Bijl Architecture

At Bijl Architecture, our practice is guided by the belief that architecture must bring enduring surprise and delight. It must improve our connections to each other, to ourselves, and to future generations.

Our residential projects are borne from an empathic, deeply personal expression of our clients’ vision for living; our educational and public architecture progresses our shared social and built legacy.

By acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands, our practice embraces an open design culture – to encourage ourselves and our clients to learn about country and to make reconciliation actions.

From this philosophical framework we create architecture that is impeccably detailed, grounded in economic mindfulness, perceptive, and proudly Bijl – alive with light, character; sometimes mercurial, always striving.

Bijl Architecture is a full-service architectural practice. We offer concept designs and feasibility studies through to planning applications, construction documentation, interior design, and contract administration.

Our projects are realised through a transparent process built on trust and open conversation. From the very first meeting we listen: we discuss your brief, expectations, scope of works, budget, and other important factors to you. We’ll then research your site and its context and present several design options that marry your brief with our observations and reflections. We also examine town planning obligations, map out an estimate of project and construction costs, and provide further information around time and likely process for your project.

Bijl Architecture’s inclusive approach fosters long-standing relationships with clients, builders, consultants and peers, forming the basis of enjoyable and successful projects.

Our projects are found throughout Sydney and circle our beloved home suburb of Willoughby, but our work also takes us to regional NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Enquiries from further afield are always welcome.

2021
Raven House - Highly Commended - TIDA Australia Architect Designed Kitchen Awards
Bijl Architecture Runner Up - Professional Services category, Better Business Partnership Awards

2019
Zuster House - Shortlist - Horbury Hunt Residential Award, Think Brick Awards
Lacuna House - Winner - Houselab Roger Seller Competition
Lacuna House - Highly Commended - TIDA Australia Bathroom Design Awards
Lacuna House - Highly Commended - TIDA Australia Homes Architect Designed Renovation of the Year Awards
Bannerman House - Runner-Up - TIDA Australia Homes Architect Designed Renovation of the Year Awards

2018
Doorzien House - Merit Award - Alterations and Additions $2.25-2.5M (with SKOPE Constructions), NSW Master Builders Association Excellence in Housing Awards
Doorzien House - Highly Commended - Architect Designed Kitchen of the Year, TIDA Australia Kitchen Design Awards
Doorzien House - Highly Commended - Architect Designed Bathroom Suite of the Year, TIDA Australia Bathroom Design Awards
Bijl x Ox King - street art for TwoGood -Winner - Innovation and Collaboration Award, City of Sydney / TwoGood Street Art
Melonie Bayl-Smith - Paula Whitman Prize for Leadership in Gender Equity - Australian Institute of Architects National Achievement Awards
Bijl Architecture - Finalist - Professional Services category, Better Business Partnership Awards

2017
Doorzien House - Highly Commended - Residential Category, Polytec Design Awards
Burrawong House - Winner - Architect Designed Bathroom Suite of the Year, TIDA Australia Bathroom Design Awards
Burrawong House - Winner - Imported Kitchen category, TIDA Australia Kitchen Design Awards
Wairangi House - Shortlist - Horbury Hunt Residential Award, Think Brick Awards
Escu House - Finalist - Residential Exterior, Intergrain Timber Vision Awards

2016
Escu House Finalist - Small Projects category, Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter State Architecture Awards
Wairangi House - Winner - Restoration / Addition $2-$3M (with Stuart Wilson Constructions), NSW Master Builders Association Excellence in Housing Awards
Step Down House - Shortlist - Horbury Hunt Residential Award, Think Brick Awards

2014
Naremburn House Winner - Contract Houses $1.8-$2M (with Stuart Wilson Constructions), NSW Master Builders Association Excellence in Housing Awards
St Saviour's Kitchen - Winner - Urban Commons Foodscape Design Competition
In the Bag Light - Fourth Place - ElectroLight LightCycle Design Competition

2013
Naremburn House - Winner - Single residential building, new structure (with Sterland Roofing), Metal Roofing and Cladding Association of Australia Awards
Naremburn House - Finalist - Intergrain Timber Vision Awards, Residential Exterior
Naremburn House/De-Form Wall - Grand Prix Winner - Wildcard (with AR-MA), CASF Australia Corian Design Awards
Naremburn House/De-Form Wall - Winner - Residential category (with AR-MA), CASF Australia Corian Design Awards
Elanora Heights House - Finalist - Residential Exterior, Dulux Colour Awards
Melonie Bayl-Smith - Finalist - Regional Business Leader, NSW Business Chamber North Eastern Sydney Business Awards

2012
Artarmon House - Finalist - Residential Exterior, Dulux Colour Awards

2011
Florence House - Winner - Unique metal installation in roofing or cladding, Metal Roofing and Cladding Association of Australia Awards
You don't need these to experience architecture - Second Prize - Advertisements for Architecture, Sydney Architecture Festival
Filter Light - Fifth Place and People’s Choice Winner - ElectroLight LightCycle Design Competition
Melonie Bayl-Smith - Finalist - Emerging Architect Award, Australian Institute of Architects NSW Chapter State Architecture Awards

2010
Turramurra House - Finalist - Residential Exterior, Dulux Colour Awards
Melonie Bayl-Smith - Winner - National Women in Construction (NAWIC) International Women's Day Scholarship

2009
Melonie Bayl-SmithWinner - NSW Architects Registration Board Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship (Graduate)2008Coal Point House - Finalist - Residential category, Lower Hunter Civic Design Awards