https://diary.sdstudios.com.au/

Contemporary project in Bulli

Sun, 29 Mar 2015 18:24:00 +1100

Another one of our challenging sites. This property was not on the water but not far at all. It was though probably one of the windiest spots around. The north east winds rip up the street and are accentuated by the surrounding houses. This really dictates the material and planting palettes. The design brief was simple enough. The existing house had not rear garden and our clients had young children. It is important to have a purpose for nearly every inch of space in the landscape. Whatever the purpose its ok. That means we try and design positive spaces. No dead space that has not been thought about and just left. That is poor design, and lazy design…..we always start a design with determining the purpose of a space first. From that the design will evolve and the overall landscape will be successful over time.

Due to the fact that there was no rear landscape the front landscape had to be designed as a durable child play area that was safe at all times. That means a functional space that has really good visual access from the house. Safety in this case meant a masonry front fece that complies with council conditions. But not just encircling the house with a bland wall….we articulated the wall, stepping it in and out so that it look far better along the streets cape and reflected the character of the house without trying to be too over designed and detracting from it.

This landscape also included a new front drive and pedestrian entry. We used recycled hardwood bridge beams that were very challenging for our construction team but were the focus on the landscape. Sitedesign also were involved in the house renovation embracing the beach character and flowing this through to the landscape.

Landscape works budget $120, 000

Beautiful 'Shelley Garden'

Tue, 17 Mar 2015 18:46:24 +1100

One of the most beautiful houses and gardens in Australia on the shores of Woolooware.

Brandon Wallis of Sitedesign worked closely with the architects, innovative architects and the owner to produce this resort style estate.

Sitedesign have worked on this project for over 4 years from design, through council approval and construction. David James and the Sitedesign construction team have done a great job and worked tirelessly and have had a great time along the way

More photo to come.

A glimpse of some recent jobs.

Wed, 04 Mar 2015 15:17:23 +1100

See some photos of our recent jobs we are working on… From fireplaces to green walls…

3D Animations; more than just a glimpse

Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:29:55 +1100

Check out our new service of 3D animations.

3D Animations; more than just a glimpse

Sat, 21 Feb 2015 20:29:54 +1100

Check out our new service of 3D animations.

Beautiful 'Shelley Garden'

Tue, 03 Feb 2015 20:24:51 +1100

One of the most beautiful houses and gardens in Australia on the shores of Woolooware.

Brandon Wallis of Sitedesign worked closely with the architects, innovative architects and the owner to produce this resort style estate.

More photo to come.

Merry Christmas

Wed, 24 Dec 2014 20:09:45 +1100

All of us join in wishing you a happy

Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year

Below pictures are from our Christmas Staff Party last week.

Merry Christmas

Wed, 24 Dec 2014 20:09:12 +1100

All of us join in wishing you a happy

Holiday Season and a prosperous New Year

Below pictures are from our Christmas Staff Party last week.

Some iconic international projects throughout the career’s of Julian Brady & Brandon Wallis

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 21:37:39 +1100

Julian Brady and Brandon Wallis throughout there professional careers have designed projects throughout the world, including Spain, UAE, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, UK, Malaysia and Singapore. For 6 years Julian was the General Manager and lead landscape architect for Patio. During his time he met Brandon the original founder of Sitedesign and together with the patio team collaborated on the Sheraton Salobre Golf Resort and Spa project located in the Canary Islands Spain http://www.sheratonsalobre.com/en. The landscape design scope included the landscape masterplan, concept design and construction drawings for Sheraton’s flagship resort in Spain. This was a highly complex project which required a unique approach to landscape design in a harsh drought climatic region in the Canary Islands of Spain. The result was a innovative and contemporary design solution showcasing the Canary Islands flora and local materials.

In Asia Julian led the landscape masterplan and patio design team for the Fullerton Bay Hotel, Collier Quay waterfront, One Fullerton, and public domain project in Singapore. This is a prominent waterfront area of Singapore and was a highly successful project for the client and the Singapore community. Julian was involved in the project from the masterplan through to government approval, construction documentation and site inspections during the construction. Today the site is a tourist hot spot and enjoyed by the community every day as a landmark destination.

In the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Julian led the patio team as lead landscape architect on the Al Barari Project which is a 83 hectares in area and located on a site that was once sand dunes. The Landscape Masterplan and detailed concepts included, 3 hotels, a luxury villa estate, onsite nursery and six themed parklands portraying ‘Gardens of the World’. The development is nearing completion and highlights how design and technology can turn a site from sand dunes to an oasis in the desert.

Sitedesign Studios owned and led by Brandon Wallis and Julian Brady focus there skills and experience to create places to live in and enjoy.

Photos of the latest Garden Project in Greenhills Beach

Tue, 09 Dec 2014 18:21:26 +1100

Check out a few new photographs of our latest landscape project in Greenhills Beach, Sydney's newest beachside suburb. Stay tuned for more photos to come.

