I recently had the privilege of not only a great design by DiMase Architects, but also a very positive architectural experience. Great project management guys! In what was a challenging design (that I specified) your clear communication kept me realistic (& managed my, at times unrealistic, expectations!!)
We have used DiMase Architects twice in the last two years, once to rework our rear open plan kitchen/living room, including an entirely new kitchen and alterations to doors and windows, and second to design a rear pergola as part of a garden renovation.
In both cases, especially the kitchen, we had pretty firm ideas about what we wanted, and Antony and Niea worked collaboratively with us to incorporate and improve our thinking. Antony recommended a terrific cabinet maker for the kitchen and the end result is of the highest standard within our budget.
We are ecstatic with the end result, particularly with the kitchen (the biggest part of the total project). We are keen cooks and just love using the new space. Doing the pergola came with some over-the-top requirements in terms of building permits which Niea in particular helped us negotiate without too much hassle. As the weather warms up we are loving that too.
DiMase knows about the realities of working with older homes in Melbourne’s inner north and are experts at getting the most out of them within the various constraints they impose.
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’.
“Without doubt, the house we now have is a great place to live in. Looking out onto the park is a great pleasure, with a view that constantly changes with the season and the house sits within the park without intruding onto the park.”
“When I approached Antony and his team to design a house for the block of land, he asked the usual question: what was I looking for? I gave him three answers: the first was the rather opaque request to build a house that suited our needs; the second was to make the most of the perspective onto the park while respecting the users of the park; and the third was to build an energy efficient house.
However, it was only after living through the design and build that I realised how much the request for an energy efficient house sat in tension with the other two requests. Much of the commentary and background knowledge around energy efficient houses relates to technical aspects of energy efficiency in cold climates. Thus to ask for large windows to overlook a park in a warm climate creates different design problems to those encountered in cold climates. It is a credit to the DiMase Architects team that they could work with the opaque request to build a house that suited our needs, the lived experience is of a comfortable house that is enjoyable to live in!” – Owner and Client
Antony was extremely knowledgeable, helpful and very responsive. He has a thorough understanding of the planning requirements relating to renovating. I would recommend Antony for any architectural requirements.
DiMase Architects gave us excellent advice and designed a great deck solution for our backyard. The team respected and enhanced our existing property, listening to our needs and delivering thinking beyond our expectations.
Our energy bills are roughly half of previous. Artificial augmentation of heating and cooling has been minimal so far – though we’re in that autumn period where it’s neither super hot or cold.
Nonetheless, the retention of masonry and the thermal mass it provides + the double glazing and insulation means that the interior temperature is very stable. We are very glad we got into the house when we did – things went pear-shaped in the world not long after, and working from home here is a pleasure whereas we’d have been going stark staring mad in the original house or the rental.
A number of friends came to look at the place – all of them have commented that they can see the hand of an architect in it (and said in a positive way!). It’s exceeded our expectations all around. Once we’ve been in for a full year and seen the way it works through the seasons I’ll no doubt appreciate it even more, but the view lines and alignment of windows and the way light comes through is fantastic. The yellow feature wall works really well – it adds a golden cast to the light as the sun comes through. Alas a photo doesn’t do it justice.
Visitors have been interested in the modernist colour scheme & in the use of low-maintenance surfaces. The lack of grout has had many who clean those surfaces regularly waxing lyrical (me being one of them – it seems impossible to clean grout properly without eventually destroying it).
We’ve ended up repurposing the rain garden as a herb garden by just leaving enough rocks in it to stop soil washing away when a deluge comes. We’ve also been using it for vermiculture by embedding a couple of in-ground worm-farms in it so we can do on-site composting. Between the two we’ve got a wide variety of herbs growing successfully where we couldn’t before. Worms seem to be much better than just adding fertilizer. I mention the rain garden and our use for it because it’s not something we would have had unless Yarra had insisted, but it’s actually been a positive, so that experience might be useful to other of your clients. So – we’re all well and happy to be home at this end.
I recently had the pleasure of working with DiMase Architects on a town planning application, and I am delighted to share my positive experience.
From start to finish, DiMase Architects demonstrated a level of professionalism, expertise, and dedication that truly exceeded my expectations.
Antony and Neia not only possess an impressive understanding of architectural design but also have an in-depth knowledge of the intricacies involved in town planning. Their ability to navigate the complex regulations and guidelines set by local authorities made the entire process much smoother than I anticipated.
One of the standout qualities of working with DiMase Architects was their excellent communication skills. They kept me informed at every stage of the planning process, providing clear explanations and updates. This transparent and proactive approach not only reassured me but also fostered a sense of trust and confidence in their capabilities.
Moreover, Antony exhibited a keen attention to detail, ensuring that the town planning application was thorough and well-prepared. Their meticulousness not only streamlined the approval process but also reflected positively on the overall quality of the application.
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
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.
