Reformas integrales en St Kilda East, VIC, AU

“I was given the confidence and trust by Sky hence hired him to design my new house just by the marina. My journey with Sky started more than 3 years ago. Every step of the way, Sky had given me the clarity and best effort on all building and design aspect. I have to admit that I am not an easy client for I bomb Sky with numerous calls during weekends, public holidays and after hours. Yes Sky was ever willing to listen and help me with my queries. To be honest, I was hunting for an architect and had waisted some small fortune with two prior so called architect. I am glad I found Sky as his experiences, dedication and attention to detail is un-matched! Sky had helped me through from my house design to acquring planning permit, which was unbelievably difficult, and even administered my whole building project. There were massive amount of challenges due to unforeseen circumstances but Sky was able to assist in resolving them amicably in terms of timeline and cost.”

“Always a pleasure to work with MMAD Architecture. They are super talented and have a great eye for creativity and innovative spaces.”

“Love working with Ketsa. She is honest and very talented. She has helped design and draw up a kitchen for me. We are also working on a full renovation project. Her attention to detail is very impressive”

“Wendy and her staff were absolutely wonderful to work with, they guided us through the process and worked with the builders. We fell in love with her design and felt very confident through the entire process. We couldn't be happier with the final product - our new home!”

“Our 146m² home is part of what was once a factory. It was converted into townhouses about 20 years ago and when we bought it, it was due for a complete refurbishment. We spent 12 months thinking about the changes we wanted to make and gaining building approval. Then, we started to look for a construction company that could provide a well-organised construction process, with high quality workmanship, for the right price. After we had had several unsatisfactory meetings with other potential builders, one of our daughter’s friends recommended we meet with Gareth Owens. Gareth is a builder and had just gone into partnership with architect, Elena Cazacu. Together, they have created Evissa, a company that focuses on design and construct projects. We were impressed with them from our first meeting onwards and even more so after talking with some of their previous clients. People consistently spoke of their professionalism, enthusiasm and reliability. Watching the project begin and develop towards completion was a very happy experience. Communication was easy and honest. Elena and Gareth were always approachable, provided us with regular and detailed progress reports and dealt with any issues or concerns in a timely and professional manner. The Evissa design and construct model was ideal for what the refurbishment we planned – two new bathrooms, a new kitchen, new flooring, windows and doors plus some reconfiguration of the internal space. Significantly, as building work evolved and revealed previously hidden possibilities, the Evissa team was quick to bring these to our attention and show us how these could contribute to our underlying goal of bringing more light into what had been a rather dark ground floor area. These changes to the design along the way added considerable value to our property and a vastly improved outcome. There was a good continuity of trades so the project kept moving. The work site was orderly, clean and, importantly, happy. The renovation was completed on time, within budget and to a high standard. Evissa provided the team and expertise that you always hope to find for a building project. We are pleased to have this opportunity to recommend them. Maureen and John Sidoti Brunswick”

“Our experience with IO Architecture was a great result after inviting their services on our behalf to various, useless, overpaid,council departments. Apart from council "doing my head in" the stress relief by Io Architecture stepping in and being persistence proved worthwhile and finally gave us our expected and deserving result. The fees charged were reasonable and regular communication regarding our project was excellent. We recommend your next project to IO Architecture for a complete service.”

“We have used Quadrant Design for two projects - a renovation in Prahran (2004/5), and a new house in Barwon Heads(2007/8). Working with Tony and his team was a truly collaborative effort, with complete give and take between architect and client. The attention to detail on both projects was outstanding - nothing was too small to be ignored. Little things made all the difference, such as the 'scalloping' of the window frames at the Barwon Heads house, which greatly enhance the visual appeal of the place. All deadlines were met, both in the design and the build phases & the way Tony interacted with the builders (different ones on the 2 projects) meant we had none of the builder/architect tensions that can so often arise. Both projects came in on time and, importantly, on budget. We were so satisfied that we are about to embark on another house design/building exercise with Tony and the team at Quadrant.”

“very professional team with a genuine interest in providing a great design that really impressed us. The team communicates very well to us every step along the way.”

“Christopher worked on this project with a considered approach to detail reflected in the plans he prepared and revised according to the changes that evolved. This attention to detail was appreciated by the builder who was working on the project. In addition his regular site meetings were written up in detail and provided the direction for the progress of the building and the extenuating circumstances that were faced due to its age. Christopher also provided good sources when it came to selecting tiles, flooring and other materials; his selection of quality materials adds to the style and line of a renovation. The journey of working on this project with Christopher was a rewarding one, which he helped to bring to fruition with a minimum of fuss.”

“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.”