Utz Sanby Architects

The Directors

KRISTIN UTZ - B. Sc., B. Arch. (Hons. 1st) – The University of Sydney ARB Reg No. 10181

Kristin is a registered architect and co-founder of Utz Sanby Architects, established over 25 years ago. She has worked as a Design tutor at the University of Sydney since 2015 and has been Chair of the Alumni Committee since 2014. She has always been involved in the wider profession and has a keen interest in promoting architecture, education and mentoring beyond the running of the practice.

Utz Sanby Architects has a reputation for delivering great design, service and have successfully delivered well over 120 beautiful and innovative buildings with design integrity throughout Sydney and NSW. We enjoy the process of collaboration that is essential to making buildings and value the work of everyone involved in the process.

DUNCAN SANBY - Dip Arch B Arch (Hons), AIA A+ member, ARB Reg No. 6227

Duncan grew up in Derbyshire, UK and attended university in Brighton where he completed his degree in architecture. Following university, he worked for Bennetts Associates in London from 1989-1993, then Sir Norman Foster and Partners in Hong Kong, followed by Cox Richardson in Sydney, before establishing his own practice, with Kristin Utz in 1994.

Duncan’s experience is extensive, ranging from small alterations and additions to large commercial developments. He has always loved the process of design and construction and continues to produce buildings with particular attention to documentation and detailing. His focus over the last twenty-five years has been on producing one-off, custom-designed and impeccably built homes around Sydney and regional NSW. Duncan is passionate about great design at an affordable price and goes to great lengths to ensure client’s budgets are met, without compromise.

Our Values

Our architecture has found a niche of clients who, in many ways, are like us. They are people who enjoy family, beauty, climate and nature. They value craftsmanship and appreciate the skills of others yet are busy living their own lives. Our clients seek an architectural practice that will deliver homes that enrich and enhance the everyday rituals of living and become a backdrop for their lives. The high number of repeat clients we have is testimony to how our service is delivered.

There are several overriding interests and influences that have shaped the way in which we practise Architecture.

• Clarity of the plan or ‘program’ – a good modernist principle adopted from university days, all be it one in Brighton and one in Sydney.
• Expression of the structure and structural grid – A much-loved planning tool, which helps to rationalize the form of the building and has its roots in time spent at Bennetts Associates, Arup Associates and Foster Hong Kong.
• Natural light and ventilation – An appreciation of the climate and quality of light in the southern hemisphere gained from time spent in the northern hemisphere.
• A love of Australian materials, such as corrugated steel, re-cycled hardwoods, glass louvres and concrete blocks – Introduced by the work of Glen Murcutt, Philip Cox, Peter Stutchbury and Alex Popov.
• Documentation and detailing – A long-standing belief in the process of thorough documentation and 1:5, 1: 2 details to achieve the best quality of construction and resolution of a design.
• Clear communication – We enjoy the process of communicating with the client, builder and consultants. This starts with understanding the brief, to explaining the design concept -using models, 3-D, sketches, analysis and more detailed drawings and proceeds to construction documentation and administration.
• Relaxation and enjoyment – We are a practice that does not believe in late nights and weekend work –most of the time. We want a life outside of architecture and encourage our staff to do the same. We work better if we spend time pursuing other interests, spending time with friends and family, having holidays and enjoying life.

Our Process

At Utz Sanby the way we go about providing architectural services is a process that evolves over the duration of each project and involves various means of communicating with the client from initial discussions and collating the brief, through to, sketching, drawing, model making and computer-aided design (CAD).

1. CONCEPT
   Initially, we work with hand-drawn plans and cardboard models (when needed) to ‘test’ ideas as the design is being developed. These small-scale models (1:200) help explain the design concepts, siting and architectural form being proposed and are a really useful tool for discussion with the client and within the practice.
   
2. DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION
   When the design is at a stage where it is resolved enough to commit to CAD, we use a 3D program to produce more detailed drawings that are then submitted to the Council for approval as part of a Development Application (DA) or Complying Development Certificate.
   
3. DETAILING
   Following approval of the DA is the detailed design stage, which includes the selection of internal finishes, lighting, sanitary and tap-ware, engagement of a structural engineer and the resolution of the construction details. This involves input from other consultants, the client and the myriad of suppliers and sub-contractors involved in the building process.
   
4. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTATION
   Construction documentation is done in concurrence with the detailing so that there is a full and accurate set of documents for builders to price. These typically include 20-30 drawings with notes, schedules, details and a written specification.
   
5. TENDER
   The construction documents are put out to tender so that a final selection of builders can be made and contracts negotiated. The architect is the client’s agent for the tender process and answers questions and provides any additional information requested by the builders, as well as selecting the appropriate contract for the works in conjunction with the client.
   
6. CONSTRUCTION
   When the project is underway the architect ensures that construction is in accordance with the drawings and specifications and administers the contract between builder and client. This includes regular site meetings and inspections, processing of builders claims for payment and providing additional information, or clarification, for the builder on site.