Southwest Architects-

Designing with Place and People in Mind

Architecture is more than buildings. It’s about people, stories, and the landscapes we belong to. At NM Design, we work across the Southwest of Western Australia, bringing thoughtful, practical, and creative architecture to projects that respect both community and Country.

Our studio began in Margaret River, and while this place will always be our foundation, our work extends far beyond. We also have projects stretching to Fremantle and Bridgetown, with many in between. We design buildings, homes and spaces that respond to the region’s unique character.

Why Choose a Local Southwest Architect?

Every region has its quirks. Designing here isn’t just about good plans on paper—it’s about understanding how these details affect daily living and lifestyle.

When you work with a Southwest architect, you gain:

1. Local knowledge: Climate, orientation, and material suitability are second nature to us.

2. Connections: Relationships with local builders, consultants, and councils streamline projects.

3. Design that fits: We don’t just drop in a “one-size-fits-all” design. Your project reflects both your needs and the character of the place.

Our Design Approach

At NM Design, we believe architecture should feel personal and grounded. That means:

• Listening closely to your needs and ideas.

• Designing homes that breathe—literally. Ventilation, orientation, and material choices are deliberate, not accidental.

• Respecting heritage and context, while finding fresh ways to use space.

We also know architecture can feel overwhelming. Council processes, approvals, and contractor selection can weigh you down. Our role is to simplify the journey and keep your project on track.

The Practical Side – Approvals & Permits

Development & Planning Approvals

We guide clients through planning approvals with local councils in the Southwest, ensuring your project ticks all the boxes before construction.

Building Permits & Documentation

Detailed documentation is essential. It’s the bridge between a design you love and a build that’s achievable. Our studio prepares everything from drawings to technical specifications to make the process smooth.

Let’s Build Together

Designing a new home, studio, or extension is exciting, but it’s also a big step. Having a Southwest architect on your team ensures you’re supported from concept to completion.

Whether you’re in Busselton dreaming of a coastal family home, or in Augusta planning a quiet retreat, NM Design is here to help.

So, what’s next? Reach out. Let’s talk about your vision and see how we can shape something unique—something that belongs to both you and this remarkable region.

Heritage Specialist Architects – Combining Old and New

Why we do, what we do

Old buildings carry weight. They hold memories, craftsmanship, and character that newer structures sometimes miss. But here’s the challenge: how do you respect heritage while making spaces that fit today’s way of living? That’s where we come in.

At NM Design, we’ve built a reputation for combining the rich fabric of heritage architecture with contemporary design across the Southwest of WA. From Margaret River cottages and Boyanup mudbrick to Fremantle limestone terraces, our approach balances preservation with modern comfort.

The Balance of Past and Present

What “Heritage Expertise” Really Means

Heritage architecture isn’t about freezing time. It’s about understanding what makes a building special—whether it’s stonework, jarrah beams, or simple proportions—and then understanding conservation principles as well design techniques to know how to adapt and modernise.

We ask ourselves:

• What needs to be conserved?

• Where can we introduce contrast to highlight old and new?

• How will this space work for families, businesses, or communities today?

We believe this is how we create timelessness, by balancing the old and new.

Examples Across the Southwest

Margaret River & Augusta

Heritage here often takes the form of early homesteads and worker cottages. The main street of Margaret River also holds some key heritage buildings, one of our projects has included the Margaret River Tuck Shop 2020 restaurant fit-out.

Bunbury, Busselton, Bridgetown, Donnybrook & Nannup

There are strong examples of heritage buildings throughout these areas. We are pleased to be working on the former Terminus Building in Bridgetown which currently is used as the Bridgetown Community Hub Centre.

Perth Metropolitan

We’re currently working on several projects in Fremantle, including a residential extension to a c.1920s inter-war bungalow, and conservation and design upgrade works for a c.1890s limestone terrace near Monument Hill.

