THE FEED - StruXi Design

Four Projects. Five Awards.

Mon, 09 Nov 2026 04:19:30 GMT

On 6th August, four very different StruXi projects walked away with five wins at the 2026 Building Design Queensland South West Regional Design Awards, across commercial, interiors, industrial, and residential.

The BDQ Design Awards recognise excellence across the Building Design profession, with projects assessed against the fundamentals of aesthetics, functionality, buildability, durability and value .

Bingara Administration Hub for Gwydir Shire Council

Winner – New Commercial Building Over $5M
Winner – Commercial Interiors
Builder – Shay Brennan Constructions.

Bingara Administration Hub was recognised for both the building and its interiors, making it a standout result for the team across two distinct areas of Building Design.

The new hub brings Council administration, Chambers, Customer Service and Visitor Information together in a single, accessible facility, creating a clearer and more welcoming experience for staff and the community.

Local history remains embedded throughout the design. The retained Memorial Hall façade and Rising Sun crest anchor the new entry, while salvaged brick, locally inspired materials and interior detailing carry connections to the site and Bingara throughout the building.

The building and its interiors we re designed together to support the people who work there, the community it serves and the history carried forward through the projects.

Master Builders Toowoomba

Winner – Commercial Alterations and Additions
Builder – Northbuild Construction

Master Builders Toowoomba was recognised in the Commercial Alterations and Additions category.

The existing office was reimagined as a contemporary workplace and member hub, with much of the original structure retained while the floor plan was completely reconsidered. The result brings together staff, members, training and collaboration spaces in a more flexible and welcoming environment.

Stormwater, accessibility, traffic noise, Toowoomba’s western sun and south-westerly winds all shaped the design, with practical solutions incorporated across the building, façade and entry.

BBFS Development

Winner – Industrial Building Design
Builder – DJ Buckley Builders

BBFS Development received the award for Industrial Building Design.

Designed as a staged redevelopment, the project brings together five independent tenancies, including a purpose-built workshop, showroom and office for All Doors. The existing building was retained and incorporated into the development, with two new structures introduced across carefully planned stages.

The project takes the familiar industrial shed beyond a purely utilitarian building. Robust steel construction is paired with disciplined detailing, a refined material palette, generous natural light and clear circulation to create high-quality workplaces with a strong street presence.

Existing sewer infrastructure, the neighbouring railway corridor, flooding, steep terrain and heavy vehicle access all influenced the planning of the site. Flexibility was built in from the outset, allowing the development to accommodate different businesses and evolve as requirements change.

Lochel Residence

Winner – Residential Renovation Up to $750K

Builder – Nicholas Andrew Constructions

Lochel Residence was recognised in the Residential Renovation Up to $750K category.

A largely original home was carefully reworked for contemporary family living, with stronger connections to the garden, better use of natural light and a more intuitive flow through the house.

New living spaces, a fourth bedroom and additional outdoor areas were introduced while maintaining the character, scale and detailing of the original home.

The result feels like a natural evolution of the original home.

Different projects, different answers. All winners, same result.

There are plenty of ways to measure 21 years Designing Buildings. This is one we’re particularly proud of.

Five awards across four projects reflect the experience and capability of our team across commercial, interiors, industrial and residential Building Design.

Our communities need places to live, work, gather and do business. That variety continues to shape the work we do.

Congratulations to our clients, project teams and everyone involved in bringing these projects to life.

Celestial Winter has arrived

Fri, 31 Mar 2023 02:16:00 GMT

The vernal equinox is an astronomical event that occurs twice a year, in March and September, when the Earth's axis is perpendicular to the Sun's rays, causing day and night to be of approximately equal length.

In the Southern Hemisphere, the March equinox marks the beginning of autumn and occurs around March 22. This is when the tilt of the Earth's axis is not tilted toward or away from the Sun. As a result, the Sun's rays shine directly over the equator, causing an equal amount of sunlight to fall on the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. This is also the two days when the sun truly rises in the east and sets in the west. From Equiniox until Winter solstice the suns path moves further south and the sun’s maximum azimuth reduces each day.

Building design can take into account the solstice by considering the path of the Sun during these times of the year. In particular, the orientation of a building can have a significant impact on its energy efficiency and comfort levels for occupants.

For example, in temperate Australia, it is often desirable to design buildings with large north-facing windows to allow for maximum solar gain during the winter months, when the Sun is at a lower angle in the sky. This can help to reduce heating requirements and lower energy costs.

Conversely, during the summer months, when the Sun is at a higher angle in the sky, it is important to minimize solar heat gain to prevent the building from overheating. This can be achieved through the use of shading devices such as eaves, overhangs, and blinds, as well as through the use of reflective or low-emissivity glazing.

By taking into account the path of the Sun during these times of the year, designers can create more energy-efficient and comfortable buildings that respond to the local climate and environment.

Did you know that the equinox determines when Easter is celebrated?

The solstice and Easter are two separate events with different origins and meanings. However, there is a historical connection between them in some cultures and religious traditions.

Easter, is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. It is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the vernal equinox.

The connection between the solstice and Easter can be traced back to the early Christian church, which adopted many pagan traditions and practices in an effort to convert people to Christianity. The vernal equinox was a significant event in many ancient cultures, as it marked the beginning of spring and the rebirth of nature. The early Christians chose to celebrate Easter around the same time as the vernal equinox to symbolize the resurrection of Jesus as a new beginning and a rebirth of spiritual life.

In some cultures, such as the Scandinavian countries, the solstice and Easter are still closely linked. In these traditions, the spring equinox is celebrated with the lighting of bonfires to drive away evil spirits and welcome the return of the sun. This celebration is known as Ostara or Eostre, which is where the modern name "Easter" may have originated.

REFERENCES

NASA. (2021). Spring Equinox. Blogs. Retrieved 02 May. 2023, from https://blogs.nasa.gov/Watch_the_Skies/wp-content/uploads/sites/193/2021/03/seasons.en_.jpg.

Antara Studios

Thu, 06 Oct 2022 00:30:00 GMT

A building and project with a story to tell

After working on a few community focused projects, Breearna realised that this is where her passion is. So, when Amy first approached us, Owen knew that she was the right person for the job. Breearna and Owen spent roughly 18 months working with Amy trying to find the perfect building to be Antara's home. Eventually, 299 Ruthven Street emerged as the right space to bring the Antara vision to life.

Antara Studios is a place that fosters mental clarity and emotional support. Somewhere that the community can come together to practice yoga, pilates, and meditation. These traditional practices have stood the test of time and so too has this building. It is estimated to be over 140 years old and has been home to a motor mechanic, a Turkish restaurant, administration office, and a dance studio, to name a few. It also withstood severe flooding in the 2011 floods, a fire, a huge infrastructure expansion and massive commercial developments nearby. It has endured so much over the last century, and we are extremely grateful to have played a part in the adaptation of the space to support the next chapter of its life.

The juxtaposition of old and new is nowhere more apparent than within the foyer and change rooms on the ground floor. The building itself is now a metaphor for the refreshment of mind and body that occurs within the walls. Entering the building a person may feel tired and stressed, much like the original parts of the building, epitomised by the screen fabricated from worn timber salvaged from the building. As one ventures further into the building the old gives way to new materials and light airy spaces where the worries of the day melt away.

At the 2022 BDQ + James Hardie State Design Awards , the project was awarded the Best Commercial Renovation – what an honour! Breearna’s night got even better as her hard work and passion for design resulted in her receiving the Emerging Building Designer award.

Words from our Client:

“If you would have it, it was fate that I was meant to work with the StruXi team. They impressed me with their integrity and honesty right from the word go. They were very approachable, and very easy to work with. We encountered a lot of hiccups, a lot of bumps on the road and they never made me feel like there wasn’t a solution that was going to benefit us and everybody else involved.”

2021 State Award Winners

Fri, 15 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT

We are extremely lucky to have the opportunities to work on some truly amazing projects. This year at the Building Design Queensland (BDQ) State Design Award, the StruXi team was honoured to receive three state wins.

