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How to find the right duplex designer and architect for your new home

When it comes to a home’s functionality and aesthetic, a large portion of the responsibility rests on the shoulders of the designers and architects on the project. A duplex house contains two residences, either on top of each like apartments or next to each other like townhouses. This unique layout makes the design and architecture of your property even more complex than a regular house, and more difficult to execute effectively.

Usually, with duplexes, a person lives in one and sells or rents the other residence. For many people, this is the beauty of living in a duplex. While beneficial, it also makes it even more pertinent that the design and architecture of your duplex home be clever. Half of your home will need to be marketed to either be sold or rented, which is the primary reason why it is important that you find the right architect and designer.

What value do the services of a designer and architect bring to a duplex?

A designer and architect will do much more for a project than execute their primary roles. Here are a few of the benefits that will bring value to your project.

  • Advise you on the latest property trends on the market.
  • Design a home according to your lifestyle needs.
  • Provide design suggestions to accommodate your future and architecture advice that will last transcend time and trends.
  • Liaise with other parties to relay your design and architectural requirements and needs.
  • Combine your wants with what is marketable to prepare for possible future rental or sale.

These are just some of the benefits of hiring a professional architect and designer. But, how do you find the right professionals for the job?

ES Design’s top 3 guidelines for finding the right designer and architect for a duplex

#1 Determine your style and needs

Finding the right person for the job begins with you. If you do not know what you need or what you want your duplex to look like, then how will you find a professional who can execute your project?
Browse through magazines, find examples online and even create your own mood to create visuals of the design that you are interested in. You’ll also want to discuss with your family what you want from the interior of your home and what they would like to see in the secondary residence. Do you need two bedrooms or three? Would you like a half bathroom or a full guest bathroom? These answers, while simple, take a lot more deliberation than you realise.
You don’t have to have a complete and solid idea of the design or architecture of your home as professionals are meant to guide you and consult with you about what is suitable. However, it’s worth getting a general idea of your needs as it will help in your search for an architect and designer.  

#2 Set up an initial consultation

An initial consultation will give you an opportunity to interview the architect or designer and tell them a bit about your project. Initial consultation has enormous potential and is usually when you determine if the company is right for you.

Use this as an opportunity to get to know more about the architect or designer’s process. You can try asking the following questions.

  • Can I see some examples of your work?
  • How would you approach this project?
  • What do you recommend for this duplex based on my goals/future/family?
  • How long will this project take for design, building permits and construction?

These questions won’t only give you insight into the professionalism of the company, but it will also give you an idea of what can be done for you.

#3 Examine examples of their work

We mentioned above that you should request examples of their work. This is in the event that it is not readily available on their website. When you get the opportunity to look at their work, carefully assess it according to what you want for your own project.

In addition to ensuring work on a duplex, look for similarities in style, the size of the property that they worked on and any other special features that you would like included in your duplex.

At ES Design, we work with you to ensure that you get exactly what you want from your duplex. We know how important the design and architecture of a project is, especially if your livelihood depends on it, and thus, will work to ensure that we provide you with the best advice and guidance possible so that your duplex’s potential is maximised.

To find out more about our services, call us on 0460 000 000.

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Luxury homes in Sydney: 5 features architects target for luxury living

Luxury homes in Sydney are sights to behold. They have impressive designs and are finished with high-end materials that make it immensely impressive. Luxury homes differ from country to country because architects realise the needs, wants and climates of their communities and design luxury homes according to their clients and their surroundings. While you may find similarities in luxury homes around the world, they are mostly intentional and all have their own unique personalities.

In Sydney, luxury homes reflect the laid back and beachy lifestyle of its residences and the city’s coastal location. As a result, you’ll find luxury homes with crisp white shades, clean vertical lines and with features that capitalise on the sunny weather in Sydney.

Are all luxury residential properties in Sydney mansions?

Without professional input, it’s hard to see how luxury homes offer luxury living. While an interior design concept can be impeccable, it doesn’t offer luxurious living. Additionally, some of the most luxurious homes in Sydney aren’t incredibly massive mansions or distinguishable from standard houses. Instead, they offer luxe living from revolutionary interiors that are developed by skilled architects and designers.

How do designers and architects in Sydney create luxury living in residential properties?

High-end, professional kitchens

It doesn’t matter if the homeowner can cook, however, a large and high-tech kitchen is one of the most coveted features in a luxury residential property.

High-end kitchens contain professional kitchen appliances, marble bars, space, bold textures, exotic materials and rich hues. Recently, gold and copper have been some of the trending furnishings for luxury kitchens.

Clever designs for storage along with unique functional additions are also included in luxury kitchens including features such as drawer dishwashers, rollout shelves and racks and a beverage station.

Merging the inside with the outside

Architects in Sydney use this technique in particular because of the city’s beautiful weather. Merging the interior with the exterior is a simple concept that cannot easily be executed for many homes.

To blend outdoor and indoor living spaces, many architects design homes to easily expand outdoors. This technique is usually used with living rooms and kitchens and is facilitated via a sliding or stacked door. Luxury homes also have a full outdoor kitchen and dining space, complete with entertainment systems, a firepit, stainless steel appliances and built-in barbecues.

To bring the outdoors in, when expanding rooms outdoors may not be possible or ideal (with weather conditions), ceiling to floor glass windows are used throughout homes. This allows homeowners to enjoy nature from afar and without experiencing the inconvenience of rain, heat or intense winds. 

Luxurious bathrooms

A bathroom is a space for relaxation, so it makes sense that architects target this room for luxury. One of the first things that architects include in the design of a luxury bathroom is ample space. In many standard houses, bathrooms are uncomfortably small, making it difficult to destress. Luxury bathrooms, however, are always spacious, often accommodating both a walk-in shower and a bathtub as well as his and her sinks.

Other features of a luxurious bathroom include saunas, touch screen mirrors and steam rooms. Architects and designers push to make bathrooms feel as spa-like as possible.

Fine details

Through a luxury residential property, detail, customisation and impeccable architecture are what makes the home impressive as well as costly.

High-quality builders with excellent craftsmanship will execute and integrate architectural features such as archways, detailed moulding, rounded corners and art nooks to create an otherworldly, but still familiar luxury property.
While these details are not immediately noticed nor outstanding, they collectively create a luxurious home that looks and feels expensive. Designers and architects will put serious thought into the detail of their designs and collaborate with homeowners to customise it down to the smallest detail.

This is not just what designers architects set out to do with a luxurious home but it’s also what differentiates these properties from standard residential buildings.

At ES Design, we work with you to ensure that you get exactly what you want from your luxury residential property. We know how important the design and architecture of a luxury project is and promise that our team will provide the expertise and craftsmanship that your project deserves.

We understand that luxury residential properties don’t just require professionalism and expertise, but also collaboration with our clients so that we can execute plans and designs that perfectly reflect your idea of luxury. To find out more about our luxury residential services, call us on 0460 000 000.