SG2 architects + interiors

To those considering engaging the services of an architect on their next residential or commercial project, I would strongly urge they consider contacting SG2 Design. When working with Sebastiano I found him wanting for nothing with respect to fulfilling a clients expectations. It is important for any designer to fully understand the requirements of the client brief, to work constructively with them and communicate well throughout the process. These are qualities that Sebastiano excels in and the body of his built work to date is testament to the success of his practice.

Sebastian is a creative, responsive and efficient architect who listened, advised and then draw-up plans for the renovation of our Californian Bungalow home. During the process he was always available, responding quickly to our ideas, adopting or adapting them as needed. Through his no-fuss, practical but stylish approach we ended up with a much better outcome with the renovation. On top of it all, his services were good value and paid back in spades.

We engaged SG2 (Seb) after discussing our needs with 3 other architects. Our decision to engage Seb was based on the flexibility of process, and cost, that he could provide. Our situation was a little different in that our project was for a new home in Penguin, Tasmania, but we live in Melbourne. Seb was happy to work with the land details and photos we could provide, to formulate a design to suit our requirements and needs. We came away from each meeting knowing that we had been listened to. We were thrilled and completely impressed with the unique and functional design he came up with. Our budget did not allow us to engage Seb for the complete project but with queries that have arisen during construction, he has not hesitated to provide us with some guidance and suggestions. This is not something he need have done and we attribute it to his customer focused approach. In closing, we found Seb to be knowledgeable, easy to work and communicate with. Any deadlines he set were met and work completed in accordance with the cost structure set. Our involvement with Seb has been such that we wish to compliment him by completing our home, true to his design. Steve & Lucy

When embarking on a relatively large home renovation project, achieving the right vision while keeping on top of all of the necessary budgeting, planning, permits and processes can be very daunting. It certainly was for us and that is why we found the support, services and guidance offered by Sebastiano at SG2 such a God send. We have found him to be one of the most professional and easy to work with people we have had the pleasure to meet -it also helps that he is a genuinely nice bloke overall. Over the past year Sebastiano has helped us refine our rough early plans into something actually doable within a realistic budget. We highly recommend Sebastiano's services to anyone who seeks a capable architect to partner with on their build project. A & S Nambiar

I am a structural engineer and have been working with Sebastiano on a number of projects of which I have found it to be a pleasurable experience. As an architect, he pays alot of attention to detail in order to ensure his clients objectives are met. He is also willing to take on advice from the engineer in order to deliver the most cost effective structure, without comprimising the original design intent. I highly recommend Sebastiano for your next project! Regards, Con Divitaris DCG - Structural and Civil Engineers

I engaged Sebastiano from SG2 to design a renovation of our tired and poorly built California 3-bedroom bungalow in West Footscray. I also employed him to administer the contract with our builder. The house required considerable rebuilding. It'd been poorly built and maintained and it was way beyond just reblocking and replastering, so there was an opportunity for extensive modification of the interior. (It turned out the house was in considerably worse shape than the builder originally thought, and in the end essentially only the facade and some of the original roof trussing remained from the original.) I explicitly wanted the design to be more of an update and modernisation of the interior spaces than a large exterior statement. I briefed Sebastiano to: * plan a single level house within the existing footprint that maintained, as much as possible, the original exterior appearance & proportions (I didn't want the house to have an addition visible from the street) * create more useable space, including much more cupboard space, while more or less following the existing floor plan (ie, retaining 3 BRs or 2 BRs & study) in the front half of the house * open up the rear part of the house to more light and the garden while accommodating an old magnolia tree that was growing over the rear of the house * create a long, open kitchen space combined with a "European style" laundry * incorporate DG windows, insulation of all exterior & interior walls, and hydronic heating * develop a plan that wouldn't require extensive planning permissions &c from the local council. We met several times at my house to discuss the brief. Sebastiano took measurements &c, and I supplied him with some roughly drawn provisional plans. Within a few days of our first meeting, Sebastian had spoken with Council about planning issues around the proposed plans and came back to me with provisional drawings which, with only a few adjustments over the next few weeks, not only fulfilled but exceeded the brief. This part of the renovation process took only a couple of months and any delays were a result of my procrastination than anything Sebastiano did. He took care of all permits, negotiations with engineers &c, to an extent that I hadn't expected, which was a great relief. Sebastiano's plan included a modest addition to the footprint which didn't require a permit from Council, and greatly improved my ideas, making some notable additions. Most obvious amongst these was a large light well which opens the the rear of the house to light and provides a high ceiling in line with the roof pitch. This improves the interior space and helps to define the kitchen and living areas without sharply separating them. Now that the house is finished and I'm living in it, I greatly appreciate the simplicity, practicality, and livability of the design. Sebastiano has managed to create modern, spacious areas/volumes inside what is, by today's standards, a relatively small house. The play of light in the rear room(s) thru the light well is a real highlight, as is the plan and finishing of the kitchen/laundry area. All of this done without "periodising" the interior or making an in-your-face design statement (tho I guess one person's in-your-face is another's "meh"). What Sebastiano achieved was, I think, clean, simple, practical design with well thought through details of finish & treatment that fit the original style of the house and, most importantly, my partner's and my way of living. Throughout this part of the process, as elsewhere, Sebastiano managed to allay my tyro renovator's anxieties, provide helpful advice, meet deadlines, reassure me about the financial implications of the project, and to negotiate effectively with my builder. His reassurances helped me maintain at least the impression of humor and confidence throughout what, thru no fault of Sebastiano, turned out to be a very long build. As I mentioned, I also engaged Sebastiano to administer the contract with the builder. In this, I'm sure he went much beyond what I had a right to expect. He attended the site regularly, provided timely and accurate information and advice about the progress of the build. He fielded my ignorance, anxieties, vacillation, changes of mind, outrageous demands, and stupidity with reassuring calm. I always felt he was treating me respectfully, patiently, and more than fairly. He returned all my calls and emails within 24 hours, usually within an hour or two. His recommendations (he always provided some options) about fittings, finishes, and suppliers were invaluable and invariably better in terms of quality and price than anything I could find myself. I felt confident that it was speedier, more economical, and more beneficial to accept Sebastiano's recommendations than to waste time looking for alternatives. Sebastiano promptly and effectively negotiated some variations from the contracted plans and, throughout, tactfully managed the relationship between me and the builder. He had an eye for details and worked assiduously to maintain the standard of the build. I have no hesitation in highly recommending Sebastiano and SG2. He provided excellent plans that met my brief and exceeded my expectations. He worked well with me and the builder; kept the build well within budget; ensured the quality of the work and finishes; is patient and calm; communicates well; and was responsive, patient, and professional throughout the entire process.