Why Akasne?
Because great design is about more than just plans.
When it comes to building a home or investment property, you’ll encounter familiar titles:
Architect. Building Designer. Draftsperson.
While all can produce plans, plans alone aren’t enough. You need a design that works in real life — and a team that ensures it does.
What Sets Architects Apart
Architects don’t just draw. And drawing alone isn’t the same as design.
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As registered professionals, architects act as the lead consultant — shaping spaces that genuinely work in real life while coordinating the many specialists involved in your project, and ensuring the design meets technical and regulatory requirements.
Design means more than producing plans.
It means understanding how structure, services, climate, materials, regulations and budgets all interact — and integrating them into a considered, buildable solution.
Becoming an architect involves:
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6+ years of accredited university study
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supervised professional experience
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formal registration with the ARBV
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ongoing professional development, ethics and practice standards
This training equips architects to link big-picture design thinking with construction detail, including planning, structure, services, compliance and documentation — so your project is coordinated and well-resolved from the start.
We also prepare comprehensive documentation to support approvals, tendering and construction — helping reduce ambiguity, RFIs, variations and unexpected decisions on site.
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Different providers offer different levels of service.
Building designers and drafting services can be ideal for drawing-only needs, while architectural services provide a more integrated design-plus-project-coordination role.
That difference can influence:
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cost predictability
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buildability
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timelines
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long-term performance & value
Because when details are resolved early and consultants are well coordinated, builders make fewer
assumptions on site — meaning less risk and fewer surprises.
Good design, when done properly, costs less than fixing bad design later.
What Sets Akasne Architects Apart: Design + Construction + Investment
At Akasne Architects, we provide the full expertise of a registered architectural practice — combined with hands-on construction experience, real-estate insight and financially aware guidance. Our work is design-led, climate-aware and performance-focused — creating homes that feel calm, comfortable and practical to build, with lower running-costs and fewer surprises long-term.
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Importantly, we believe good architecture shouldn’t be reserved only for high-end projects. Whether your budget is modest or substantial, from a $20k renovation through to multi-million-dollar developments,
Our role is the same: to help you make better design decisions, reduce risk, and deliver the best outcome possible for your investment.
We support you with:
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Design optimised for buildability, budget, lifestyle and long-term value
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Climate-aware, Passive-House-informed thinking applied practically, without unnecessary complexity
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Fully coordinated documentation, with early consultant and builder input to ensure accuracy and constructability
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Tendering, builder selection and construction support, acting as your independent advocate
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Clear accountability across design, approvals and construction, reducing miscommunication and delays
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Financially informed advice, considering running-costs, whole-of-life value and resale performance
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Support across all project stages — from concept to handover — for a calm and coordinated journey
With Akasne Architects, you receive creative, practical and performance-led design — delivered with clarity from first sketch through to completion — combining beautiful architecture with real-world buildability and long-term value, for every scale and budget.
Different services provide different levels of support. This table explains the typical differences in scope so you can choose the path that best matches your goals, budget and risk tolerance.
We regularly collaborate with builders, building designers and draftspeople, and we respect the value each discipline brings. Our role simply goes further — providing coordinated design, documentation and project guidance from concept to completion.
What is Tendering?
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Tendering ensures your project receives competitive, transparent builder quotes while protecting your budget and investment. A lead architect manages the process from start to finish:
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Preparing and issuing tender packages with fully coordinated documentation
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Vetting and pre-qualifying builders, ensuring only capable and reliable contractors are considered
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Reviewing and comparing quotes, highlighting discrepancies, risks, and value-for-money options
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Providing guidance on builder selection, balancing quality, price, and timeline considerations
Draftspersons or sub-consultants typically do not manage tendering. Builders may be left to quote from incomplete or uncoordinated plans, which can lead to inaccurate pricing, unexpected costs, and delays.
At Akasne Architects, as lead consultant, we combine design oversight, construction experience, and market insight to ensure your tendering process delivers accurate, competitive quotes and supports a smooth, well-managed build.
What is Contract Administration?
The management of your construction contract to ensure your project is delivered on plan, on budget, and on schedule. A lead architect oversees:
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Progress monitoring and milestone approvals
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Managing variations and discrepancies
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Coordinating consultants and contractors
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Quality control and compliance
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Structured handover including defect checks
Draftspersons typically act as sub-consultants, providing drawings only and leaving builders to interpret details — which can lead to RFIs, delays, and extra costs.
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At Akasne Architects, as lead consultant, we combine design oversight, construction expertise, and market insight to deliver projects efficiently, with clarity, and maximum long-term value.
Your Journey, Your Way
We offer flexible service packages tailored to you. Whether you want us involved from day one or just need help through specific stages — design, approvals, or construction oversight — we ensure your project is delivered to the highest standard.
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Looking for guidance on your project? We can discuss your stage and how we can help — whether it’s a single service or the full architectural journey.