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What we do matters.
Intention and action shape our future.
Taking time, and taking care, is critical to creating a world we want to see.

By applying a first-principles process, we craft our architecture to enable our clients to live, love, play, and flourish.

What we do today matters.
Intention and action shape our future.

Cathi Colla Architects began in 2000 with a singular passion to create ‘greener' architecture. 

It began from a dodgy old shopfront in Carlton North. 

It began with Cathi’s purpose to support each client to live well, to live more sustainably, and to create and support an architecture and interior design practice that thinks and designs smarter – not harder

Today, we’re a purpose led design practice.

We’re still in the old shopfront, but in a very renovated way. Intentionally, we're a small team – so that we can stay agile and informed.
We limit the number of current projects at any given time – to ensure that our hands-on, personalised, service can accommodate each client’s very individual project requirements. And it also allows us to think big, while diving deep into the detail with every client, collaborator, consultant, and other stakeholders.

Inside the CCA studio

Brilliant, life changing, ideas come from anywhere.
From anyone.
Anytime.

We can’t tell you what these ideas are (yet!).
We don’t know how they’ll take shape (yet!).

But we can certainly help to make sure those who are committed to live better, receive the inspiration, guidance, skills, and commitment they need to see their ideas through to a better design outcome than the ordinary convention.

Learn more Services here.

Cathi Colla Architects is here to help you create architecture that will inspire, to create an built environment that’s beautiful, comfortable, healthy, and energy efficient.

Without obstacles.
Without distraction.
Minimising inconvenience.

With a suite of tools and services to remove the friction that gets in the way of your wildest dreams.

Learn more HERE.

We are the designer behind your inspirational new home.
We are the technologist behind your energy efficient, high performance, home.
And we're the architect behind your well-constructed home.

We’re here to remove the friction that gets in your way.
So that you have everything you need to shape your future home.
And nothing you don’t need to get there.
Learn more about how we can collaborate HERE.

Contact.

If you're looking for an architect to help with your project, this form is the best way to reach us.

Contact us here...

"Cathi put some concepts together for us 20+ years ago for a rural site that we wanted to build a family home on. Cathi’s passive solar design made the most of the north facing aspect and wedge-shaped block.

The resulting home has been a delight to live in and we could not imagine living anywhere else. This home is part of who we are, and we have evolved together over the years. The house is a testament to how well Cathi was able to understand and interpret our needs…"

Phil, Koroit, VIC.
New Home, country Victoria.

“I could see Cathi understood where we were at.

I knew how I wanted it to function but I didn’t know how I wanted it to look, or how it could look.

That is where Cathi came in.”

Donna, Thornbury
Sunseeker

“We could not have been more pleased with the end result of our renovation designed by Cathi Colla Architects. It achieved all our goals within our limited budget, giving us greater indoor space, bringing much more light into our home and creating spacious outdoor living area.

The renovation has significantly increased the potential sale value of our home by much more than it cost us (to build). Cathi introduced us to an excellent builder who was easy to work with, and managed the project exactly according to the estimated time line.

We have no hesitation in recommending Cathi Colla Architects to others planning to renovate their homes.”

Linda, West Brunswick
Existing Home Renovations + Extensions, West Brunswick, VIC.

“It was during construction that their (Cathi Colla Architects) value shone through for me.

I remember the first site meeting. They were asking questions that I would never have dreamed of asking at the time. They were able to nip a couple of issues in the bud – issues that would have become crises had they not been worked through early.

They dealt with the issues in a calm and constructive manner with the builder.”

Ciara, Brunswick East
Light Source, Brunswick East, VIC.

“Thank you for your professionalism, dedication, decisiveness, and committed nature to which you conducted your role as a superintendent on this project.

Having now completed a few projects, it is becoming easier to recognise the architects who can combine their attention to detail, creativeness, and architectural style with a practical approach to building.

I would most definitely be happy to work with you again in the future..”

Angus (Project Coordinator), Richmond
Existing Home Renovations + Extensions, Brunswick East

This project displays a thorough understanding of the aesthetic and functional subtleties of residential space, and skilfully revitalises this prosaic mid century suburban house.

It manipulates outlook, function and circulation to create a sophisticated contemporary dwelling.”

Jury Comments, Architeam Awards, 2011
Architeam Award – Alterations and Additions to Existing Home, Thornbury, VIC

“I would like to take this opportunity to express both the City of Melbourne’s, and my, appreciation of the effort that your company expended, and the fine architectural result, that has been achieved. I have received nothing but glowing reports on all aspects of the project.

I would like to personally thank Cathi Colla for her involvement, and her assertive point of view, in endeavouring to achieve the results of which she had asked, and we would expect. She was, at all times courteous, and a pleasure with whom to work.”

James A. Jackson, City Of Melbourne (City Projects Division)
Melbourne Tianjin Gardens, Melbourne, Victoria (with Williams Boag Architects)

“When we sat down with Cathi and went through the scheme I was really impressed.

Cathi had listened to our requirements, addressed them, and came up with some really interesting ideas for our apartment. I was impressed with Cathi’s attention to detail and professionalism.

The work she did exceeded my expectations.”

Don, Toorak
Existing Apartment Alterations, Toorak, Victoria

“Thank you Cathi, you were brilliant! After three years of no direction, finally we have a professional.
Thank you for an excellent presentation and clear ideas.”

BH and MD, Owners Corporation (Clifton Hill)
Re-Clad 12 Dwellings, Town Houses, Clifton Hill, VIC

“We found that the services you provided far exceeded our expectations.
We especially appreciated the time and effort you put into understanding our needs, and clarifying the brief. This was very much appreciated, given that we are living on the other side of the world.”

Bernadette H., Vancouver
Existing House + Site Appraisal, North Sydney, NSW
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