· Carnival Lane for Best Special Project
· Warwick Solar for Best Public Building
· SQRH for Peter Modini Memorial Award for Commercial Projects

We acknowledge and thank the project owners and builders (Toowoomba Regional Council, University of Queensland, SQRH, Taddio Building Group and McNab) for giving us the freedom to deliver three outstanding projects.

Warwick Solar

Wed, 06 Oct 2021 08:00:00 GMT

We were proud to receive the Best Public Building award at the recent Building Design Queensland (BDQ) State Design Awards. This award is for the Warwick Solar Farm Visitor Centre that we designed for the University of Queensland in 2019. This is an amazing accomplishment not only for our Client and StruXi, but mainly for Breearna, one of our young designers who took point on this project.

StruXi was engaged by the University to assist them with the design of their proposed visitor centre at the Warwick Solar Farm. Owen saw this as a great opportunity to introduce Breearna to the role of project designer.

Breearna has been with the StruXi team since January 2016, starting with us straight out of school. Throughout the past five years, she has demonstrated herself to be an important part of the StruXi team. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Architecture through Queensland University of Technology (QUT) and will graduate at the end of 2022.

Breearna has experienced various roles within StruXi. Commencing as building design cadet, she then accepted the position of technical & administration assistant. This role provided her insight to another part of the business. It educated her in understanding how budgets, timelines and design briefs came together and affected the entire design process. Knowing this side of the job better prepared her to become the designer she is today.

As her studies progressed, it became more important to have a hands-on design role and her interest has become focused on people centric design of commercial spaces. She first discovered this interest while assisting Owen through the design process for the Australian Industry Trade College Ipswich campus. When the opportunity to design the UQ Warwick Solar Farm Visitor Centre presented, we decided it was time for Breearna to lead a project. Great result. Since then, she has continued to take on a guided design leadership role within the business.

Breearna has an edge when it comes to a challenging project. She is determined when it comes to finding ways to make the Clients vision come to life. Owen noticed her determination and interest in these projects, and decided that he would provide her more opportunities to explore her passion. Breearna recently worked closely with our Client to produce an outstanding result for the Antara Studios redevelopment of 299 Ruthven Street.

With minimal assistance from Owen, Breearna is currently managing the design for a major renovation at Fitzy’s Toowoomba, UQ Boyce Gardens and the Glenvale Christian School masterplan.

A letter from Owen - Value in Mentoring

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 08:00:00 GMT

I think mentoring is a really great learning tool that helps the student and the mentor with long-term career development. We have found that the most valuable method of mentoring comes from employing students within the business. Eight of the Twelve StruXi team members (including myself) are all studying. That’s three-quarters of our staff that spend at least some of their time outside of work, studying. I am studying an Access Consulting Certificate; Bree is studying a Bachelor of Architecture; Jack, Ethan, Mitchell, and Raph are studying Building Design; and Lauren is studying Digital Media.

Working in the industry has the potential to be highly beneficial for students as it gives them an advantage over those who aren’t. It gives them real-life experience in the field, plus they have unlimited access to people who have been working in the industry for over 30 years. These mentors have a wealth of knowledge and skills to share and guidance to give when students are working on assignments or find things from their courses that they might not fully understand and want more clarification on, which they can delve into more deeply in a hands-on approach than that of what a professor is able to provide in the classroom.

Ethan won the BDAQ 2020 Student Design Award and recently earned a coveted commendation in the Lysaght Inspirations Design Awards.

We see a massive value in studio time when learning design, which goes back to what we talked about collaboration in our last blog. Having the opportunity to meet with your peers and discuss what was done, why it was done, identify the issues and workshop solutions is a great way to learn. We do this frequently, especially on bigger projects, the whole team might not always be involved in the studio, but there is always at least 4 or 5 of us gathered around the round table to discuss issues and solutions of a project thoroughly.

From my perspective, working on real jobs with real deadlines and real people’s money and livelihoods at stake takes the learning to a level that is a step above what you get asked to do in the classroom. At work, there is a real consequence throughout the design process for each decision you make.

The industry says that it wants ‘job-ready’ graduates and universities are trying to produce ‘job-ready’ graduates, but I don’t like that the expectations of both parties are perhaps not always being delivered. Does ‘job-ready’ mean they are ready to join the workforce and start to learn how to do their job? I believe this is the realistic expectation/outcome.

What do you mean by a ‘job-ready’ graduate? Because I’m hearing the industry say that they want a graduate to come out of Tafe/University and be 110% ready to sit at a desk independently and manage and design a project from start to finish without any guidance. This is an unreasonable expectation. There isn’t enough time or enough exposure to real-world scenarios in education to be able to produce somebody who is a ‘job-ready’ graduate.

What are we doing? By employing students and encouraging our staff to become students and mentors, we are bridging that gap between the expectation and the reality. We have in-built mentoring for all our employees, providing better learning outcomes by working in the industry. Learning with consequences makes it very real. I’m giving something back to the industry that has given me a job for the last 30 years. I enjoy helping people get better at what they do and sharing my knowledge, especially when it is to do with something that I’m really quite passionate about.

Your education generally teaches you how to find the information you’ll need when you are ready to start learning how to do your job. The more you know, the more you realise that you don’t know. That’s my view on it.

I’d love to see more people in the industry take on students and put effort into supplementing their education so that they can be job-ready graduates.

- Owen

Teamwork & Collaboration

Thu, 01 Apr 2021 08:00:00 GMT

At StruXi, we believe that the strength of our team is due in no small part to the diversity of it’s members. We represent a variety of ages, experience, and backgrounds.

As a team, we work together to solve a range of problems by utilising the range of knowledge, experience and creativity that each team member brings. Our goal for utilising collaboration in the workplace is to maximise our chances of successful outcomes for all of our Clients, which in turn creates more success for StruXi as a business. Working in a team creates an environment where we are encouraged to share knowledge and work more efficiently and effectively. Each team member is a resource that contributes to better and wiser decisions.

Collaboration helps create an open environment where people feel valued and heard, contributing to a healthy company culture. When working within a team of individuals with different skill sets, you are able to solve problems more creatively and effectively and cover any blind spots that a particular individual might miss. Working together creates a tremendous opportunity for individuals to learn from each other. Collaboration requires feedback and viewpoints from a variety of individuals, encouraging personnel to expand their skills more rapidly by spending time with those who have different ideas, knowledge, and experience to them. When people are continually updated with new information, it continues the momentum and creates a constant innovation cycle that can accelerate new and creative solutions.  On occasions, an individual can become focused on a problem. The big picture gets buried, and they are unable to find an adequate solution. By utilising our team members, a solution to the problem is easier to identify and make connections between various ideas to the bigger picture. When people work together openly, processes and goals become more aligned, leading the team towards a higher success rate of achieving a common goal.

The benefits we have found by utilising teamwork and collaboration:
· Promotes problem-solving.
· Spurs innovation.
· Connects the team to the bigger picture.
· Boosts learning and skill-sharing.
· Increase personnel satisfaction.
· Creates a higher success rate of achieving common goals.

At StruXi, we encourage our staff to utilise teamwork and collaboration for all projects they work on. We seek to understand problems, propose solutions, test theories and assess results. And then do it again. Each time, the problems become clearer, and the list of possible solutions diminishes, as some are discarded, and others are further developed.

And that’s a wrap

Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:00:00 GMT

Reflecting on the year that passed we realised that 2020 took a lot of us by surprise. However, StruXi was blessed enough to kick a few goals still whilst the world was in overdrive.

The year started with our country literally on fire. Some places a little too close to home. Unfortunately, our team wasn’t able to offer much help to the devasted communities that lost their homes and businesses. We did our best and signed up to the QBCC Bushfire Relief Register – offering our services to those who needed our assistance to rebuild their family or business homes.

Another curveball of 2020 was the worldwide pandemic. Our staff were some of the lucky ones who only had to endure working from home for a month. After the month mark, the team started slowly returning to the office unless they were unwell. New procedures and processes were implemented to ensure the safety of not only our staff but our clients, consultants and anyone who visits our office.

