Studio Snell

A Considered Range of Projects.

Over forty years of business means we have had the opportunity to apply our skills to a range of architecture, interior and design projects. The inspiration is always the unique Client briefs that we embrace and nurture to create design solutions that enhance their lives, brands and businesses. Our projects are informed by Studio Snell’s design principles; Space, Light, Air, View and Sound which were coined and explained in Joe Snell’s book, Your Best Home.

PRIVATE HOMES
Forever Homes & Holiday Homes
Home is where our days begin and end. We are passionate about creating homes that make your day better, every day. Whether it is a renovation, a new build or a bit of both, we work with our clients to find out what makes them tick, and what makes them relax, and we bring it home. Every project is informed by the five foundation principles of home as explored in Joe’s book Your Best Home; namely Space, Light, Air, View and Sound. Get these fundamentals right and the ‘bones’ will be right, allowing you time and space to explore your personal style which we work with you to bring to your home using our skills and experience.

HOSPITALITY
Bars, Breweries & Restaurants
We love to design spaces where the public comes together to meet, eat, drink and be merry. There is something lovely about sitting in a bar, restaurant and brewery and watching how people interact with the space and with each other.

MULTI-RESIDENTIAL AND MIXED-USE
Multi-Residential, Mixed-Use & Apartments
Homes with density is a major solution for our populous future, not to mention future-thinking childcare centres. We are inspired to be at the frontline of a growing sector across Australia.

COMMERCIAL
Gyms, HQs, Offices, & Showrooms
We relish the idea of bringing inspiration and creativity to the everyday workplace, whether you are at the office, in the gym or in a product showroom.

RETAIL
Shops, Salons & Showcases
Repeat business with retail clients is one of the greatest sources of pride in our studio. We use our medium - architecture, art, light and material - to create spaces and experiences that establish relationships with your customers on a conscious and sub-conscious level. With our clients, we create retail experiences that embellish the brand, push products and ensure that the experience is not missed and certainly not forgotten.

EVENTS
Art, Installation & Events
Studio Snell has had the honour of having a long and strong relationship with the arts. Joe Snell was a co-founder of Smart Light Sydney which then evolved into VIVID Light, a major component of VIVID Sydney. Creating architectural and lighting pieces to be enjoyed by the general public is a very different design experience to designing for private clients. Not only has it been wonderful to contribute to the arts community, but it has also been a great opportunity to push design to the limits. Many of the design and lighting techniques that we bring to our retail and home designs were prototyped in the explorative projects in the name of art.

Joe Snell
Director and Registered Architect
Joe Snell’s experience as a Registered Architect has crossed the fields of architecture, interior design, large scale urban event installation and lighting design.  His passion is the cross-pollination of ideas through different typologies and the pursuit of each project as a work of creativity. This approach is reflected in the recognition Joe has received in national design awards in retail, commercial, event and retail projects. 

Joe holds a B.Arch and a B.Sc(Arch) and was educated at the University of Sydney and the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, Copenhagen. He also holds a Diploma of Business (Real Estate Management) and practiced as an Estate Agent for two years.

Kevin Snell
Director and Nominated Registered Architect

Kevin Snell established Snell Architects in 1978. Kevin Snell is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Snell Architects have been design Architects for over 3000 projects in the Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Sydney and Coastal NSW.  This includes over 200 individual residences, numerous residential unit developments, shopping centres, commercial, retail precincts, institutional and hospitality projects.

Snell Architects were awarded the Lloyd Rees Award by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects for the Newcastle Queens Wharf precinct as part of the Bi-Centennial Celebrations.

In 1989 Kevin Snell was awarded the Professor Newton-John Award by Newcastle University for an outstanding contribution to Architecture in the Hunter Region.

In 1992 Kevin Snell was part of the first enrolment of a Masters Degree in the Built Environment at the University of Technology Sydney. The emphasis of the degree was the study of adaptive re-use of buildings and the adaptive re-use of precincts.

This degree combined with extensive architectural experience led to the appointment of Snell Architects to master plan the conversion of the Rydalmere Psychiatric Hospital into the Parramatta Campus of the University of Western Sydney.

The process of Architectural Service requires good leadership and management skills. In a period of ten years, Kevin Snell was able to expand a one-man practice in a regional centre to be one of Australia’s larger Architectural practices employing over 50 architects and 50 support staff.

In 1992 Kevin Snell recommenced Snell Architects as a more bespoke Architectural Practice with much less emphasis on sustaining a ‘large business’ and more emphasis on being ‘hands on’ Architects.  Joe Snell’s international education and design credentials, combined with the experience of 35 years, make Snell Architects unique.