Another article on Pinetrees renovations

Sun, 07 Dec 2014 14:05:39 +1100

Just came across another article on the Pinetrees renovations on Lord Howe Island issued on Great Walks website, Australia’s ultimate walking magazine. Read the article “Lord Howe Island lodge gets a makeover”.

Major renovations at Pinetrees Lord Howe Islands completed

Tue, 28 Oct 2014 20:02:27 +1100

Sitedesign Studios was selected to prepare a Landscape Masterplan and Detailed Drawings for the proposed makeover of the Pinetrees Resort located on the magnificent World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island. We posted about it before (read previous blog post).

Now all renovations are completed and Pinetrees are reopened after a once in a generation renovation.

We resisted the urge to compete with other 5 star destinations and introduce in-room movies, keycard locks, designer furniture and pillow menus, and instead kept our focus on quality food, great service and an egalitarian culture where everyone is welcome and shoes are optional. This isn’t to say that we took the budget options. Our new bathrooms are timeless and elegant, the decks and boardwalks are made from beautiful NSW Blackbutt, and the louvre windows and French doors provide enough breeze for a lovely long siesta.

The renovations were planned by Brandon Wallis and Julian Brady of Site Design, both of whom worked with Jamie Durie at Patio. Their main job was to tweak the existing layout and reduce the environmental footprint.

Pinetrees doesn’t compete in the annual refurbishment competition that many luxury hotels get drawn into, so this renovation is intended to last for another generation. It was scary to commit to such expensive works, but now it’s finished, we’re absolutely confident that we got the design right. The pressure of guiding Pinetrees through the 6th generation is something that keeps us awake at night, but it’s also exciting. The current renovations are our contribution to the place, and no doubt our daughters, Elsie and Pixie, will have their turn in 30 years’ time.

Written by Pinetrees

Photographs: Pinetrees Low Howe Islands

GRAND DESIGNS LIVE HOME SHOW - Ask an expert

Thu, 23 Oct 2014 15:04:39 +1100

Grand Designs Live is back in Sydney on 24-26 October 2014! Get the chance and ask an expert, like our Design Director Julian Brady! Julian will be onsite Friday, 24th October.

Whether you are building or renovating, you can find experts in every field, from financing your project, designing with an accredited architect or furnishing your home with one of our interior design team at Ask An Expert, sponsored by The Site Foreman. Bring your plans, sketches, photos, blue-prints, drawings, budgets and anything else relating to your project to discuss with the people in the know.

This great opportunity to receive expert advice on the best way to future proof your home.

More information here: http://granddesignslive.com.au/sydney/whats-on/ask-an-expert/

About Grand Designs Live Home Show

Taking inspiration from the TV series, you’ll find the best ideas and advice for your home. You will meet your favourite TV celebrity experts and you can chat to our fabulous exhibitors, discover their products and services, and use their expertise to further enhance your domestic spaces.

With more than 200 exhibitors at our show, you’re certain to find exactly what you need, whether you’re planning a complete new-build or simply choosing some finishing touches for your home. From stylish tapware to granite benchtops, garden furniture to designer kitchens - it’s a home renovator’s feast.

At Grand Designs Live you will discover areas dedicated to Building, Interiors, Kitchens & Bathrooms, Outdoors and Technology. New to 2014: the Design Arcade is where you can shop for home wares from Australia’s talented up-and-coming designers.

Grand Designs Live 2014 will also focus on small spaces. No matter what the size of your home or your room, we have many tips and tricks for clever design, storage, how to use colour effectively, and how to create the perfect home environment.

Two projects in one street. Check out this contemporary garden Design

Sat, 27 Sep 2014 12:56:49 +1000

We finished this two projects about a year ago. Recently we went on site again to take this amazing photographs.

Sitdesign project nominated for the Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award in the 2014 Think Brick Awards

Wed, 17 Sep 2014 15:19:39 +1000

Brigidine College is an independent Catholic girl’s high school located in St Ives, just north of Sydney. While undertaking enhancement projects, the school engaged Fulton Trotter Architects and Sitedesign Studios Landscape Architects to design a master plan concept for the school which included the introduction of a new Performing Arts building.

As part of this redevelopment, Adbri Masonry’s Contracting Services Division won the tender to install over 1100 square meters of the Ecotrihex® pavers for the external relaxation area that was to feature aesthetically pleasing, durable and sustainable permeable pavers throughout this new precinct. This segmental permeable paver features specially designed voids which, when laid together, allow surface water runoff to filter through the pavement surface and into the sub base below. This ensures it can be recycled or returned to the water table. Inspired by Duffy Forest, a prominent feature at the front of the College grounds, Sitedesign Studios selected two contrasting paver colour tones for use in this project.