Despite the chaos, we still (virtually) attended our regional and state design awards. We brought home six regional awards – (3 x Residential Renovation Awards, 1 x Best Heritage Design, 1 x Best Special Project and 1 x Industrial Building) and one state award – (Best Heritage Design).

We produced some stunning designs for our Client’s, successfully contributing to our community’s streetscape and now have some beautiful photos of the favourites that were brought to life by local builders. We are secretly holding out for next year when all the fantastic residential designs done by Robin hit handover. You can see more details on these projects via our project portfolio under the ‘ Portfolio ’ tab.

2020 also saw us say goodbye to one of our longest standing employee’s – Erin. We also welcomed a new school-based cadet, Raph, following Mitchell’s graduation. Raph joined us for his work experience work in 2019 and decided that he couldn’t get enough of the StruXi vibe.

StruXi turned 15!!! A massive achievement for a small business in a competitive industry. Hat’s off to Owen for leading the ship and cheers to another 15 more!

Other 2020 Achievements:
· We opened an online store for minor services.
· We won over 130 new projects throughout the year!
· We saw a massive rise in the residential market and WE KEPT UP!
· A lot of our processes were updated for the ‘new’ world order
· We bought a new coffee machine, and it is fancy, so make sure you ask for a coffee next time you visit us.

The StruXi team had a fantastic year in many different aspects of their lives. Owen’s firstborn graduated from university, two of Peter’s major projects reached completion (Central Depot and Carnival Lane), Robin survived a massive increase in residential projects following the announcement of the new home building grant incentives. Marc started taking landscape photos again. Jack survived his first year of university. Ethan won the 2020 Student Design Award – go Ethan! Nathan is excited that after 8 years of talking and developing, Cyberpunk 2077 was finally released. Bree completed her second year of her Bachelor of Architecture – only two more to go! Mitchell is proud of how far he has come with producing our concept renders. Bec turned 21 and Lauren married her sweetheart – congrats Loz!

We thank you for your ongoing support throughout the whole of 2020 and look forward to seeing you all in the new year.

Biophilic Design

Sat, 31 Oct 2020 08:00:00 GMT

Biophilic Design embraces the concept that the integration of nature and natural elements into the built environments enhance the experience, happiness and wellbeing of the occupants of the space. These design principles are based on the idea that humans have a passive connection with nature which aids in their wellbeing. A connection with nature can be through the form of plants, running water, or wildlife sounds.

So what are the advantages of including nature in building design?

Whether its bringing pot plants into a room or integrating planting areas into a building, these design movements are quickly becoming more prevalent. Incorporating plants into the design of a building, within the greater urban context of a building, can lead to improved psychological and physiological welfare for people, and help to combat climate change.

Poor indoor air quality is known as one of the leading causes of sick building syndrome – refer to our ‘healthy & safe buildings’ blog post for more on this topic. Chemical pollutant build-ups have a massive impact on the quality of our indoor air. The introduction of plants can aid in the filtration of our indoor air. The photosynthesis process allows any carbon dioxide in the air to be absorbed and released as oxygen throughout the day.

Plants can also contribute largely to the thermal performance of a building. Larger species, like trees and hedges, can provide necessary shading during summer months. Plantation shading can reduce the surface temperature of materials largely, which in turn decreases the heat transfer to the internal spaces. When purposefully used in a building, this can lower the need to air-condition spaces, and further reduces the energy consumption.

The construction of buildings requires the use of many materials that amount to a carbon debt gained from the embodied energy of the materials. These planting regions on the site or building result in lowering the carbon footprint a building has.

The integration of plants into homes and offices, allow their occupants to better connect with nature. Connecting humans with biophilic principles shows that, by the introduction of plants into work environments, particularly offices, helps boost productivity. Research proves that employees who work in environments that have either pot plants or views to plantation areas report increased job satisfaction and reduced sick days, stress levels and anxiety.

The end product of incorporating planting into the design of a building creates a more comfortable living or working place that avoids any damaging effects of sick building syndrome. Furthermore, the environmental contribution to the climate and surrounding areas means for any building; it is imperative to incorporate some degree of organic plant life.

Healthy & Safe Buildings

Wed, 30 Sep 2020 08:07:00 GMT

Sick Building Syndrome is used to describe health-related issues suffered by people working or living in buildings that have environmental issues present. Environmental issues causing these symptoms can be from things like harsh lighting, poor ventilation, air pollutants, excessive noise, and uncomfortable temperatures.

Symptoms attributed to being in a sick building can include:
• headaches, nausea, body aches, dizziness, difficulty concentrating;
• runny nose, breathing difficulties, fever, chills, asthma, respiratory irritation;
• skin rashes, irritation to eyes, allergic flair-ups, nose bleeds, forgetfulness.

These symptoms are sometimes mistaken for the common cold or allergies.

Building materials, particularly newly installed items, are prone to emit Volatile Organic Compounds produced throughout the life of the product. Materials include:
• paints; carpets; assorted floor products – vinyl, laminated timber, composite; caulks, sealants, and adhesives; some treated wood; varnishes; and synthetic fabrics.

These can significantly decrease the indoor air quality of a building and increase the severity of the Sick Building Syndrome issues.

Comfort and liveability in your home also play a large part in creating a mentally healthy environment. Factors including excessive noise from a nearby highway or thermal deficiencies make for uncomfortable living conditions. The interior design of spaces can also be a contributing factor when done incorrectly. These spaces can cause stress, psychosocial issues, and uncomfortable conditions among its occupants.

Further issues like water ingress can cause mould, which creates an even higher-risk environment for residents, especially those who have existing medical conditions or to younger children and can become increasingly hazardous if left unresolved.

A firm understanding of the contributing factors that cause environmental issues is vital in ensuring a home is not only livable but also safe for occupants to live in. Air circulation, passive heating and cooling and natural lighting of spaces all collectively should be factored into the design of a home or workplace.

Who is StruXi?

Mon, 31 Aug 2020 07:57:00 GMT

We are building designers. Professionals who design the functional and aesthetic components of a building. Usually, we are the lead consultant on a project. Our Clients vary from homeowners to corporations to government entities. We are also well known for being problem solvers.

These elements of our work are reflected in the name chosen for our business. StruXi is a Latin word that means “to put together, arrange, to pile up, to build, erect, construct; to devise, contrive for success”. Whilst it sounds like structure or construct, we are neither engineers nor builders. Our focus is very firmly on contriving, arranging, and facilitating the success of our Client’s projects.

We assist our clients by finding or creating new solutions to old problems. Design projects are personal and unique. We have the resources to manage many projects and a diversity of experience and knowledge that we can apply to resolve a range of problems. Our process includes being respectful of our Client’s budget while also assisting them to navigate the sometimes treacherous waters of compliance with planning, heritage, building codes and plumbing.

Our Clients are our first priority. Our company exists to solve the problem faced by our Clients. In achieving this, the Company believes our Clients value a professional relationship built on:
• courtesy and respect;
• delivery on promises;
• technically correct and complete work; and
• innovative solutions to old and new problems.

Here are some points on what these values mean to us.

Value #1 – courtesy and respect:
• Every project is important to us.
• We acknowledge those who are associated with the project.
• We are continuously focused on the fact that it’s our Client’s project and that it’s their needs, not ours that are in the forefront of our thinking.

Value #2 – delivery on promises:
• Say what we mean and do what we say.
• Set goals and do the work to achieve them.

Value #3 – technically correct and complete work:
• It’s important that whatever we deliver throughout the project is considered and reflective of all the constraints imposed by the brief and relevant legislations, minimising lost time and effort due to rework.

Value #4 – innovative solutions to old and new problems:
• Technology, products and processes change rapidly, but problems encountered in design and construction generally repeat themselves. Part of our task is to identify and implement new solutions to old problems.
• Collaborative working together with our experience and knowledge to create/find the most suitable and innovative solution to a problem

If you would like to know more or think that we may be able to assist you, please contact our team.

