Our story is not just about the buildings we’ve designed. It’s about the lives they touch and the communities they serve. As we believe architecture should be good, do good and make good, we are drawn to projects that allow us to make a difference, partnering with organisations that share our vision for socially responsible design.
For us, a building is more than just a place to learn, work, or live in. It should be a catalyst for positive social impact, improving the way people feel, think and interact with each other. Through our advocacy in social impact for the built environment, collaborations with academia and non-profits, and ongoing professional development, we remain at the forefront of designing spaces that truly serve people.
From the earliest stages of concept development to the final touches of construction, we approach every project with a deep commitment to understanding the people who will use the space and the purpose it will serve. Whether it’s a school designed to inspire learning, a residential space that offers dignity and independence, or a community hub that brings people together, every design we create begins with one core belief: space is never neutral—it should always be good, do good, and make good.
We work closely with clients, stakeholders, and future users of the space to ensure that every project reflects their needs, vision, and values. Our process is thorough and responsive, balancing creativity with functionality, and ensuring that every design solution aligns with regulatory, environmental, and budgetary requirements while remaining flexible enough to adapt to future needs.
Women with secure homes escaping domestic violence
Specially designed homes for people with disability
People provided with affordable housing
Spaces for people of retirement age
We were proud to contribute to the development of SIGMAH, an innovative tool designed to measure the social impact of housing projects. Developed by the Community Housing Industry Association (CHIA) in collaboration with the Australian Social Value Bank and Swinburne University, SIGMAH provides a structured framework for assessing the broader benefits of social and affordable housing. As the only architectural firm involved in shaping this tool, we bring a deep understanding of its methodology and applications.
As part of our commitment to socially responsible design, we can offer Social Value Impact reviews for eligible projects. By integrating SIGMAH into our evaluation process, we help clients gain quantifiable insights into the social return on investment, ensuring that projects align with long-term community needs. The tool is most effective when detailed financial data, including quantity surveyor values, rental yield projections, and material costs, is available, enabling accurate assessments. We typically conduct this evaluation post-tender, once all relevant information is consolidated.
Our expertise with SIGMAH, combined with access to technical support, allows us to navigate complex project requirements and provide a clear picture of the social contribution each development makes.
Social impact is embedded in our approach from the very first conversation. Every project follows a process that ensures we listen, understand, and design with purpose.
We collaborate with stakeholders, future users, and communities, engaging every voice to deeply understand the needs behind the project. This informs our design of spaces for dignity, wellbeing and safety, ensuring they serve the people who use them.
We think beyond the immediate project, designing for long-term resilience, efficiency and future needs. And we use frameworks, like the SIGMAH tool above, to provide tangible insights into the social return on investment.
Good design should not only serve people today but sustain them into the future. That’s why we integrate sustainability and social responsibility into our projects from the ground up. Our approach to environmentally and socially responsible design includes smart material choices; energy-efficient design and adaptability for the future.
By aligning sustainability with social good, we design spaces that improve both quality of life and ongoing resilience and longevity.
We know that true impact is made together. That’s why we partner with not-for-profits, community organisations, developers and industry leaders who share our vision for socially responsibly architecture.
Our partnerships include:
