Master Planning a Luxury Home
- Architeria Architects
- Mar 1
- 6 min read
Updated: Mar 4
At Architeria Architects, we take pride in creating luxury homes. We understand that the concept of luxury is as universal as it is controversial and that it holds different meanings for different people. Therefore, we prioritise comprehending and embodying your vision while ensuring the project's practicality without sacrificing elegance and design quality. Our bespoke process, developed by Mel Gawi, the mastermind behind Architeria Architeria, takes you through a journey, from the initial meet and greet to reflecting by the poolside of your new home.
Meet and Greet - What's Next?
We will be there to answer once you are ready to make the call. We love to capture the initial excitement of the idea of a new home. It is in those first moments that we find the purest inspirations. Our initial meet-and-greet is scheduled at our office, where you will not only receive expert advice but also kindness and a cup of warm apple tea. (Trust us, we have converted devoted coffee drinkers among our clients.)
Your design brief helps us understand your needs, wishes, and requirements and provides you with practical advice on how to best meet them. We will discuss the fees and present you with a design solution tailored to your unique project. Once we agree on the proposal, our mutual journey begins.
Rely on us to Coordinate
An essential part of a comfortable design process is knowing that you will be in the reliable hands of professionals. Before we start the design process, we do the heavy lifting and due diligence and appoint and manage all consultants. The administrative tasks, coordination of the land surveyor, and liaison with the council are on us; you simply pay their fees. We will handle all the daunting paperwork, planning permits, building permits, and the required consultants for each stage. We work with the best of the consultants who we have tested and tried over the years.
Masterclass With Mel
Once we have analysed your design brief in detail, we will translate it into conceptual sketches. You will see a first draft of the floor plans in 2D design. We will capture any comments and changes, often live in the meeting room, where you can see the changes on our big screen, molding the design to your needs. This is what we call the “Masterclass with Mel”. By the time the design session is over, and you are happy with the changes, the plans will be sent to your email, ready for you to drool over in the comfort of your home to share and further discuss with your family. If required, we will repeat the design session until you are a hundred percent happy. When you are happy, we are happy
The Big Reveal
Once the floor plans are fully resolved, we will proceed to the 3D modelling of your house. This is usually the most exciting and memorable moment of the project. We encourage you to bring your smartphones to document the moment we first take you around your new home in 3D on a big screen. We have witnessed a few tears of joy and some exciting “ah’s and “wows!” This aims to ensure that the architectural style meets your expectations, that it talks to the plans, and that you can get a sense of scale and the orientation of your home. A cutting-edge 3D design is invaluable in visualizing your home before it goes to construction.
Refining The Design
As we won’t settle for less than perfection, the next step is important. Considering the buildability of your project, we will refine the details and change and suggest materials accordingly, all in collaboration with you. Mel and his team will balance aesthetics and functionality, ensuring that every detail, big or small, is considered. The process of evolving the architecture and the details will ensure flawlessness. Each design element, from materials and window types to skirtings, architraves, and moldings, is curated to respond to timelessness, given the importance and enhancing the authenticity it deserves. The roof form and its design are crafted with precision considering the right materials and to complement the essence of the design.
Reviewing The Budget
A house in a plan is different from a house on land. A vital part of the process is for us to assess the feasibility. We will review whether the design aligns with your budget. Further suggestions for cost savings will be discussed and, if needed, changed to suit. With Mel’s extensive experience in designing and, importantly, building luxury homes, he will offer sensible and sound advice on construction methodology suitable for your budget. We don’t design unachievable dreams, and with constant market changes, we are up to date with material costs and other factors impacting the build cost. You are in safe hands.
Integrating Landscape
Often, our clients see the perfect sense in allowing us to design a landscape to suit the building. A home must blend and harmonise with its surroundings. Mel and the team will dedicate time to fine-tuning the relationship between the home and its surroundings. He will meticulously design a landscape that flows. He will ensure a seamless relationship between the house, pool, and outdoor spaces that make sense and are well-connected, working with the land's topography.
Interior Design
We believe a perfect home is one where the interiors talk to the architecture. We offer interior design services to complement and enhance the façade and to transform the floor plan into a space where beauty, form, and function are flawlessly integrated. Kate Gawi’s expertise and passion for creating timeless interiors is translated into visually stunning and luxurious spaces. Carefully curated materials achieve this. Colours, textures, and creative solutions are integral to interior design, ensuring luxury. The detailing that goes into successful interior design, implemented by Mel, will be noticeable through the design of the ceilings and bulkheads, vaulted basements, domed foyers, and many other elements to lift the design and give it a unique character.
Procurement
We take the hassle out of selecting, sourcing, and managing materials. Our procurement services can be added, making the process headache-free and simple. We assist you in procuring fixtures and finishes and present you with the finest materials to achieve ultimate satisfaction. Utilising our contacts, we make this process seamless and enjoyable.
Furniture And Art Selection
Kate and her team can offer extended services in furniture and art selection. With her expertise and background in studying art history, she has impeccable taste and many golden nuggets up her sleeve in finding and sourcing the finest art, books for your library, and antique or contemporary furniture. Let us curate a personalised home for you with timeless pieces that complement the interior.
Refine Until Fine
As added services, we will continue with vision refinement during construction. This process aims to accommodate enhancements during the process. New ideas, changes of heart, or budget changes can all trigger changes on site. We will provide solutions to any unexpected changes and continue evolving the client’s vision until satisfactory outcomes are achieved.
Celebrate Your Home
While we ensure the journey is as smooth as possible, we appreciate that waiting for something can be long. Once you finally turn the key to the front door, we are just as happy to celebrate the successful outcome of this journey with you. Clients become friends, as you can only create something as personal as a home by knowing someone. We love to gather insight and feedback from our clients to ensure we remain the most celebrated and trusted luxury architects. With a well-deserved toast with a flute in your hand, enjoying your home and the lifestyle to follow, we toast with you to create memories for many generations.
Becoming part of our exclusive and happy clients has never been easier, and it all starts with a phone call. Mel Gawi and his team of the best architects in Melbourne will transform your dream home into your real home. Step into luxury living by calling us on 03 9894 5805 or Book Online Your Free Design Consultation Meeting.
Creative Director and Interior Designer
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