A Letter from Owen - 15 Years as StruXi

Fri, 31 Jul 2020 08:00:00 GMT

15 YEARS|179 MONTHS |782 WEEKS|5,475 DAYS |131,400 HOURS| 7,884,000 MINUTES

15 years as StruXi Design. This means a lot to me.  It has been challenging, heartbreaking and rewarding all at the same time. Many people have come and gone from my business and my life in the time that I have been here.  I have high expectations of what we can achieve and some have mistaken my determination for arrogance and that is okay because everyone has differing expectations. The business was created with the intention of being a place where our staff are respected and provided with opportunities to grow personally and professionally.  I started my career in this industry because I was provided with a chance at a time when I probably didn’t deserve it. I look to repay that opportunity by providing it to someone else. Some appreciate that more than others.

In 15 years we have employed 27 people, many of those have been school leavers. Some are still with us while others have gone on to further their careers elsewhere. For those that have left, I hope that we provided them with tools, resources and experience that will benefit them in their future. We facilitate work experience for no less than 12 high school students each year and offer a cadet program (that receives zero government support) for students in year 11 or 12 who want to get a head start into becoming a building designer. We currently have a team of twelve and are looking for the right person to help us to grow the business further. 

We are here in business to serve the needs of our clients. They are the only reason that we exist. We will do absolutely everything in our power to provide the best outcome for our clients.  I don’t deal well with bureaucracy for the sake of bureaucracy. We have rules in society and generally, they are there for the betterment and protection of society however there are times in our industry when those rules are applied to be obstructionist, not helpful. Our job is to navigate through this for our clients and assist them in achieving sensible and sustainable outcomes for their homes or business. In those 15 years, we have completed almost 1600 projects. We have won 2 National Design Awards, 1 National Commendation, 14 State Design Awards, 54 Regional Design Awards and 1 Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Award.

We make a conscious decision to support local sport and not for profit organisations regularly through sponsorship and participation and I am very proud of some of our achievements. We were part of the Bloom House Flip that raised funds for the Bloom Asia Foundation.  We donated to and supported Careflight while they were working to establish their Toowoomba and Roma bases. We sponsored Toowoomba Bears Rugby Club in one way or another continuously for over 12 years.  We have provided sponsorship to Toowoomba Grammar School, St Mary's College, The Leukemia Foundation, Sunrise Way Rehabilitation, Toowoomba Hospital Foundation and MND & Blush Breast Cancer.  We sponsor and participate in the annual Mother's Day Classic in Toowoomba. I have been Treasurer, President, junior coach, team manager and Downs Rugby representative for Toowoomba Bears Rugby Club. I am currently serving as State President of the Building Designers’ Association of Queensland.

We will continue to develop our people and our business.  Growing our knowledge and experience to serve our Clients continuously throughout their projects.  I am looking forward to the next 15 years and what they may bring.

- Owen

Prescribed Building Work

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 08:00:00 GMT

Don’t get trapped thinking you don’t need building approval because you are just moving a few internal walls.

Planning some renovation or fit-out work that doesn’t require a Building Approval? Wow, what a bonus. Saving both money and time. You don’t need to pay council fees, probably don’t even need to get a design team on board. That’s where you could be wrong. Simply because you are carrying out works inside an existing building doesn’t mean that you don’t need to follow the rules and you could still require building approval – perhaps even a planning approval and could well be a plumbing approval. Creating a compliant design is more complex than you might first believe and there are many elements that need to be taken into consideration. Most significantly fire safety. Distance to, the number of, width and how exits are constructed. If you do need building approval then you may need to further consider access for people with disabilities, the number of toilets and the structural integrity of the building.

The most important element of your design is to ensure that it actually meets the functional needs of the people that will be using it without compromising any of the above. Whilst the process might seem daunting, getting some early advice can ensure that you start the process completely aware of the requirements that you need to meet and ensure that you don’t end up with a non-compliant or worse, an unsafe building for your staff and customers.

StruXi has many years of experience and is available to assist either with a full design service or some casual advice. All we require is a few key points describing your business needs and activities.

Contact our office for an appointment to discuss your specific needs on 07 4638 4658 or struxi@struxi.com.au

It’s More than Design

Sun, 31 May 2020 08:16:00 GMT

We are here to assist our Client’s to achieve an outcome that fits their need. Sometimes that need is not what they believe at the outset, and that is where our team becomes an asset to the project.

We are known as problem solvers. Our team is passionate about design and we design for both aesthetics and functionality. StruXi Design aims to provide a quality and reliable service to our Client’s every time. Our first priority is, and always will be, our Client’s.

Design projects are personal and unique. We have the resources to manage many projects with our diversity of experience and knowledge that we can apply to resolve a range of problems.

StruXi’s team works collaboratively together to create custom designs for our Clientele. The context of the site aspect, topography and views are taken into consideration on every design produced by our team. Another significant factor is the people that inhabit the site, what they do and how they do it. An important component of any design is to spend time with our Client to understand how they live or work.

Years of experience have taught us that the people at the top are not always the ones who truly understand what goes on. This can be applicable to a residential project, just as much as a commercial or industrial project.

Once we understand how the building needs to function, we then need to create an aesthetic that is appropriate and responsive to the site. Our process includes being respectful of our Client’s budget while also assisting them to navigate the sometimes-treacherous waters of compliance with planning, heritage, building codes and plumbing. Typically, StruXi is the single point of contact for our Clients and we assist them in procuring the support of other specialists that may be needed to complete the project, such as Surveyors, Engineers, Planning Consultants, Landscape Architects, and other specialty consultants.

After the design is complete and all the approvals are in place, we are still by your side to support you with selecting your builder and assisting with the minor (and the major) decisions throughout the build process.

Most Building Designers move mountains to convince you to use their services based only on their skills and experience, and while those are both extremely important aspects to a design project, StruXi’s approach is a little different. Whilst we have both the skills and the experience, our main focus is working hard to make sure that our Client’s know, no matter what size their project is (big or small), their vision and project are important to us.

Our Rendering Services

Thu, 30 Apr 2020 08:03:00 GMT

Have you noticed our social media posts lately? Specifically, those showing off our rendering capabilities. We have been working on this for a while to polish the quality of our work. We choose to complete our visualisations in house. Not only does this give our design team better control of the output, importantly it provides employment and training for our staff.

We have invested in software that enables the creation of high-quality 3D renders for our projects. This gives StruXi the ability to assist our Client’s visualization of their project. The program allows us to produce realistic concept illustrations and walkthroughs. All of these options add a layer of understanding for Clients, which can sometimes be difficult to imagine through a typical set of plans produced in Revit.

3D modelling changed the way that design works by providing the ability to interrogate a building as it is being designed. Rendering opportunities such as this add the next layer of detail, allowing our Client’s to understand the outcomes as they are being created.

What to expect from your commercial building designer

Tue, 31 Mar 2020 07:57:00 GMT

Great design knowledge and experience forms the basis for successfully finding a Commercial Building Designer who delivers results.

It’s one of the main (and most important) parts to get right when starting a new build project.  When choosing your Building Designer, make sure they have experience specifically in commercial design, because there are major factors that separate commercial buildings and residential.

A commercial building project is going to have a completely different scope to a residential home build – as it should.

Commercial building projects are generally larger, so there is more room for issues to arise.  The importance of on-the-job experience, knowing what problems to potentially spot before they affect the delivery chain, and understanding how to resolve them is vital.

Building Designers don many hats, from project manager to minute detail inspector.  They have plenty of tricks up their sleeves to deliver a quality building.

When working with commercial projects, a professional Building Designer will tailor a space specifically for your exact needs.  Whether this is in a retail area, office space or any kind of commercial environment it will be measured and made to fit your unique requirements.

Working within a budget, they will not only will they produce an attractive space but a functional and productive build using a combination of successful elements.

Designing a practical workplace also comes with the responsibility of designing a safe workplace, which is something all professional Commercial Building Designers take into consideration when taking on a project.

If you’re struggling to get council building permissions or permits, they can assist you here too.

By listening to your ideas, building designers can work within your budget to create exactly what you need.  Remember, they want you to be an active participant for the entire process: from telling them your needs, to your wanting to make any changes.  After the initial consultation, always ask them to show you their portfolio, pinpointing their specific capabilities.

