still be a very small house, but it actually feels quite spacious because of all the light and the high ceilings.” It works well thermally too; the couple says that the downstairs stays cool through the hot days of summer, aided by good cross ventilation and night purging of warm air.” – Sanctuary Magazine Issue 44, by Anna Cumming – 2017

“John and Kate sought to retain the industrial character of the warehouse, which has had several past factory-based lives while making it a comfortable and energy-efficient ‘machine for living in’. For Architect Antony DiMase, one of the real achievements of the project is that though it followed the Passive House approach, “it’s not engineer-driven, which many Passive Houses can be – it’s architecturally pleasing.” – Sanctuary Magazine Issue 34 by Verity Campbell – 2014

“I have known Antony for over 30 years when we studied architecture at Melbourne University in the 1980s. Our paths have gone in different directions however we maintained our friendship as our interests in architecture overlap. There are four aspects of Antony’s career that stand out to me. Firstly, Antony has instilled in his Fitzroy North architectural practice the foundation of professional services and contributed to making a better environment through his projects. Secondly, his urban activism and advocacy against Apple at Federation Square and supporting Architects Declare demonstrate a capacity and resilience to grapple with big urban issues that affect us all. Thirdly, Antony’s initiative to run a gallery as part of his practice extends a collaboration between architecture and the art world. Its success has grown over the past 5 years and is an innovation we rarely see in architectural practices. Finally, Antony’s interest in (day)lighting, technology and sustainability is substantiated by his Master’s research and continues through his podcast with Jackson Stigwood. Each of these aspects illustrates Antony’s capacity to extend architecture into a broader public sphere and to communicate complex issues in articulate, clear and effective ways. Antony’s good-natured personality means that he is a good listener, and his broad expertise and experience provide him with the tools to solve difficult architectural problems with ease and enthusiasm.” – Professor Mirjana Lozanovska