We are an architectural practice that provides professional architectural services to our clients. We are based in Fitzroy North and our projects are located in and around Melbourne and regional Victoria. Our portfolio includes single residential, educational and commercial projects.
Our focus is to create buildings that are energy efficient and thermally comfortable to its users. We have experience in both passive solar design principles and Passive House. We promote sustainable architecture to minimise our impact on the environment. For us this means investing time and consideration into the fabric of the building. By so doing, the energy efficiency of the building is integral to the architecture. We believe in creating projects that require less resources throughout the life of the building. For us this means investigating the intelligent use of daylight design, insulation and selecting materials that are durable for the life of the project.
The architecture of the practice is based on crafting buildings that celebrate everyday experiences. We delve in to the making of buildings and craft our details, forms and spaces around how things are made. We think about how to make our buildings last a long time and to bring natural light, nature and views to the horizon into the work we do. Our spaces are simply organised and robust. We believe this offers our clients the greatest flexibility to make the spaces their own and to adapt spaces to suit their lifestyle and needs. Underpinning 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 collaborative effort between Antony DiMase, Niea Nadya, Tess Sokolowski as well as additional staff as the need arises.
Niea Nadya – Project Draftsperson
Niea has been with DiMase Architects for about 10 years. Niea’s strength has been her ability to communicate through drawings and utilises Computer Aided Design to maximum effect. All of our design work is modelled in Vectorworks and this becomes the basis for communicating our design intent throughout the design process. Niea has been integral to the development of the design and documentation packages that we have created at our studio.
Tess Sokolowski – Studio Assistant
Tess joined the practice this year, she is currently undertaking a Master of Architecture degree at Monash University. She has a background in Fine Arts completing her degree at the Victorian College of the Arts. Tess plays an important behind the scenes role of business development and social media.
Antony DiMase – Practice Director
Antony is a registered practising architect whose main role at DiMase Architects is to ensure the practice delivers projects that meets the needs of our clients. Antony is interested in Sustainability and Daylight Design as a way to supplement the content of the architecture projects of the practice. Antony is an avid reader, podcast listener, footy supporter and has been involved in the Our City Our Square campaign to prevent the demolition of the Yarra Building at Federation Square.
Our aim throughout the design process is to maintain relationships with key people and deliver projects that meet the objectives of the design brief. Our experience across a broad range of projects means we can often anticipate issues in advance. We play a leadership role in the design and build process, keeping our clients in close touch with progress while working closely with external parties to keep projects moving forward.
From the outset, we value listening to and understanding our clients’ needs. When we share a mutual understanding of the project, the chances of a great result are improved. We’ll discuss how we can achieve your aspirations while incorporating design considerations of the site and understanding any likely regulatory implications.
The building process is subject to compliance requirements, from town planning applications, sustainability and building permits. The best way to negotiate all these is to have a good understanding of the regulations and to consult early and as broadly as practical. We always deal with the regulatory bodies on a professional level while navigating the approvals process to ensure our clients’ interests are not compromised.
Throughout the design process we communicate with key stakeholders. We prefer to be proactive and set the agenda with our clients and ensure they know the status of their project. We see the process as being a dynamic one – and we stay ahead of the curve by making sure we communicate, and coordinate the flow of information between key stakeholders.
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 a reference framework for their project and ensure that we deliver architectural services based on industry standards and pricing.
Our core architectural services include: – Concept Design, Detail Design, Town Planning Applications, Contract Documentation, Contract Negotiations and Contract Administration Services.
These 6 milestone stages take a project from an idea to a design concept through 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 high level design considerations to ensure each commission can be realised.
Our fees for first four stages are calculated as a percentage of the Construction Cost. the Construction Cost is estimated by a Cost Planner at the end of Concept Design and Detail Design stages. Our fee for stages 5 and 6 are based on the time needed to complete the project. We put in place a clear client-architect agreement before commencing our services to ensure that our clients agree and understand the basis of our engagement before we start work.
Outside of our architectural team at DiMase Architects we utilise the services of consultants for each project. Our preferred consultants have been part of our extended team and they provide specialist independent advice based on the needs of each project. As each project is different we determine which consultants will be needed for each project. We generally provide 2 options for each consultant as well as providing our opinion to make the right decision based on the needs of the project.
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 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