The more experienced Designers will often shine new light on something you may not have considered for your own project.  Before you sign a written contract with them, make sure you are both fully aware of what the building design entails, down to the finest detail.

Whether it’s a small scale renovation or a brand new build, Building Designers are there for you from start to finish, overseeing everything that is happening at all stages. They provide skills that keep the operation running smoothly and take a huge weight off of your shoulders in regards to managing the construction team. They can also assist in dealing with permits, initial design and documentation.

Here at StruXi Design, we have over 55 years of experience of Building Design on the team, with our seniors having regularly worked on high profile commercial sites.  They are without doubt assets to our Award Winning team.

If you’re looking for somebody to take the stress out of your next project, delivering quality, experience and expertise, please contact us today.

2019 - Our Year in Review

Fri, 31 Jan 2020 08:03:00 GMT

Welcome to our first blog for 2020. Another year has passed and boy was it a big one! Having the chance to reflect on 2019 over the Christmas break, StruXi has certainly come a long way and we have been able to achieve some amazing goals over the past twelve months.

Reflecting on the year that’s passed is a great way to see how far we have come and to help set our goals for the year ahead.

2019 was an exciting year for the StruXi team.

We are grateful to have the opportunity to work on many incredible projects. 2019 saw StruXi receive ten awards at the Building Designers Association Design Awards (Regional, State and National). At the State Design Awards held in July, StruXi came away with the premier award for Commercial Project of the Year (The Longs Quarter Redevelopment) for the second consecutive year after winning this category in 2018 for The Laundry Street Redevelopment. This then saw StruXi represented at the National Design Awards, where we were fortunate enough to also receive the Best Alteration / Additional Commercial Design for The Longs Quarter Redevelopment.

We produced some truly magnificent designs for our client’s that contributed to our community’s streetscape and now have some wonderful photos of the favourites that were brought to life by local builders. You can see more details on these projects via our project portfolio under the ‘Porfolio’ tab.

2019 also saw the StruXi team welcome three new staff members. Ethan and Mitchell both joined the design team in February, while Bec our lovely receptionist joined us in April. Growing the team has allowed us to take on a larger workload and allowed us to expand our rendering skills and capabilities to help assist our client’s in having a more visual experience with their project.

Other 2019 achievements:
•   StruXi turned 14
•   We celebrated being in our new office for one year
•   Purchased our first 3D Laser Scanner (affectionately known as LuLu)
•   Published our new website
•   Owen finally installed our new whiteboard

The StruXi team had an amazing year in many different aspects of their lives. Owen turned 50, Peter’s family grew by one (a beautiful baby granddaughter), Mitchell graduated high school, Bree turned 21, Robin spent 3 weeks in Italy celebrating his birthday (we were all very jealous), Jack booked a WHOLE month-long Europe Tour for 2020, Nathan got the news he was going to be an uncle for the 7th time (due April 2020), Marc taught his cockatiel to stand on his shoulder, Ethan took his boys on weekend trips to the Gold Coast & Brisbane, Bec went on her first trip overseas to New Zealand, Erin began renovating her family home and Lauren got engaged.

Before we all ran away from the office for the Christmas break, we celebrated the year that was as a team at Owen’s.

Renovations & Extensions to Your Existing Residence

Sat, 30 Nov 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Do you feel like your home no longer meets your needs, but you don’t want to leave behind the amazing memories you have created there? Maybe the neighbourhood is too good to turn your back on? Perhaps your home has become a little run down and needs some love. Renovating your home could be the most practical and cost-effective solution to all your problems. We can help you make this happen. Many designers don’t like designing renovations. The StruXi team enjoys working on renovations as we find them challenging and rewarding.

Our service range includes; home renovations, alterations & or extensions to existing residences. Large and small projects. This service is one of our most prevalent services to date. Not only do we provide you with the design of your dreams (within your budget), we also offer in-house management. This means, we determine the required consultants & manage them on your behalf. Including Engineers, Surveyors, Builders, Town Planners, Building Certifier etc.

We have completed numerous renovations some small and others requiring a complete rearrangement of the floor plan. Take a look at our gallery below of some before & after shots of projects we have completed.

If you are considering an update to your home, contact our office today & arrange an appointment with our contracts team. This initial meeting is complimentary and is used to ensure we know exactly what it is that you are after. We hope to hear from you soon!!

Renovate or build?

Mon, 30 Sep 2019 08:00:00 GMT

7 WAYS TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT ANSWER

So, you’re the proud owner of a home which could potentially be updated.

There’s space available on the block and you and your family want to update your home, making it more suitable for your lifestyle. Do you renovate your home?  Or do you knock it down to build a new, more modern home?  It can be a particularly hard decision, but there are a few questions you can ask yourself to gain some clarity into this dilemma.

Choosing renovation or building new – 7 ways to get the right answer, for you.

Check if your property has a character or heritage listing.
Are you allowed to knock it down? If you have a heritage home, you may not be able to do so, so it pays to check with your local council to see if any heritage restrictions apply.  Should this be the case, don’t stress – your building designer will be able to make clever and sympathetic design suggestions to deliver the optimal outcome which remains within regulations.  It pays to talk to a design firm with solid experience in renovations, along with a proven track record which is demonstrated through its history of award-winning projects!
Check your budget and understand that renovation will almost always cost more than a new build.
This is not a hard and fast rule.  However, the risk of unforeseen issues is almost guaranteed.  Having a building designer on board who has experience in renovations, and is more able to understand the issues that you may face and advise you accordingly, means that you reduce that risk as much as possible.  Having said that, a new house design and build is far easier to control in terms of costing and time-frames, especially if you have the right team.
Are you prepared to move out?
Sometimes it’s possible to remain in your home when you have renovations carried out.  Possible, but not always recommended, especially for the sake of your sanity.  If you determine you need to move out during the renovation, ensure you include the costs associated with alternate accommodation in your budget.
Do the research.
If you love the character and the history of the home and you want to stay in the neighbourhood, then renovating is a real option.  If you are seriously considering renovations, do the research on what is actually there in your home to start with.  How are the foundations? Is it structurally sound?  Are the services inadequate condition, or will there be replacements required?  Sometimes the love of the character outweighs the fact that renovation will cost more, but being armed with as much information as possible is always recommended.
What sells in your area?
What kind of area do you live in?  Is it full of renovated homes that are popular with buyers?  Or are you surrounded by new, modern homes which use a larger footprint on the block?  It’s worth talking to a building designer to see the potential, and then getting some ‘on-the-ground’ valuation advice from local real estate agents.  Find out what your home is worth now, what it would be worth after renovations, and what a new home would be valued at. It’s just a matter of doing the sums.
Why are you wanting to change your living surroundings?
If you understand the ‘why’, then you will be able to understand the ‘how’.  Are you wanting more light in your home? Do you need to add more bedrooms?  Are your kids growing up, and you want to remodel to suit your new lifestyle?  And then, what sort of home really connects with you – do you really like the idea of your home having a story, a history, some longevity?  Are you prepared to be flexible with some design issues depending on the existing structure?  Or are you someone who wants to live in a brand new modern family home – somewhere no-one else has ever lived before – and you know exactly what you want, no question?  Know why you want to upgrade, and know which sort of person you are – this will help you decide.
Is it possible to do both?
Does your property have a certain element which is structurally sound, which could form the basis of a new house?  Would it be possible to open up the core of the house, and add virtually a new house to it (depending on the boundary restrictions on your block – make sure to check with council)?  It’s worth having a reputable building designer take a look to see what is actually possible, and potentially work up some sketches, then costing it.

So ultimately, the more you know about what you want, and the sort of person you are, the easier you will find this decision.  And of course, if you need any advice or ideas, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Getting the Perfect Business Premises

Sat, 31 Aug 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Getting commercial building premises right the first time – by asking the right questions

If you are a progressive, ambitious business on the lookout for newer, bigger, better premises, how do you know that what you are buying or leasing will be suitable, nay perfect, for your business?

It’s a tricky one – no one can see into the future. However, there are some standard questions to ask, and some strict regulations to follow.

