hillarchitects_ - We help our clients see possibilities in the built environment so that they can make the right decisions about their surroundings.

We design places our clients are delighted to come home to

We specialise in comfortable modern homes

With our clients we create spaces that help them flourish in their home environments, from lifestyle to livelihood, from interests to safe haven.

We offer full architectural services for sustainable housing, from alterations & additions and new houses for families, through to multi-unit housing projects for developers creating homes for others.

here’s how we operate

We believe the best ideas evolve through an engaging, collaborative process with our clients. At the start of a project the best thing we do is to help our clients explore what they want. Nothing happens from a design perspective until there’s a thorough understanding of the clients’ needs and personal goals.

We like to start with “why?”

Dig down

Through our Needs & Options Review process we dig down and get to understand the problems our clients are experiencing with their properties, as well as the dreams they have for their future, before we start any design work. This creates the project brief, much more than a simple breakdown of rooms.

Build up

The design stage builds on the brief. For a full description of the architectural process, see here for what happens after the Needs & Options Review.

Move forward

We work all over Sydney

From heritage conservation areas in the Inner West, Eastern Suburbs and North Shore, through to newer areas across the city and beyond.

Our appreciation of our city’s diverse architectural heritage means our work, though modern, suits its context. This also helps with council approvals. Based in Glebe, we are happy to travel.

Answers To A Few Frequently Asked Questions:

What do architects do?

Architects create a framework for people’s lives, through the design of the buildings that people live and work in.

When we’re designing we are:

investigating
guiding
analysing
suggesting
giving options
transforming
solving
anticipating
advocating…

See here for more.

Why should I hire an architect?

To make the most of your land
To have a creative partner to help in the negotiations with your builder
So it is right first time
So you will have a great home for you and your family, not something that is just good enough

How do you start the process?

We always start with a Needs & Options Review.

What are the steps in the process?

After the Needs & Options Review, our work on a residential renovation project can be broken down into the following stages:

Step 2 – Design
Step 3 – Approve
Step 4 – Document
Step 5 – Construct
Step 6 – Enjoy

The stages are explained on our Process page.

I think I need a DA – what do I need to do?

First of all, depending on where you are and what you want to do you might not need a DA – we can help you work out what you need. For an outline of the development application process see here.

Do I have to use an architect – can’t I just go straight to a builder?

Going straight to a builder means you miss out on an architect’s design, which is nearly always going to be a better solution; see here for a more thorough explanation.

How do architects charge?

We tailor our fees to suit your project. The fee is usually structured in one of three ways:

as a percentage of the total construction cost;
as a fixed fee with a stipulated sum; or
as a reflection of the number of hours needed to do the work.

We sometimes propose a hybrid arrangement, with an hourly rate for some stages – for example at the beginning, when the scope of the project may need to be explored – and a fixed fee for others – when the scope of work is clear and is not likely to change. For more, see here.

What does it cost to build?

There is no single answer to this question – it is like asking how much does a car cost: it depends. The cost of a project depends on quality, complexity, size, scope, time and site conditions. As the expected standard of quality and finishes increases, so does the cost: ‘faster, cheaper, better – choose any two’.

What style of architecture do you do?

The best answer is to look at our portfolio of projects. All the houses are comfortable and modern, but we do not follow or promote particular styles or trends, as each project and every client is different. We believe in designing buildings that will last for a long time, that are environmentally efficient and as sustainable as possible. We believe that your home should be a robust container for your life, something that will change with you as your circumstances change.

What are some common renovating mistakes?

A lot of people make these renovating mistakes. They are in no particular order, but they are all to be avoided.

Don’t start renovating too early – make sure you have a master plan
Don’t confuse fiction with reality
Don’t forget to do your homework
Don’t avoid design work to save money
Don’t be impatient – building takes time, and so does design
Don’t use council drawings for getting prices and building
Don’t just think for the short term – design for the future
Don’t undervalue your property or your future happiness

What is sustainable design?

When we talk of sustainable design we look at a building’s impact on the environment from a ‘whole building’ point of view. To assess a building’s full impact we must look at the cost of constructing the building – capital cost – as well as the ongoing costs – operational cost – associated with operating the building, of running the necessary machinery, over its lifetime. The built fabric is critical to lowering the resource use of the building for years, but over time the greater contribution to overall energy use will be the operating cost.
Sustainable design must be flexible to change and contribute positively to the built environment. See here for more.