Julian Brady Design Director of Sitedesign Studios commented ‘Utilising the natural contrasting tones, this pavement design is yet another example of how permeable pavements are able to contribute to sustainable goals, perform as a functional pavement surface and create a brilliant aesthetic feel in contemporary designs. ‘

On finishing the project, Sandstone coloured Adbri Brickpave pavers were used in the perimeter of the space abutting building edges and organically shaped planter beds located throughout the outdoor spaces which also acted as a social seating area. The ability to colour match the two paving types was a perfect finishing touch to the pavement surface which along with the modern planter bed seats created a modern, durable and sustainable solution to assist in Brigidine College’s master plan.

“The Brigidine College project demonstrates the versatility and flexibility of Adbri Masonry to convey important client-desired design characteristics as well as providing a practical and durable method of delivering rainwater back to the natural ground via permeable paver,” explained Greg Isaac, Director at Fulton Trotter Architects. “Combined with quality and skilled workmanship, the project has achieved an outstanding result.”

This aesthetic and nature inspired project was nominated for the Bruce Mackenzie Landscape Award in the 2014 Think Brick Awards.

Gymea Bay - 16 Coonong

Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:21:18 +1000

Our block of 640 square metres is probably considered medium to smallish in our area. So with 3 active kids and a desire to entertain, it was important for us to fit a lot into this back yard without feeling hemmed in. After working with Brandon for years I knew it was important to get him involved.

In the back, we needed to have a yard that suited ours, and our childrens lifestyle. The grass patch is big enough for our friends and family games of footy, soccer or cricket, while the adults could either take part or relax in one of the many entertaining areas.

The pool was a major factor when it came to initial design. I wanted something close to the house where we could see the kids swimming from our kitchen and living room. We rarely have the time sit and watch the kids outside, so this was paramount. Brandon suggested the raised deck and low garden wall, which are key features, and not only aesthetic features but if you ask the kids and their friends, they like nothing more than to dive / launch themselves into the pool off both of these..

The positioning of the pool also works very well, as it creates our utility area behind, where pool equipment, pool filter and shed is located, all the things you don’t want to see. It also attracts maximum amount of sun on this side of the property, keeping it warmer longer.

Our kids have begged us for a large trampoline but i always had issues moving our small one and mowing the grass underneath. Hence the planting area which gives the trampoline a designated place and is aesthetically pleasing with no long or shaded grass under it.

Planting - Low maintenance, Privacy and Lush, were the 3 things that came to mind initially. The first key element “low maintenance” we achieved with plant selection and positioning. Maturity and time is important to achieving our second and third element, and I can’t wait to see our garden in another 2-3 years.

I really wanted to get a fire pit involved in our new home, although there probably wasn’t enough room to install a fixed fire place. So we opted for a portable cast iron bowl, which was used in 3 different areas in the yard.

With the front, aesthetics along with functionality were the key. The design of the driveway was easy but getting the shape of the garden wasn’t. Brandon was instrumental in this design and his expertise really gave our house a unique and impressive street appeal. The 2 large palms really reduce the scale of the building and the foliage colour created in the planting theme keeps the garden interesting all year around.

Brandon, thanks for all your help.

Gymea Bay - 16 Coonong speel

Sat, 23 Aug 2014 13:20:53 +1000

Brandon, thanks for all your help.

Sitedesign selected for Pine Trees Resort Project on World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:38:20 +1000

Sitedesign Studios was selected to prepare a Landscape Masterplan and Detailed Drawings for the proposed makeover of the Pine Trees Resort located on the magnificent World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island. Pine Trees Resort was the first resort for Lord Howe Island taking its first guests back in 1895. Julian and Brandon won the project based on their design approach and prior experience having completed resorts around Australia and overseas. Brandon and Julian set up a remote office on the Island confirming the design brief taking measurements and preparing initial design solutions for the Resort. They worked closely with the Owners to develop designs to a brief of three main words ‘simple’, ‘timeless’ and ‘authentic’. We are excited that Stage 1 of the renovations and construction is underway and will l be ready for Spring. Below are some photos Brandon and Julian took whilst on Lord Howe Island.

Sitedesign selected for Pine Trees Resort Project on World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island

Mon, 28 Jul 2014 20:38:15 +1000

Sitedesign Studios was selected to prepare a Landscape Masterplan and Detailed Drawings for the proposed makeover of the Pine Trees Resort located on the magnificent World Heritage Listed Lord Howe Island. Pine Trees Resort was the first resort for Lord Howe Island taking its first guests back in 1895. Julian and Brandon won the project based on their design approach and prior experience having completed resorts around Australia and overseas. Brandon and Julian set up a remote office on the Island confirming the design brief taking measurements and preparing initial design solutions for the Resort. They worked closely with the Owners to develop designs to a brief of three main words ‘simple’, ‘timeless’ and ‘authentic’. We are excited that Stage 1 of the renovations and construction is underway and will l be ready for Spring. Below are some photos Brandon and Julian took whilst on Lord Howe Island.

Another article in Outdoor Rooms Magazine

Wed, 11 Jun 2014 19:55:14 +1000

That’s great! Another article has been published in latest Outdoor Rooms magazine, issue #23. This article is about the transformation of a Sydney (Milson Point) courtyard into an inviting alfresco room. Check it out!