![Headshot of Christon Batey-Smith](jpg/christon-batey-smith_bw-269x269.jpg)
Melbourne
We strive to make a positive difference to the health and happiness of people’s lives through the quality of every environment we create.
At DesignInc Melbourne, we start with the premise: How can architecture improve people’s lives? It is our role and obligation as designers to add value to our clients’ projects by innovating with integrated architecture that is visually enriching, socially responsive and ecologically restorative.
We are a passionate architecture practice that is dedicated to creating healthy buildings in community infrastructure projects.
Our Melbourne studio is on Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung land.
Healthy buildings
We are motivated by projects that have the potential to make a difference to the world we live in. One of the questions we ask ourselves is ‘What makes a healthy building?’ Evidence shows that connecting people with nature in the built environment can significantly improve the health and wellbeing of the planet and of individuals. We are redefining what makes a healthy building and realising this fully in our projects.
Our people
Working from our studio at the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, in the old GPO building, we prioritise teamwork, wellbeing and healthy work practices. We value and respect our team of diverse and talented designers, architects, technicians and creatives by providing a supportive and inspiring place to work. Our organisational culture promotes positive role modelling and advocating for a socially just and environmentally responsible society. We prioritise the fostering connections of people and nature in every decision we make.
Our work
We are leaders in architecture for hospitals and laboratories, universities and schools, community and workplace projects. Taking a holistic approach to the built environment, our architectural and interior design expertise is complemented by our experience in master planning, feasibility studies, adaptive reuse, stakeholder engagement and strategic business case development. We work on projects at all phases and a range of scales. We are well-known as enthusiastic collaborators with our clients, consultants and other architecture firms.
We recognise our responsibility to bring the voice and wisdom of First Nations peoples into the design of our built environment. Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) sets out our commitment to consult with First Nations peoples so we can better understand and show respect to Aboriginal people and the Country our buildings will occupy.
Sustainability and the Climate Emergency
In January 2020, we became a signatory to the Australian Architects Declare Climate and Biodiversity Emergency and committed to becoming a carbon neutral business. Our efforts to reduce harm to the earth and all its inhabitants through our work and how we work are detailed in our Sustainability Action Plan (SAP). As we continue to focus on being a leading centre of excellence for ecologically sustainable design and regenerative design principles, we believe that integrating sustainability into all our projects is fundamentally important.
Learn more about our journey to carbon neutrality here.
View DesignInc Melbourne studio’s Sustainability Action Plan (SAP) here.
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Recent Awards
People
Projects
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Benalla P–12 College STEAM Centre and Library
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Cell and Gene Therapy Manufacturing Facility at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre
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Caulfield Grammar School Teaching and Learning Building
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Glenroy Community Hub
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Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership, East Melbourne
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