Our Design Principles

When heritage meets new design, we follow three guiding principles:

1. Respect – Acknowledge the original fabric of the building.

2. Clarity – Don’t blur old and new. Let each tell its story.

3. Functionality – Homes and workplaces need to work for real life, not just look pretty.

A Bullet-Point Snapshot of Our Process

• Site and heritage assessment. This includes assessing and preparing Heritage Reports.

• Discussions with local councils and heritage officers

• Concept designs showing old and new clearly distinguished

• Detailed drawings for approvals and construction.

• Regular on-site reviews to make sure nothing is lost in translation

The Practical Side of Heritage Work

Approvals and Permits

Working on heritage buildings often means navigating planning approvals. Councils across WA—whether in Busselton, Bunbury, or Fremantle—require heritage impact statements and careful documentation. We are also experienced a liaising with the Department of Planning Lands and Heritage (Heritage Council WA) on State Heritage places. We manage everything, so you don’t get stuck in red tape.

Building Documentation

We prepare full architectural documentation that sets out construction details, material use, and finishes—so builders know exactly how to handle heritage fabric and where new design takes over.

Why Blend Old and New?

Heritage projects aren’t just about aesthetics. They also:

1. Strengthen community identity.

2. Reduce waste by reusing existing buildings.

3. Add long-term value—buyers often love homes with history.

And let’s be honest, there’s something special about sitting in a light-filled extension while still touching a 100-year-old brick wall. It’s an experience you just can’t replicate with new builds alone.

Let’s Talk About Your Heritage Project

Whether you’re in Margaret River dreaming of a respectful renovation, in Bunbury considering a heritage-listed home, or in Fremantle exploring adaptive reuse, NM Design is here to help.

We bring together heritage expertise and contemporary design thinking, so your project feels both authentic and practical.

So, what’s next? Reach out. Let’s see how your story—past and present—can shape a building worth keeping.

Adding Value: Why Using an Architect Matters for Renovations and Extensions

If you're considering a renovation or extension—whether to improve lifestyle, prepare for resale, or make a long-term investment—working with an architect can be one of the most powerful ways to unlock the full potential of your property.

Here’s why.

1. Strategic Design = Increased Property Value

Architects are trained to look at a property holistically. We consider site orientation, layout efficiency, flow, light, and long-term usability—all of which directly impact how a home feels and functions.

This isn’t about simply adding square metres; it’s about making the right kind of space in the right way. A well-considered renovation can significantly increase resale value, especially in competitive or sought-after areas like the South-West where buyers are increasingly looking for quality, lifestyle-driven homes.

2. Tailored Solutions for South-West Conditions

Living and working in the South-West means I design with our unique climate, materials and coastal conditions in mind. From ocean winds and salt corrosion in Yallingup, or bushfire zones on rural blocks in Cowaramup—these are local factors that deeply influence how a home should be designed and built.

Architectural input ensures your renovation is not only beautiful but climate-smart, durable, and low-maintenance—which adds value now and saves money later.

3. Improved Liveability Means Higher Appeal

Buyers and valuers are increasingly aware of good design. Natural light, passive ventilation, zoning for growing families or multi-generational living—all these factors create homes that are more desirable, more adaptable, and more valuable.

Even if you’re not planning to sell in the short term, you’re increasing your liveability now and creating strong appeal for the future.

4. Navigating Approvals and Planning with Confidence

In many parts of the South-West, projects may be subject to:

• Planning restrictions and codes

• Bushfire attack level (BAL) requirements

• Rural zoning and septic considerations

An architect helps you navigate this terrain efficiently. We manage design compliance, approvals, and co-ordination with other consultants, reducing risk and avoiding costly errors or rework—another way we protect your investment.

5. Cost Control and Quality Assurance

While there’s a perception that architects “cost more”, in reality, we help avoid overcapitalisation, refine the brief to suit your budget, and manage the design-to-build journey in a way that maximises outcome for every dollar spent.

With careful detailing, strategic planning, and the ability to get multiple builders to price accurately from well-prepared documentation, we help ensure you don’t overpay—or over capitalize or ignore opportunities with your own asset.

