STUDIO INFO

Design that resonates with you & the environment.
Concepts that resonate with sound thinking.
Form that resonates with function.

Harmonic Design has emerged after many years of working tirelessly on projects in a technical modelling and design capacity, within a range of design-lead offices, large and small. With 18 years of vital skills developed over a wide range of projects; from houses to hospitals, apartments to data centres through to hospitality and civic centres. We’ve learnt a lot.

Studio Ethos:

At Harmonic we design buildings which aspire foremost to be sculptural, functional and energy efficient.
At every step of the process, Harmonic Design considers deeply the choices of materials, methods, volume & proportion, colours, outlook, ergonomics and comfort that will ultimately be realised within any project. We are inspired by good aesthetics but highly motivated to actualise these with sustainable solutions.

We believe Ecologically Sustainable Design cannot be divorced from great architecture and we are determined to ensure that when crafted, our buildings, landscapes & even villages will be intrinsically sustainable, wearing their presence gracefully into the future. Longevity of purpose being one pillar of sustainability.

Sustainability Policy

Sustainability as a concept is fortunately becoming more broadly desirable and increasingly stringent in its definition such that ‘greenwashing’ (the practice of overstating ‘sustainable’ credentials), is equally being called out for the dangerous ‘business as usual’ smokescreen that it is. Eg. we’re selective with our words and avoid saying things like “very-eco”; because ‘eco’ refers to ‘ecological sustainability’ and there’s little proof that ecologies anywhere are untouched by the current rampant human consumption and nothing is sustainable if we cannot reduce and / or neutralise energy consumption and carbon emissions.

So at Harmonic we take issues relating to energy consumption & greenhouse gas emissions very seriously. We’ve adopted a general policy of educating and encouraging our clients to work towards minimising energy consumption as well as selecting materials which are recyclable, demountable, low-carbon and naturally better for the environment.

When designing client’s homes we encourage them to aim for a NatHERS rating of min. 8-Stars which equates to approximately 45-50m MJ/m2.annum (13-14 kWh/m2a) or 30-40% better than a 7 Star home.

We’ve formally committed to sustainable development goals via our partnering with SDG Align and Building Designer’s Association of Australia which means we’re working to ensure that builders remain accountable so that our buildings are constructed ‘as specified’; meaning materials and methods are installed and implemented as intended, with verifiable outcomes.

Further to this, our Director is a member of the Building Designer's Association of Australia where he's involved in a working group who are developing a significant Carbon Neutral Policy for adoption by the entire BDAA member base. This focus group is stacked with enthusiasts like Lachie who are actively driving for more stringent industry standards and verification in relation to energy consumption and carbon usage throughout the AEC industry. The group is pursuing the adoption of higher standards for energy consumption beyond the slated NCC 2022 increase of Min. 7 Stars. In general we are trying to facilitate a multitude of improvements for all parties so that industry wide caps on consumption become an obtainable solution to reducing fossil fuels throughout all supply chains.

For more on our style of Triple Bottom line thinking, refer to our blog about uPVC window frames:

Ongoing Professional Development:

Harmonic Design maintains our integrity and interest in a number of ways but not least via our ongoing membership of professional organisations both locally and interstate.

• We are a ‘practicing member’ of the Building Designer’s Association of Australia (BDAA)

• A registered practitioner with the Victorian Building Authority (VBA) (an accreditation process required to practice as a designer/draftsperson within Victoria).

• We’re an ongoing member of the Adelaide Sustainable Building Network (ASBN).

• More recently the Director of Harmonic Design has undergone extensive training in the PassiveHaus Standard and looks forward to becoming a certified PassiveHaus Designer.

We are listening out for your next project:

Harmonic is now providing design and construction documentation services for any project you may have, big or small. We are based in the Fleurieu Peninsula. Our Studio’s founder is also a Registered Building Practitioner within the state of Victoria (Renewed Reg’ 2020). The process of becoming a Registered Building Practitioner in Victoria is rigorous and means that those who undertake the business of “Building Design” are not only highly capable of delivering design, planning & construction documentation services but are charged with delivering professional services within a legal framework*. Clients of Harmonic will enjoy these highly professional and ethical design services.

Professionally connected:

It is our intent that buildings should be realised by those who are similarly motivated with a passion for the built & natural environment. We aim to collaborate with builders since our efforts combine to produce the ultimate outcomes.

Harmonic has great respect for the sweat, energy & precision of each and every trade which contributes to realise our shared aspirations.

Disclaimer / Disclosure:

Harmonic Design is led by a highly experienced practitioner with 18 years of experience within the AEC industry but does not profess to be registered as an Architect.

*In the state of Victoria & in accordance with the terms of their registration.