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Sometimes a project sits beyond the norm, or isn't fully formed yet.

Occasionally our Core Services don’t quite fully fit the needs of a client or project scope. Sometimes a project’s requirements are not quite fully formed, are misaligned, or need rationalising for funding. And sometimes, there’s simply more information needed before a project can take off.

That’s why we provide our other services (non-core services), to accommodate a project that just doesn't quite fit – so that any further information, alignment, or other project circumstances or needs can be achieved.

Analysis to reveal site yield and preliminary cost.

It’s aim is to understand the economic viability of a particular project brief and site parameters, ultimately to verify whether an outcome is achievable and feasible.

The study is then presented as a series of analyses, diagrams, and/ or sketches, to communicate the relevant findings and any recommendations.

We’d normally consult a quantity surveyor to determine current costs and, depending on the scale and nature of a project. The process may also require engineering, other consultants, or stakeholders, to determine project viability, ensuring a clear holistic understanding of factors affecting project feasibility.

Architectural Services to ensure peace of mind, and holistic consideration of project needs.

Architects cannot legally say they provide "Project Management' services. What we can say – and do – is to curate the process, including coordinate the team of consultants and collaborators, to best suit the specifics of your project including the site constraints, construction cost and time. 

Understanding the specific project requirements is key to client success. This leads to optimum problem solving.

Understanding, and experience in, the whole of the process including design, planning and buildings, and construction is key to reducing the risk of time and cost blowouts.  

Understanding, curating and implementing a well coordinated set of design documents and specifications to communicate form, quality and performance required. Better project documentation should mean a better built outcome, with no room for mis-interpretation.

And understanding and experience with builders, the building and construction process, is key to successful collaboration between builder, client and architect. 

Think architect as advocate. Design is only a small portion of what we do, understand, and advocate for.

To cultivate a well-defined set of design objectives and assessment criteria for a project, via a structured workshop format.

This approach proves especially valuable when a client brief lacks clarity in defining or prioritising design or briefing objectives, or when a client organisation is diverse, presenting apparent conflicting interests.

A design workshop serves as a collaborative session involving client, architect and key members of the design team, and any other relevant stakeholders.

In some cases, the charrette (workshop) may yield a preliminary design for the project.

To Create a Big Picture Strategy to Unlock the Full Potential of a Site.

A Master Plan outlines a long-term vision for staging a project, or works on a specific site. It’s intended to explain the staging of a project in the short, medium and long term, so that you can be assured the staging of your efforts and financing will work for you at every stage of improvement along the way.

Much like a business plan, it provides a coherent strategic framework at the project's outset. Its intent is to future-proof your project, enabling progressive informed development, adapting to evolving needs and opportunities while safeguarding future options. It’s intended to minimize abortive work and costs, facilitating informed decision-making based on a clear development vision.

(And just like a business plan) regular reviews ensure ongoing relevance, responsiveness to demands, and alignment with the overall vision.

For an individual home, alterations and additions to an existing home, or site review, a master plan will require an experienced architect (along with a Costing expert). In the case of a larger site Master plan, this process often involves a multidisciplinary team, including architect, landscape architect, engineers, and stakeholders, ensuring a holistic approach.

Existing Conditions Survey and Record Documents.

Any project that requires alterations (or additions) to an existing building, will require a comprehensive measure up, photographic survey, and drafting of building and site to create “Record Documents”.

This process is essential to understand scale, feature and services before any design can begin.

The Record Documents are drawn to scale, capturing size of spaces, condition of and construction features (if accessible), details and finishes, other information to be recorded may include visible services, adjacent structures and buildings and that may influence the future design.

Certain projects, especially those involving heritage restoration or alterations, may require testing and extra documentation. This may include requiring specifics of construction methods, materials, previous work and evaluation and impact on heritage values, finishes and any changes over time, and a thorough examination of existing records.

The intent of Early Contractor Involvement is for the contractor to provide their insight into likely overheads, construction costs, and project timelines.

Early Contractor Involvement (ECI) usually occurs early in the design stages. This allows the builder (Contractor) to provide their opinion on design, detail, staging and or costs, before the design is finalised.

This collaborative process involves contractors and designers sharing responsibilities, enabling valuable input on major design and construction decisions, particularly beneficial for complex projects. ECI methods are intended to mitigate project risks through design reviews, buildability analysis, value engineering, site logistics, and material handling and delivery.

Value Management helps to pinpoint key aspects of a design brief to illustrate the implications of a client’s requirements.

Value Management (VM) generally involves assessing design and construction options, involving all stakeholders, including the client, in the decision-making process. The process effectively shares the decision-making responsibilities, while informing project stakeholders about critical design and budget constraints.

It emphasizes project-specific value, not just cost savings, by evaluating client requirements within the project context. It also provides a disciplined approach to identifying cost-saving opportunities, design options, and select the best value solution while balancing conflicting criteria.

Is the interior of your home or apartment dark and depressing?

Is your home just old and worn out – or simply no longer serves the purpose (and function) for which they were originally designed?

Did you know that the quality of the space around us – and how those spaces function and feel – can influence how well you live, work and play? 

Adapting and renovating can assist to achieve healthy, beautiful, and positive spaces in which to live, love and thrive.

Is your existing home freezing in winter and scorching in summer?

Do you want to reduce your cost of living by reducing spending on mechanical heating and cooling?
Or do you just want to reduce your environmental footprint?

A general home assessment of your existing home can provide you with a simple insight on how to enhance your energy efficiency (and lower your power bills!).

Do you require design and detailing knowledge for a tribunal hearing?

We are able to provide expert knowledge, skills and experience on matters in relation to architecture and design, construction detailing and specifications, statutory planning and construction matters.

You need to start your project and just don’t know where to start?
Will your site accommodate all of your intended project needs and design aspirations?
Will your project budget stretch to accommodate all of your project requirements? AND/OR
You’ve heard so many stories about timeline (or budget) blowouts and you’d like to be more organised and understand what’s ahead (before you start).

Well, this may be the service you require to test your project before you invest fully.

Our Master Planning Service provides you with a short, sharp and highly focused analysis that provides you with the essentials to consider (and get right) before  you get your project started. It’s a quick and inexpensive way to test the reality of your ideas.

Relaxed contemporary living, designed to conform to the 5 strict Passivhaus criteria, boasts a remarkable reduction of carbon emissions to run the home.

Enjoy the benefits of a comfortable, quiet, healthy, conditioned home,
This innovative approach means that you’ll waste less energy, allowing you to live, love, and play happily and more healthily.

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"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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