What does a design–build journey actually look like—from first enquiry to a signed building contract? In this episode, builder Simon Clark walks through Sustainable Homes Melbourne’s proven process, step by step: Discovery Session at the Fitzroy studio → Design Kickoff on site (with re-establishment & feature survey) → a Feasibility Plan with project-specific sqm guidance → Concept Design with iterative reviews → a detailed Concept Estimate and specification → Planning management (if required) → full Design Documentation (engineering, energy assessment, soil tests, interiors) → Contract Estimate and contract signing. Along the way, Simon explains SHM’s four core standards—140 mm stud walls (R4), thermally broken timber/UPVC windows, Pro Clima vapour-permeable membranes, and HRV (heat-recovery ventilation)—and how they lift comfort, durability, and performance for Melbourne homes.

You’ll learn:

• The complete SHM timeline: discovery, site kickoff, feasibility, concept, estimating, planning/docs, contract
• Why early estimating discipline prevents decision fatigue and keeps scope aligned with expectations
• How project-specific sqm rates differ by site type, location and finish level
• What’s included in documentation: structural & (where needed) civil engineering, energy, soil tests, interiors, and who appoints the building surveyor
• The performance basics every custom home should have: R4 walls, airtight/water-managed envelopes, HRV, thermally broken windows

Who it’s for: Melbourne homeowners planning a custom renovation or new build, plus architects/designers who want a clear, cost-literate path from concept to contract.

If you'd like to know more, please reach out to Sustainable Homes Melbourne or call us on 1800 683 697.

Should you renovate or knockdown-rebuild? In this episode, builder Simon Clark breaks down the 10 decisive factors that determine which route delivers better value, performance, and peace of mind—especially on inner-city Melbourne sites with heritage sensitivities. You’ll learn how ResCode, overlays and site conditions can force your hand, why floor levels and subfloors matter more than most people think, and when soil movement, drainage and access make a renovation risky (or a KDRB the cleaner, faster answer). Simon also shares practical investigations to run before you spend on design: council triggers, soil tests, plumber CCTV for sewer/stormwater, survey types, and three-phase power/electrical pit checks.

You’ll learn:

• Planning & ResCode realities: how heritage/overlays and non-compliant existing walls affect a KDRB vs reno decision
• Block & access constraints: why machine access/orientation can make or break an extension
• Floor level & moisture: when to swap bouncy timber subfloors for an insulated infill slab (and save headaches)
• Soil movement & structure: screw piles, bored piers, underpinning, and the pitfalls of re-stumping done poorly
• Defects & unknowns: when large movements (e.g., 60 mm over a doorway) tip the scales to KDRB
• Scope clarity: keeping a clean “new vs existing” line to avoid labor-heavy blending
• Contingency planning: sensible ranges for renovations (≈10–20%) vs new builds (≈5–10%)
• Pre-design checks: exact council question to ask about planning triggers, plus CCTV sewer, stormwater fall, survey types, and power upgrades

Who it’s for: Homeowners weighing renovation vs knockdown-rebuild, architects/designers advising clients, and builders needing a clear, client-friendly decision framework.

If you'd like to know more, please reach out to Sustainable Homes Melbourne or call us on 1800 683 697.

In 2024, Simon toured Palm Springs — the mecca of mid-century modern and distilled five design lessons you can apply to Melbourne and broader Australian climates: (1) expressive textures (custom breeze blocks, screens, tactile floors) that also accelerate airflow; (2) right-sized plans with genuine indoor–outdoor connection from living rooms and bedrooms; (3) workmanship that respects details (what Elvis Presley’s “House of Tomorrow” gets wrong); (4) confident use of colour that adds delight without kitsch; and (5) climate-first planning — deep overhangs, shaded vestibule entries, cross-ventilation, and thermal mass — drawn from pre-air-con desert architecture and exemplified by Frey House II.

Simon translates each move for Australian sites (think inner-city courtyards, roof/vertical gardens, mudroom-style airlocks, and ducting strategies) so your next renovation or new build feels cooler, calmer, and timeless not just trendy.

You’ll learn:

• The desert playbook: shade first, then airflow, then thermal mass—and how to combine them
• How breeze blocks, screens, and courtyards accelerate natural ventilation
• Why smaller, smarter plans with storage beat oversized heat boxes
• Practical shading tactics: overhangs, external blinds, pergolas, and vestibule (air-lock) entries
• Ways to achieve indoor–outdoor connection without sacrificing performance
• When large openings help (and hurt) NatHERS — and how to design around it

Who it’s for: For lovers of mid-century Architecture. Homeowners, architects/designers, and builders seeking passive cooling strategies that translate Palm Springs principles to Australian climates — from inner-city terraces to suburban renovations.

If you'd like to know more, please reach out to Sustainable Homes Melbourne or call us on 1800 683 697.