+ Why work with Seau?

At Seau Studio, we are passionate about architecture and the impact good design has on our clients’ well-being and daily life. Our homes are where we spend most of our time in life, so doesn’t it makes sense to prioritise improving that space so it brings joy to our day-to-day? And for most of us, building or renovating a house will be the biggest investment we ever make so it’s important to have the right team of dedicated people by your side throughout the process.

With all of this in mind, as a small design business, we only take on a small number of projects each year to ensure we provide a quality, custom service to all of our clients.

If you’re wanting to enhance your lifestyle by improving the architectural design and functionality of your home, we would love you to get in touch to discuss your vision!

+ What is Seau's difference?

We are passionate about architecture and are advocates for delivering what our clients are looking for in their homes. We take time to listen to and understand our client's vision and then translate it onto paper to create beautiful spaces that improve their lifestyle. One of our favourite aspects of a project is seeing clients get excited about different elements of their home as it comes to life on-site.

+ Is Seau the right fit for my project?

At Seau Studio, we don’t cut corners. You can have peace of mind that every aspect of your project has been thoughtfully considered. By hiring an Architectural Designer that provides the high-level detailed service that Seau does, you are reducing your risk of things such as cost blowouts, time delays and costly on-site changes due to little to no detail being provided. Often, cheaper lower-detailed services end up costing more in the end, and people are disappointed as the vision for their home hasn’t translated from paper to reality due to the lack of time and detail put into the project in those beginning stages.

We’ve spent years refining our processes and crafting our skills to provide a service that covers all details of a project, and we work with you to make sure we’ve got everything just right.

+ Why should I hire an Architectural Designer over a Draftsperson?

As a Graduate of Architecture, Emily has had years of training and experience in designing and executing residential projects. A common misconception about Architectural Designers is that they just draw ‘pretty’ pictures and only have their vision in mind no matter the cost to the client. This is completely inaccurate. In fact, the final ‘look’ of a project makes up a very small part of what we do! Our job is to understand and translate our clients’ wants and needs into a space that’s not only functional and looks beautiful, but also considers the buildability, integration of technical elements and construction cost of the project. Another important part of our job is working within the constraints of the National Construction Code, Australian Standards, and local Council policies and regulations to ensure your home meets these standards as well as being sustainable and energy efficient to provide a comfortable space.

It’s this ability to consider both the aesthetic and technical elements to create a home that feels considered and effortless in its function that distinguishes our skills and services from a Draftsperson.

+ How do I know Seau will design to my budget?

This is a good question and one we like to discuss at our first meeting. We don’t shy away from being honest with our clients in regards to their expectations versus cost and will have those honest, open discussions up front at our first meeting and throughout the design process. The last thing we want is to design a project for our clients that isn’t financially feasible! One of the ways we check in on the budget is by working closely with a few trusted builders. We encourage our clients to work with a builder early on in the process to avoid budget blowouts.

+ I’m not sure what our budget is or what we would like to do, can we still talk?

Yes absolutely. We encourage you to book a meeting to speak with Emily to see if we are a good fit for your vision. Here we can discuss the service type and budget that works best for your project.

We also provide a range of consultations including a Starter Consultation, follow the link here to find out more.

+ How long does the design process take?

This depends on the scope and scale of the project. Once we have met and discussed your initial brief, we can then provide a guideline on the timeframe of your project. Typically, the design and approval process takes between 9-12 months for custom homes and renovations or additions.

+ What services do Seau offer?

Our experience lies in new builds, boutique renovations, alterations and additions, and hospitality and retail design.

Fill out our contact form to receive a detailed breakdown of our Full Design Service or alternatively give us a call to discuss!

+ Does Seau have a specific style?

While we are inspired by many different styles, we love minimal, clean lines, the use of quality materials and good craftsmanship, and a strong connection between the indoors and outdoors.

+ What size projects and budgets does Seau work with?

We specialise in small to medium projects. Typically, custom homes range from $600k – $2m and renovations or extensions from $450k – $1m.

+ How much does it cost to work with Seau?

Unlike other Architects or Designers, our fees are determined based on the extent of the service and the type of procurement, size and complexity of the project, not as a percentage of the construction cost. As each project is unique, we meet with you first to understand the project brief before providing a fee for our services. Our goal is to provide quality design to every project that comes through our office.

+ Can you help me choose a Builder?

We work with a variety of builders across Western Australia and can assist you with choosing the best builder for your home. Through our tendering process, we will make sure you find the best fit from a design, cost and quality perspective.

For clients who are interested in a collaborative approach, we've teamed up with Evolution Builders to offer a Design + Build service.

Visit Evolution x Seau Studio to find out more information.

+ I’d love to get started. What’s next?

Great! Simply follow the link here to reach out to Emily directly. At our first meeting, Emily will explain the process thoroughly and will answer any questions you may have. Bring any house plans you may have, sketches, your Pinterest board or magazine cut outs - we’d love to see what you’re envisioning.