As the business owner or manager, ask yourself these questions about your next commercial building plans or office building plans:
•   Where should your business be? Location, location, location…
•   Are you looking for large volumes of passing traffic?
•   Do you need access to public transport?
•   Do you need a considerable amount of public parking?
•   Does your product need showroom space?
•   Do you require access for delivery vehicles?
•   Are you needing a workshop for maintaining vehicles?
•   Is office space more of a consideration rather than retail space?
•   What sort of customer facilities do you need?

And so on. The list can be endless, depending on the type of business you have. It’s vital to have a commercial building designer who knows exactly which of these questions to ask, which ones take priority, and how the answers all come together to result in a property that is perfect for your business.

From small commercial building design through to structural building design on a larger scale, the questions must be asked.

In terms of regulations? Your key responsibility as a building owner or occupier is to maintain the premise and its use in a lawful manner compliant with the relevant approvals that have been issued. There are more questions to be asked.

Such as, “do you have -”:
•   A relevant planning approval?
•   A relevant certificate of classification?
•   A compliant plumbing and drainage approval?
•   A trade waste permit?
•   An environmentally relevant activity approval?

And actually, which of these do you need?

As boring as legislation is, we need to follow it to the letter.  Particularly when it comes to commercial office building plans and designs.

The construction, use and maintenance of every building is government by more laws rules and regulations than we can list here. One thing we can simplify for you though is that all development work in Queensland is carried out under the framework set down by the Sustainable Planning Act. this replaces the Integrated Planning Act, that was introduced to streamline development practices but after 10 years of amendments, it was necessary to start again with the newly named legislation.

So let’s not get further into the regulation side of commercial building designs and office plans today. This article is about knowing which questions to ask when you are starting to look for that perfect place to house your business, the ideal office or retail space, so that all your processes and procedures can run smoothly, and your business can flourish.

If you need someone to help you ask the right questions, and understand the legislation for you, look no further, and get in touch. We are award-winning building designers, and we know how to make this journey far less stressful than it could be.

Premier Award Winner

Wed, 31 Jul 2019 09:15:00 GMT

We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to work on some amazing projects.  This year at the Building Designers Association of Queensland (BDAQ) State Design Awards, StruXi was honoured to receive the Premier Award for Commercial Project of the Year for The Longs Quarter redevelopment.  This is the second time that we have received this award after receiving the Award Last Year for The Laundry redevelopment.  We acknowledge and thank the project owners and builders (Longs Qtr Pty Ltd, Newlands Group and McNab) for giving us the freedom to deliver two outstanding projects.

We also received 2 State Category Awards where our designs had been judged against other award-winning projects.

Winner: Alterations/Additions - Commercial Buildings
Winner: Best Use of James Hardie Products

Earlier this year we received six awards at the BDAQ South West Branch Regional Design Awards in late May 2019.  These awards are;

Winner: Alterations/Additions - Commercial Buildings
Winner: Best Use of James Hardie Products
Winner: Best Heritage Design - New or Alterations/Additions
Winner: Commercial Interiors
Winner: Residential Alterations/Additions Houses - $350,001 to $800,000 Construction Cost
Winner: Residential Alterations/Additions Houses - up to $350,000 Construction Cost

Winner: Alterations/Additions - Commercial Buildings

Winner: Best Use of James Hardie Products

Winner: Best Heritage Design - New or Alterations/Additions

Winner: Commercial Interiors

Winner: Residential Alterations/Additions Houses - $350,001 to $800,000 Construction Cost

Winner: Residential Alterations/Additions Houses - up to $350,000 Construction Cost

Why building design should never be ‘cookie cutter’

Fri, 31 May 2019 07:50:00 GMT

When it comes to your next building design project, be it either residential or commercial, do you want a ‘cookie cutter’ approach?

Or do you want a building design and interior design firm to really, REALLY think it through for the best building design result?

We suspect you are looking for the latter – in which case, you’ve come to the right place.

Recently, we won the BDAQ Best Special Project Award for a slightly more unusual project, a Truckwash Facility for the Maranoa Regional Council. Initially, the council engaged us to develop a master plan strategy for the Roma Saleyards, for logistical and economic assessment.

During the course of identifying the potential for commercial and industrial uses traditionally compatible with the existing saleyard operations, the overwhelming need for an improved and updated Truckwash facility become apparent.

This is not a regular building design project, but then again, we are not your regular building designer firm.

Our curiosity into how this would actually work for the key stakeholder, how it would be the most efficient and effective structure, and how the design could add value to the overall operation came into play. We brought together the various user groups and consultative entities, and managed the design and construction. This means that we asked questions. A lot of questions. The sort of questions that drilled down to a level of detail which most firms might not consider.

Our belief is that if we ask the right questions, and marry excellent design with form, structure and the required process, the best possible building design result will ensue.

The result for this project? Capacity has increased by as much as 500% through the optimisation of vehicle movements throughout the site, and the individual wash time has reduced by half.

No matter what the project, whether it is a residential new home, a renovation, a commercial premises, or an industrial building design project, StruXi Design brings this curiosity and tenacity to the table – making sure that all the right questions are asked, listening to our clients, and really understanding what they are trying to achieve. It is a process of discovery, which forms the foundation for our research and analysis, leading to a building design solution which perfectly meets the brief.

If you are looking for a building designer partner who asks the right questions? You found one.

Get in touch today – we would love to start asking questions.

10 Tips on redesigning your office premises

Thu, 16 May 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Why Redesign the Office?

Some businesses simply wish to redesign their office space because it needs a little love and it hasn’t seen a lick of paint in a decade or so. But the power of a new workplace goes so much further than just ‘making it look better’.

A new environment for your employees can stimulate productivity and inspire creativity. Not only does it retain your current staff, but it could also attract new talent. On top of this, you could reduce running costs with equipment upgrades and eco-friendly features such as installing energy efficient lightbulbs and using alternative energy.

With all of the above in mind, it’s now becoming difficult to think of a reason why you shouldn’t redesign the office premises! So, here’s some 10 tips to keep in mind for your design project.

1 | Researching Office Trends
By starting off with some simple research, you could potentially save yourself a lot of time by finding out what’s working and not working for others. While doing so, you could also wind up with generous amounts of inspiration, and things that you may not have thought of before you started researching.

2 | Speak to Your Employees
Find out if there is anything in particular that your employees want to see. They may not be building designers, but they may have specific needs or ideas of which you aren’t aware.

3 | Make the Most of the Views
Use any natural light that you can. By removing blinds or even going as far as installing a skylight, you can completely open up a space, meaning your employees no longer feel boxed in and miles away from the outside world.

4 | Choosing the Right Colours
The colour of the office not only changes our mood, it also has an influence on the levels of productivity in the workplace. Green is known to be good for those who work long hours. It doesn’t cause eye fatigue and is generally a very calming colour, whereas red is known to increase the heart rate, promote energy and blood flow, and to invoke emotion and passion.

5 | Show Your Branding
Your employees need to be aware of your vision and values for the company. By showing your branding in the workplace, you’re showing dedication to your business. Branding goes much further than putting your logo on walls, it also shows your personality and characteristics. If you were to have any visitors to the office, branding also makes their experience more memorable.

6 | New Equipment & Resources
If you’re currently working in an office with outdated equipment and old resources, you’ll understand that it’s hard to stay motivated when completing simple tasks seems too difficult. By making a few simple upgrades, productivity in the workplace will increase, you’ll be saving money through energy efficiency, there will be better quality documents and with new technology, new computers and machines like photocopiers are much easier to use.

7 | Furniture
Once again, new office furniture is another sure way of boosting productivity in the workplace. It also looks pleasant, attractive and makes for a comfortable environment. Make sure to keep in theme with the colours you have chosen, and remember that too much furniture can start looking a little untidy.

8 | Storage 
Great storage keeps the office clutter-free, organised and productive. It saves time and is essential in order to securely retain and locate valuable files and documents.

9 | Placement of Work Stations
When rearranging work cubicles or desks, be sure that there are none blocking fire exits, and ensure that workers have easy access to each other and equipment.

