Our Archi-Science books WERE open - now CLOSED again
Back in Cotober 2023 we publicly opened our books for a few weeks. We were looking for people who wish to kick-off design sometime in 2024. Meetings with the people who contacted us then have now filled our pipeline until the end of 2024.
We only have capacity to commence 2-3 projects per month so be aware that we need to spread projects across the year. We manage our workload carefully to ensure we can offer you the quality integrated service we pride ourselves in.
Its also important to understand that you need to allow at least six months for the full design process and that we don’t control builder availability so construction may not be able to start for a few to several months after that. Construction time frames seem to be shortening again (post-pandemic) but depending on the scale of your project it is still likely to be 8-12 months (we miss the days when six months was common for our projects; these days there are more likely to be climate-related delays). All of that means that you need to be mentally prepared for the design-build process to take at least 18 months… and that planning on two years is safer. If you can’t face that or the indicative construction costs below (under priority project types) then design-build is probably not something you should consider.
THE PROCESS OF BECOMING A LIGHT HOUSE CLIENT
We put a lot of time and effort into collecting information from people to ensure we (you the prospective clients, your project and the Light House team) are a good match. There are a few steps we have to go through (online survey to collect your brief, online meeting, fee proposal preparation, acceptance of fee proposal and proposed start date which may be several months later) and there is no guarantee we can fit everyone in for an initial meeting.
The process last year was: Once the books have been open for two weeks (from today until midnight on the 10th October), Jenny and senior staff then review all of the responses — this alone is a BIG job. We don’t want to keep people hanging. Our aim is to review all of the surveys by the end of October. We then provide some feedback and/or schedule a free initial online meeting so that we can find out more about each other and we can prepare you a well-considered fee proposal. Please note it may take three to four months just to get through all of these meetings (we still have a business to run and current clients to look after).
The process now is: We will try to get back to you within a week or so of receiving your online project description (via the link below)
PRIORITY PROJECTS FOR LIGHT HOUSE — ARE YOU A GOOD FIT?
The public’s enthusiasm for quality, comfortable, energy efficient homes has also forced us to more clearly outline the sorts of projects we love. If your future project fits one of these descriptions below we will be keen to hear from you.
If energy efficiency and space efficiency are not high on your agenda… then we may not be the right match for you. Also note, that if you are wanting to do thermal upgrades, update your kitchen and bathroom/s, and improve the joinery/storage in bedrooms and living areas, then you should to talk to an interior designer and use our science-only services. Our integrated archi-science service involves structural changes to the home — we’re not suggesting all homes need that (far from it!), we’re just saying our archi-science service isn’t the right match if your home is otherwise good and just needs upgrades within its existing layout. Don’t miss the chance to do the thermal upgrades as you renovate though - that’s where our stand-alone science services come in.
As you read below, please understand that we do not control construction costs and we are not a construction company. However, we have a lot of data on construction costs because we design and tender around 30 Archi-Science projects per year. We also pride ourselves on making sure our clients are very well-informed. We will tell you the things you don’t want to hear but need to know — it’s much better you know now than at the end of design process. Costs have increased massively over the last few years. Sadly, it does not matter what your friend had their place built for 2, 3 or 4 years ago… those prices do not exist anymore (for ANY type of home, not just sustainable homes). Please see these two instagram posts — here and here.
If you live beyond our close Canberra region (defined by us as the 30km radius from our office at Fyshwick Markets which extends to Burra, Bungendore, Bywong , Wallaroo and Gundaroo) then sadly we are not the right match. We suggest some of the fantastic firms that specialise in rural architecture in NSW.
Significant reno/retrofits that work within the existing footprint of a home
Do you really need to extend?
See examples like these — Theodore House, Little Loft House, Fabode, Bamford, Vasey — and understand that in Canberra these projects now require construction budgets of $500k+ (its not cheap but its a lot more affordable than a new home and of course has a MUCH lower embodied energy/carbon budget).
These projects require a full architectural process and are quite different to our science-only services.
New builds* that are genuinely space-efficient and prioritise landscape design and connection to outdoors over a bigger footprint
Do you want a productive garden that provides summer shade… or three living areas?
Our 3 bedroom + multi-room family homes are typically 150 - 170 square metres (excluding carports and outdoor areas) and have comprehensive construction contract prices (*including carports and outdoor areas) in the $800 - $950k range.
If you think you must have a 200+m2 home for a family of 4 then we may not be the firm for you (if you are a large or muti-gen family then yes, we get it). We’re actually working on some fabulous family homes that are even smaller than 150m2 (and cost less than $750k)… and some multi-gen homes that are a slightly more than 200m2.
None of our team live in big houses (check those facts here). Since this story, Jenny has down-sized to a 100m2 apartment.
(*on vacant land or blocks where the existing house really doesn’t have potential - we’re very good at helping people judge that.)
Flexible designs
Could your new or existing family home function as two residences? Can you age-in-place? Can you share resources with others? Are you interested in clever higher density living? Do you own a block >=800m2 and would you like to build a small second home =120m2 and then separately title the residences?
These projects can range from small secondary residences to complex new builds or major renovation extensions so providing indicative build costs here is hard (we provide that feedback once we know more about the nature of your particular project).
Check out this webinar for examples.
NOTE: we are not developers but we are keen to partner with people who want to do clever co-housing so reach out if you are lucky enough to own some land that you think could be used cleverly and sustainably to house multiple groups.
REMEMBER
We are just a small business not a government agency. We can’t take on every project and we are not obliged to meet with everybody. Filling out our survey does not guarantee a free initial meeting with us. An initial meeting does not guarantee a design slot. Only your acceptance of our fee proposal and the time slot we have available is what confirms your place on our pipeline.
If you like what we do and think your projects aligns with our philosophy and you are realistic about timeframes and costs then there is VERY high chance we will have a great chat sometime soon and that you will become a vital member of our team for a year or so (we can’t do what we do without great clients) and a life-long member of the Light House family.TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROJECT
If you have made it this far [and promise us that you have read everything above :-) ] and would like to work with the Light House team then please fill out our online project brief survey.
Warm wishes,Jenny and all of the amazing Light Hoosers*
(*There are 17 of us keeping this show on the road; we are a friendly bunch who do our best to make the whole process stress-free and fun… AND we are not shy about using data to explain some often hard truths when your brief and budget do not align).