DX Architects

"Our company culture (purpose, vision and values) is the promise we make to our current and potential team members about the environment they can expect to work in and the values upon which our business operates."

The boutique scale of our practice allows staff members to engage and collaborate with every project. This creates lasting connections with clients, based on confidence and trust. Within the culture in the DX office, the environment is founded on a positive, inviting, and intimate workplace which leads to enhanced productivity and relationships within the office. 

Our multi-disciplinary studio allows staff to continue to further themselves through teaching and learning, due to the varying skillsets amongst staff members and the constant desire to evolve.

Simply, we believe that each project is unique and is personalised to your values and lifestyle. Choosing an architect for your new home or renovation can be an overwhelming experience and that is why we like to work with you rather than simply providing a service. The process does not have a singular vision or linear trajectory. Each home is different, changing and adapting as we work through the journey with you. It is the contribution and close collaboration within our team, but most importantly of our clients, you. The homes which we design are not intended for us. They are intended for you, something which we are very passionate about, and something which is essential for a successful space for living.

DX Architects offer a flexible service tailored specifically to suit client needs, as we take the time to get to know you. We want to know how you will use the spaces, what brings you peace and contentment in your home and how your project is going to forever influence how you live day to day. We provide an end-to-end service, from the initial consultation and concept designs, down to the nitty gritty in design development, planning and documentation, and finally contract administration and practical completion. We are here every step of the way to help with decision making processes and ensure that you feel in control of the design. As a multi-disciplinary studio, we engage various staff members throughout the entire design process, to ensure that you have multiple opinions leading to the best possible solution for you.

Typology

Our body of work largely sits in the bespoke residential home, which includes new builds, alterations, and additions to an existing home, including heritage homes and interior and exterior renovations. Our approach largely works through increasing living spaces and efficient spatial planning, improving natural light qualities and extending space in the often-limited inner Melbourne home.

Sustainability

Our environmental responsibility and consideration for environment is paramount throughout the design process. We believe that a holistic approach to sustainable design creates immersive architecture that has positive impacts beyond the built environment. Through an understanding of your lifestyle, the homes footprint, we can address and mitigate this impact as we move towards a more sustainable, common future.

Contemporary

At DX we specialise in contemporary architecture, designing residential properties in Melbourne’s inner suburbs. It is through our skills and experience gained that we have created an architectural design process to ensure the final outcome is a result we can pride ourselves on. Creating spaces which prioritise liveability whilst also challenging the constraints that inner city sites post is inherent to what we do here at DX.

Heritage

We have a great deal of experience in renovations, restorations and additions to heritage houses within Melbourne and the inner suburbs. Generally during alterations and additions, we undertake significant upgrades and rectifications to the heritage fabric of the house, to align with the newer section. At DX we have shown that a well designed small space can be as great as a large one.

Commercial

Designing and building places that affect numerous people every day is hugely important and, similarly to our residential projects, is something we do with passion, experience and knowledge. We value creativity, to design quality architecture which responds to the site context and incorporates modern design techniques with years of knowledge and experience of local legislations and planning permissions.

The stages of design can be summarised as follows:

Concept Development
The first step in the process where we develop the framework for the final result, through initial concepts and ideas. In this stage we listen to your needs (and wants), working with you, until we have absolute clarity in the requirement for your desired outcome.

Design Development
At this stage we will explore how these spaces will work in floor plans and 3D views. We will have the exterior of the home developed and the internal spaces mapped out to submit a Planning Application to council.

Documentation
Once approved for planning, we document the entire project from top to bottom. Everything from floor types, cupboards, structure, and details are decided here, including all internal finishes. This is the set of drawings that the builder will require to build your project. We also engage a building surveyor to confirm design compliance with current building regulations.

Construction & Contract Management
This is the time where the hammers come out, and construction starts. We guide everyone involved through the build and all the ideas we have been discussing, making sure that the spaces are coming together in real life – just as we imagined.

DX Architects has achieved recognition of its work through awards, magazine publications, and newspaper articles.

Recent contemporary architect achievements include:

• The Chisel House has been featured on The Local Project (October 2021)
• The Chisel House won the HIA Victoria Housing Award 2021 for the Best Renovation/ Addition Project $1 – $1.5 million with Blueprint Constructions
• Charles Street has been featured on the cover of Restless Living Magazine Volume 39 (2020)
• Fenwick House won the HIA Victoria Housing Award 2020 for the Best Renovation/ Addition Project $400k – $600k with Blueprint Constructions
• Charles Street House featured in Grand Designs Magazine (2019) Issue 8.2
• Master Builders Association award for the Best Renovation/ Addition $150,000 – $300,000 in Victoria 2009 for the Abbotsford residence. This project has also been published in Winning Homes magazine
• Master Builders Association award for the Best Renovation/ Addition $30,000 – $500,000 in Victoria 2011 for the Carlton residence. This project has also been published in Winning Homes magazine