10 | Be Aware of Sound Levels
Finally, quiet work areas, including private offices, meeting rooms and presentation areas can easily be allocated by using movable walls which can be reorganised as necessary.

If you would like more information on redesigning your office premises, please contact Struxi Design today.

10 Tips for choosing the best building designer

Tue, 30 Apr 2019 08:00:00 GMT

At StruXi, we understand that our job as your building designer is to see your residential or commercial design project vision realised, without stress. We like our clients to coast through the whole process of creating their new residential house or commercial development project. It is our aim to identify and deal with all the issues or potential problems long before they affect the budget, timeline or quality of a house design or development project.

Whether you are looking for an architect or a building designer for your new office design, commercial development project or cutting edge house plans, following are 10 tips to help you find the one that helps you achieve the perfect result.

1 | Seek recommendations. If you have family or friends who have recently had some house floorplans drawn up, or a home renovation idea drafted, find out who they used and why. Similarly, if you have seen a stunning new property development, make contact with the agent and find out who designed it – they will be more than happy to help. If you don’t like the style of that building designer recommendation, then find out about the process in general and if there were any areas that could potentially cause problems. Knowledge is power after all.

2 | Be inspired by what is around you. Are there any modern house designs or commercial buildings around your local area that you love the look of? Contact the owners of new buildings that you like, and ask who designed them. Most commonly, people will be happy to help by recommending their building designer after they have done an excellent house design or commercial construction project!

3 | Google search. If you are looking for a building designer that is local to you, search the area, and jump on Google. Once you have a list of possibilities, then look through their websites for their standard of work. Remember that the top few listings on a Google search page are paid ads, with the rest underneath being deemed by Google as having good quality sites.

4 | Ensure that your building designer is a member of the standard association bodies. In Queensland that is the Building Designers Association Queensland.

5 | Once you have a shortlist, make sure that you understand the way they work. How involved do you want to be in the process? Do you want a designer who will incorporate your ideas where possible? Or do you want someone to take your brief and run with it? The way that you work together will dictate the success of the commercial building or house design project overall.

6 | Have your list of potential building designers worked on a project that is similar to yours before? Ensuring that your building designer has worked on a similar level of commercial project or house design brief and budget that reflects yours should feature highly in your list of criteria.

7 | Understand your budget. Typically, creative and edgy design requires a higher level of the budget than a more modest brief. Make sure the expectations your building designer sets are compatible with yours.

8 | Get a clear idea of how fees are charged. There are myriad methods of charging fees for house design, including hourly rates, percentage-based fees, progress payments, lump-sum fees, or cost per square meter. With any of these choices, make sure you understand it thoroughly, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification. Your selected building designer should be completely transparent in their payment structure, so sign it off, and get on with the project at hand.

9 |   What do your fees cover? Is it just working drawings, or are you needing contract administration as well? Would you prefer to have a Project Manager on hand for the build of the commercial project or residential job as well, and if so, does your building designer offer that service as one point of contact. This is advantageous, resulting in a seamless transition from drawings through to construction. Again, clarify, and understand.

10 | Work out if you like them, and can maintain a positive professional relationship with them during the course of the project. Personality clashes can sometimes turn a sweet project sour, depending on the client and the provider. Working with people who treat you with respect, turn up on time, are genuine and honest will make a considerable difference to your experience.

If you are looking for any assistance or guidance with choosing a building designer, please get in touch.

How colour influences our mood in building design

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Many people don’t think about colour when it comes to building design. However, it’s something that will affect you every day once your project has been completed.

Depending on age, gender, ethnic background and climate, the colours of an interior can dramatically affect our mood. Some colours promote productivity, energy and happiness, while others evoke feelings of anger or sadness. There are particular colours that get similar reactions from most people, depending on the shades that have been used.

Choosing Colours
When it comes to choosing colours to use inside the home or business, it must be remembered that each colour holds psychological value and has a strong influence on emotion. It’s also important to remember that small amounts of certain colours don’t have an effect on mood, whereas large amounts of it can be overwhelming if used incorrectly.

A helpful tip: Choose your textiles first, such as your carpet, as they come in limited colours. Then start choosing paint colours as they are much more variable.

Colours and Their Effects
Light colours inside a building make a room seem more expansive and airy. Lighter shades can make small rooms feel much more spacious. Darker colours are more sophisticated and warm. When painting ceilings, darker ceilings make the room feel more intimate, whereas a white or cream coloured ceiling can have the effect of the ceiling feeling higher.

Red
Lighter shades of red promote energy, excitement and strong first impressions. It’s a colour known to draw people together. However, when used in the bedroom it’s known to be a little too stimulating during the daytime, but can bring a touch of elegance at night.

Yellow
Yellow promotes happiness and works best when used in bathrooms, kitchens and dining areas. It’s energising and uplifting when used sparingly, but can create levels of anger and frustration if used in large amounts.

Blue
Known to reduce blood pressure, slow down breathing and calming in the lighter hues. Generally blue is used in bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s best not to use dark blues as the main colour scheme, as it can evoke feelings of sadness.

Green
Refreshing, cheerful and comforting. A true stress reliever and the easiest colour on the eye. According to some experts, it not only helps you relax, but also helps with fertility so it’s the perfect colour for the bedroom!

Purple
If you’re looking for a more sophisticated feel, deep purple shades such as ‘Eggplant’ can make a room feel much more luxurious and rich. Creating a dramatic effect, purple is best to be used subtly.

Just like a building, choosing your new colour scheme is a very personal choice, so use this article as a guide only. If you need further guidance for designing and interior design information, please don’t hesitate to contact the Struxi Design team today.

How to Use Open Plan Design in Your Renovation

Sun, 31 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMT

So you have a ‘character’ home.

It’s designed in the traditional style of the era, with lots of separate rooms.  That worked well with the larger blocks of yesteryear, but with smaller land sizes now being very common, most home renovations or house building designs are created around an open floor plan.

But how do you know whether you should go open plan or not for your own home? We would like to help with some tips and guidelines for you, remembering though that every single situation is different.

  Natural light
When you have an open space, natural light can filter through and connect spaces. This can make potentially small areas look larger, and can also get rid of dead spaces. People are drawn towards the lighter areas within a home, so the open plan, naturally lit areas will always seem to be the hub of the house.
Think about how the light would be able to flow through when you are looking at knocking down walls.

Load-bearing walls
It’s likely that if you are looking at knocking down multiple walls, one or more of them will be load-bearing (or, holding up the roof!). Your building designer will have to compensate for this in the new structure/design.
Make sure your new open plan design is structurally sound.

 The hub of the house
In our experience, the kitchen and meals area work very well when they are connected, as this is the family hub. This can extend to include a living room as well, but take things like acoustics, kitchen odours, and other family activity into account. Will family talking in the kitchen disrupt someone watching TV in the living room?

The use of glass
If you are wanting to really add the open-plan experience, and blend internal and external areas, make use of large glass doors. The use of french doors, or glass panelled doors can bring the flow and space to a room while allowing you to still close off large spaces.
Bifold doors can work exceptionally well with open plan entertaining areas.

Colour palette
To further enhance the open plan feel, and the flow of light, use a repetitive colour palette, and repeat accent hues or patterns.
Consistent colours and textures will extend the open plan feel even further.

Think ‘decluttered’
Open-plan works best when the furnishings and appliances have a clean and clear feel about them too. Don’t fill up an open plan space with too much stuff, and make sure that your larger items are well placed for the space. For example, position your lounge facing through the glass doors towards your outdoor entertaining area.

Don’t go overboard
Open-plan is great, but there is always still a place for private spaces. Don’t open up your entire home, and then realise it is nowhere secluded for you or other family members to retreat. A private sunroom, study, or sitting room is still a must.

The possibilities may well be endless for your home renovation or build, but remember to talk through your own unique requirements with your building designer, so that the result is perfect for you and your lifestyle.

If you would like to discuss your open plan house renovation or home design, please get in touch!

Building your dream home

Fri, 15 Mar 2019 08:00:00 GMT

It’s time to move, so you’re looking at houses.

