About Us

Design for Place is a Newcastle-based residential design studio with a clear focus on sustainable, site-responsive homes that feel as good to live in as they look. We work closely with you from first ideas through to detailed documentation—shaping smart, practical layouts, refining materials and performance, and preparing everything needed for your builder and Council, including submissions and approvals. The result is a home that’s tailored to your lifestyle, grounded in its surroundings, and designed for long-term comfort and efficiency.

Process wheel Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Step 7

Step 1

Concept / Sketch Design

  • Site opportunities and constraints
  • Client brief
  • 3D building form, floor plan of building areas, landscape
  • Site measure, feasibility
  • Step 2

    Developed Design

  • Further resolved, improved design
  • Including glazing, material selection
  • Door and window positions
  • Step 3

    Detailed Design (DA)

  • Drawing set suitable for DA submission and approval
  • Building height, permissible building envelope, materials selection
  • Further refinement of design
  • Step 4

    Construction Documentation

  • CC set suitable for approval and costing for a builder
  • Highly technical documentation package
  • Coordinated with structural, services & engineering
  • Includes shadow diagrams, storey heights, measurements, key notes
  • Step 5

    Tender Process / Builder Evaluation

  • Assist the client in understanding and selecting a suitable builder
  • Depending on the required level of service this can include:
    • Selection of contract
    • Tender clarification
    • Tender evaluation
    • Assistance with cost planning
  • Step 6

    Building Works / Contract Administration

  • Ensure the project is properly built in accordance with the drawings and in line with the building contract
  • Site inspections ensure progress is being met
  • Builder claims reviewed and approved
  • Change variations, substitutions, requests for information
  • Step 7

    Handover / Occupancy Certificate

  • Finish and completion of the team
  • Tabbed Image Gallery

    Our Projects

    Commercial
    Commercial
    Commercial
    Commercial
    Commercial
    Commercial
    Commercial
    Commercial