6. Stand Out in the Market

If you’re renovating with resale in mind, a home that’s been thoughtfully upgraded by an architect tends to stand out in a crowded market. It tells buyers: this isn’t just a quick flip or a DIY add-on—it’s a home that has been carefully considered, well built, and designed for real life.

This level of design integrity can create a powerful point of difference, particularly in high-demand areas or lifestyle markets like Yallingup, Eagle Bay, or Vasse.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re extending a holiday home, updating a tired rental, or renovating your forever home, using an architect is an investment in more than just design. It’s an investment in:

• The long-term value of your property

• The performance and quality of your home

• The ease and confidence of the building process

Here in the South-West of WA, where every site has its own charm and challenge, the right architectural thinking can help you make the most of what you have—and add lasting value in the process.

If you’re ready to explore how your home could evolve, I’d love to talk through the possibilities.

When to use an Architect Over a Draftsperson or Building Designer?

When planning a renovation, new home, or development, choosing the right professional to bring your vision to life is a critical first step. Often, people weigh the options between hiring an architect, a draftsperson, or a building designer. While each has a role in the building process, architects bring a distinct depth of training, creative thinking, and problem-solving that can transform a project beyond what’s expected.

Here’s why choosing an architect can be a smart and strategic investment.

1. Design Vision and Creative Problem Solving

Architects are trained to think spatially, creatively, and contextually. They don’t just “draw up plans”—they interpret your brief, understand your lifestyle or commercial goals, and design spaces that elevate the way you live, work, or use a place.

Where a draftsperson or building designer might replicate existing layouts or follow a more templated approach, an architect can unlock the potential of a tricky site, resolve competing priorities, and deliver design solutions that are both elegant and practical.

2. Holistic Thinking

Architects consider a project from every angle: spatial flow, orientation, environmental performance, materials, long-term maintenance, and the emotional impact of space. They balance aesthetics with function and think beyond the initial build to the life cycle of the building.

This kind of big-picture thinking can result in buildings that are not only beautiful but also more energy-efficient, durable, and cost-effective over time.

3. Education and Professional Accreditation

To become a registered architect in Australia, one must complete a Bachelors and Masters university degree (at least five years), complete mandatory practical experience (over 18 months) to then pass a registration exam. This means you’re hiring someone with formal training in design, construction, contracts, and regulations.

By contrast, a draftsperson is trained in technical drawing—an essential skill—but generally does not have the same design education or legal responsibility. The course length for Building Design is generally 1 year.

4. Greater Oversight During Construction

Architects can stay involved beyond the design phase, providing contract administration and site services during the build. They can act as your advocate, ensuring the builder follows the agreed drawings and scope, resolving issues on site, and helping to manage costs and variations.

This level of oversight is often not part of a draftsperson’s or building designer’s typical service, which can leave you more exposed during construction.

5. Planning and Compliance Expertise

Architects are well-versed in local council regulations, planning codes, and building standards. If your project involves heritage overlays, tricky zoning, or innovative materials or construction methods, an architect can navigate the approvals process and ensure compliance while maintaining design integrity.

6. Long-Term Value and Sustainability

Good design adds value—not just financial resale value, but value in terms of wellbeing, lifestyle, environmental performance, and cultural contribution. Architects are trained to think sustainably, often incorporating passive solar design, natural ventilation, and material selection to reduce environmental impact and running costs.

7. It’s Not Just for “Grand Designs”

There’s a common misconception that architects are only for large, expensive builds. In reality, many architects work on modest homes, renovations, and community projects. We all have a budget and constraints. The earlier you engage an architect, the more value they can bring, even in small projects.

Final Thoughts

While a draftsperson or building designer may suit projects where the design is simple or already determined, an architect brings depth, creativity, and professional responsibility that can dramatically enhance the outcome.

If you want a project that works better, looks better, performs better—and stands the test of time—consider investing in a registered architect. The right one will help you clarify your vision, unlock your site’s potential, and make the process less stressful and more rewarding