Every weekend.

You are driving relentlessly between open homes weekend after weekend, and honestly, it's getting beyond boring.

Nothing is exactly what you want, so you have eventually come to the conclusion that building your dream home will be the best way to go, and then you can choose the location yourself.

For many, buying some land and building your dream home is extremely appealing, and it’s fast becoming a reality for thousands of Australians every year.

This journey can be exciting and bring out your creative flare, but for some first-time home builders, it can be a little time consuming and very stressful. (Tip: get an experienced, compassionate, understanding Building Designer firm on board to start with – that will make it SO much easier!)

To save you some of your precious time, we’ve put together some steps to make sure this experience is as stress-free as possible.

1. Permits, Building Codes & Restrictions
Before you start anything, you must check with your local council with any building regulations that they have in place, and if there are any contracts or approvals you need before commencing your project.  Regulations and codes vary from city to city. As long as your project meets specific standards and land requirements, generally, no planning approval is needed.

2. Establish Your Budget
Speak to your financier about what you can and can’t afford.  Staying within a budget when building a home will form the baseline for all decisions you will make during the build process.  Remember to check the Australian Government website for any rebates or grants to which you may be entitled.

3. Research the Area
There are many aspects to research before choosing a community to build in. Is the area prone to flooding?  What are the crime rates in the area?  Other considerations include access to public transport and the proximity from schools, work, family and friends.

4. Choosing Land
After finding out what land is available in the area you wish to build, you must make sure the lot is suitable for the project.  Cheaper isn’t necessarily better.  Irregular land shapes and lot orientation can all affect the build, especially if there is an uneven terrain that needs to be filled.  You may also need a geotechnical report to access the soil type which will tell you whether the land is suitable for construction or not.

5. Designing your Home
A common mistake for many is designing the home with rooms facing the wrong direction.  This can result in a very hot house in summer and a very cold house in winter.  Remember to choose passive design elements such as floor tiles, double-glazed windows and high ceilings to also help eradicate this potential problem.  Consider energy saving; when choosing appliances such as washing machines, fridges and taps always pick those with a five-star energy rating. It will make a huge difference in the bills.

It’s always best to call in the professional building designers when it comes to designing the house itself, as there are many project elements that need to be factored in, not just for comfort but practical purposes too.

We’ve covered the basics to consider before you build your dream home.  But it’s important to remember that it’s important to get a professional opinion wherever you can during your build to have as much of a stress-free project as possible and to achieve the outcome you originally planned.  Researching your Builder’s or Contractors background is also extremely important to make sure they have plenty of experience and positive feedback from clients.

If you’re looking for more information on building your dream home, from building designers with experience, please contact us today for a no-obligation conversation.

Choosing your colour palette

Thu, 28 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT

Can’t choose your colours? Just choose one – Go monochrome!
It’s the starting point for your interior design project.

Maybe you have a new house build underway or a home renovation and it’s time to bring it all together with the interior design.
Well, why choose a range of colours, when you can choose just one? It makes the whole interior design process so much easier, and delivers elegance and style to your interiors.

You know, the whole ‘less is more’ thing. As in, there is way less choices to make, just the one!

 Why does a monochrome colour interior design palette work?
It takes discipline, but using just one base colour and using shades and hues of that tone creates a range of depth without clashing. Once your choice has been made, then the finishing selections are easier – and having a uniform shade can look amazing.

For example, you could choose a warm white as your base colour.  Then by adding furniture and artworks in contrasting colours, the room comes together in a simple, classic way.

Using a monochromatic colour palette means that there is less for your brain to understand and process, and you can include feature pieces that add a wow factor to any interior design project, either residential or commercial. A base colour approach means that you can focus on your space’s best elements.

Calming interior design ideas
We often recommend using a single base colour interior design approach for rooms that should be calming – bedrooms, medical waiting rooms and home offices for example.
You may notice that many commercial health retreats or spas employ a monochromatic approach based on their branding, and they have done this on purpose. The customer can relax being surrounded by a single tone that relates directly to the branding of the business, creating a specific experience for them. This wellness centre for example uses dark earthy tones as the base, with highlight colours to add interest.

It’s not all about flat areas of colour though.

We recommend utilising textures and patterns where you can. If you are considering a monochrome interior design approach, then this is your chance to let loose with design elements that you might usually avoid, as long as they sit within the base colour range.

The key to pulling this look off? Props. Using elements that provide contrast and interest, and draw the eye away from the base colour, and doing this without going over the top. Like this beautiful office space, where the base colour is a warm brown that is highlighted by natural light, and indoor plants.

If you are considering a new interior design for your home, office or commercial space, and would like some advice, please just get in touch!

What makes a great home?

Thu, 14 Feb 2019 08:00:00 GMT

A great home is influenced by aspects of life; it is a place of refuge, comfort, radiance and security.  The home needs to be functional with efficient use of space and movement zones combined with an attractive appeal.   

These attributes need to be moulded to an overall outcome that suits the occupant’s needs whilst reflecting the qualities in design such as passive and active energy management, and environmentally responsible principles.  The land’s profile, orientation, flora and allowable usage are to be evaluated with the desired home’s parameters.

The start of our commission concentrates entirely on the above under what we call the Sketch Design  phase.  The Client’s brief is reflected upon and a step by step process undertaken with regular review opportunities.  As illustrated below, we will typically start with sketches and conceptual layouts before progressing into computer-aided modelling.   The steps required in this initial design phase are discussed with our Clients prior to commencement.

{Preparing for planning and building applications as part of the  Documentation phases will only be completed after Sketch Design has reached the Client’s satisfaction.}

South West Qld shows no limit

Thu, 31 Jan 2019 08:00:00 GMT

No town or area is off the radar to receive the services of StruXi.  Our operations are being noticed to deliver successful projects in South West Queensland including the Darling Downs region, Granite Belt area and neighbouring districts.

However, these are not the only areas we provide our services to. We have completed numerous projects in Roma, Charleville, Injune, Dalby, Grafton, Gilgandra, Gladstone, Mitchell, St George, Mackay and many more.

So if you aren’t sure about who to turn to for your design team, contact our office today & enquire about what we can do for you and your project.

Choosing the perfect block of land for your new house

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 08:00:00 GMT

It’s the end of 2018 and next year, your plan is to build a brand new house.

Your dream house.

The first step for that plan to come to fruition is to find the right block of land, in the right area.

Our clients are often asking about how to decide if a particular block of land will work for them – will it be ok for our new house?

Besides working well with the type of design you are wanting, there are often things that the untrained eye doesn’t identify.

It’s an important decision, so we have put together some of the more common questions to help you decide.

Of course, having a building design firm on board who understands how to manage challenges for specific blocks is always a good idea too!

Location

Is the block close to the amenities or utilities that are important to your family?
Are there parks / transport / schools nearby?

Size, shape, orientation and slope of the block

If the block is on a considerable slope, it may require cut and fill, or the house design will have to take the angle of the block into consideration.
Aggressive slope angles can also affect the amount of sunlight that flows into different areas of the block – food for thought.
Check the width and depth of the block as compared to the kind of house that you would like to build.
How are the neighbouring houses and trees going to affect your design build.
North / south is the most popular block orientation.

Easements / boundary setbacks

Make sure to check with your local council for boundary setbacks.
Check if there are any easements that run through the block.
Does the block have any covenants or driveway crossover limitations?

Closeness to commercial land or apartment areas

Are there industrial sites nearby?
Are there plans to add commercial industry in the local area?
If this the block is next to an apartment block, consider how that will affect your privacy for the new house.

Sea Level Height

If the block is in a flood-prone area, it’s worth checking the height of the block for historical flood activity

Soil Analysis

Knowing the composition of the soil on the block will allow your building designer to determine the best foundation strategy for your new house

Additionally, even though this might be your dream house for now, always remember resale opportunities for the future. Having a home that looks ‘appropriate’ in the area helps, so make sure to drive around the area in which your block is located, so you know your house design will look like it belongs.

If you are considering a new house design, and are not sure about the block choice, make sure to get in touch with us for some experienced and expert advice.