ellivo (Projects (archive))

Developed in close collaboration with Mirvac, the Waterfront Sales Gallery was conceived as more than a traditional display suite. Designed as a prefabricated sales environment, the project brought together multiple customer experiences and a fully realised apartment fitout to create an immersive journey through the future Waterfront precinct. Inspired by Mirvac’s Waterfront development at Newstead, the gallery translated the project’s premium residential offering into a tangible experience for prospective residents.

Every aspect of the design was centred around storytelling. Visitors were guided through a carefully curated sequence of spaces, each revealing a different layer of the Waterfront vision. From project discovery and precinct exploration through to a complete apartment experience, the sales gallery was designed to help visitors imagine themselves living within the future community.

The architectural language drew directly from the Waterfront buildings themselves. Flowing curved forms and softly articulated spaces reflected the undulating façades that define Quay, Isle and the broader development. These gestures not only referenced the architecture but also shaped the visitor journey, creating moments of anticipation, discovery and connection.

Created in partnership with Traders In Purple, the Tydal Sales Gallery was designed to capture the essence of a landmark residential address and bring its coastal lifestyle story to life. Positioned to reflect the project’s elevated presence on the Woody Point Peninsula, the space introduces visitors to a vision of luxury living shaped by water, light and connection to place.

The sales experience was inspired by the same architectural language that defines Tydal itself. Drawing from the organically sculpted forms of the surrounding bays, the interior incorporates soft curves, refined detailing and a carefully layered material palette that creates a sense of warmth, elegance and authenticity.

A collection of soft tones and natural materials establishes a calm and welcoming atmosphere throughout. Rather than relying on grandeur, the design embraces a quiet confidence, allowing the story of the development, its setting and its lifestyle offering to take centre stage.

Inspired by the endemic forest landscape of the area, this social and affordable housing project seeks to nestle seamlessly into its surroundings, drawing the landscape within. Positioned on the pristine Lake Kawana edge, careful consideration has been made to maximise the connection of all apartments and communal spaces to the natural environment and the desirable solar orientation. Diverse communal gathering spaces are created in a shaded undercroft space that connects to the lake’s edge, and doubles to conceal the podium car parking.

The facade design acts to capture breezes, maintain privacy for residents and capitalise on the vistas to the lake and surrounds.

All apartments have been designed with passive cooling and lighting, minimum gold level LHA standards, and careful privacy and security consideration to create a comfortable and efficient living environment for the users.

Rather than treating the sales display as a standalone destination, we approached the project as a layered sequence of experiences. Each space was designed to build upon the last, creating a natural progression from welcome, to storytelling, to engagement.

A soft and calming material palette, paired with a meticulous attention to detail, helps create a sense of flow throughout the environment. Carefully considered transitions, refined finishes and integrated design elements ensure every moment feels effortless and connected.

At the heart of the project sits the Sierra Entry Gallery, designed with longevity and adaptability in mind. A timeless layout and restrained palette provide a lasting foundation, allowing the back-of-house sales experience to evolve and be refreshed as new developments are brought to market.

Every detail was thoughtfully crafted, from stone inlays that subtly define zones and experiences, to integrated signage and display opportunities woven throughout the space. The result is a highly considered environment that balances permanence and flexibility, creating a memorable destination that can continue to evolve with the Sierra story.

Eden is a new mixed-use development bringing two residential towers, active public spaces and a vibrant podium together in the heart of Caloundra.

Taking cues from the natural beauty of the Sunshine Coast, the design embraces subtropical planting, natural textures and climate-responsive thinking to create a place for people to live, gather and connect.

Set on a prominent elevated corner site, Victoria Residences draws its inspiration from the character and history of its surrounding neighbourhood. Shaped by its connection to local heritage, the civic presence of nearby landmarks, and the expansive landscape of Victoria Park, the development presents a considered architectural response that is both timeless and distinctly rooted in place. Carefully selected materials, including enduring brickwork, bespoke metal detailing, and textured screening elements, have been chosen not only for their visual richness, but for their ability to weather gracefully and retain their quality for decades to come.

At its heart, the project is designed around the everyday experience of home. The building embraces its landscaped edges through a series of articulated forms and deep recesses that soften the architecture and strengthen the connection between residents and nature. Generous balconies are carefully shaped to create private outdoor retreats, framed by greenery and protected through layered screening. Trees are woven into the architectural expression, creating a natural buffer between homes and the surrounding urban environment while allowing light, outlook, and ventilation to permeate every residence.

Sitting within the landmark brick and sawtooth roof brewery building on Milton Road, this workplace draws inspiration from the rich heritage of the brand and its longstanding presence in Brisbane. The fitout brings together many teams from Lion Co. in a new light filled, fresh and comfortable space that now buzzes with energy.

Retro and iconic elements from XXXX’s historic branding are woven throughout the workplace, subtly informing graphics, colours and detailing. The finishes palette reflects the strength and familiarity of the brand, creating a space that feels both contemporary and connected to its legacy.

The result is a workplace that celebrates the identity of XXXX while providing a functional and engaging environment for the team behind one of Australia’s most recognisable breweries. Staff and visitors are attracted to spaces for quiet working, meetings, gatherings and for staff celebrations.

Within the stunning North Sydney Vic X development, our second flagship Fitout for Ventia delivers an experience for all reflective of the Vic X context. Set within a Green Star accredited building and opening to expansive views toward the Sydney Harbour Bridge, the workspace balances sustainability, functionality and a strong sense of place across the two floors.

Visitors, staff and teams are considered at every turn, with a variety of spaces supporting different ways of working, alongside moments of playfulness within the workspace. There are spaces for gathering, collaboration, briefing, celebration, concentration and for quiet reflection within. Comfort for users was paramount, with acoustic design, amenity, and visual connection of great importance.

The vision for this subtropical commercial development is to create a distinctive and confident building form that responds to its local context while contributing positively to the evolving urban character of Upper Mount Gravatt. The architectural expression is anchored by a finely detailed, sculptural podium that grounds the building at street level and establishes a strong sense of place. Inspired by the subtropical climate, the design prioritises shade, daylight, ventilation and landscape integration to create comfortable and engaging environments for occupants and visitors alike. The upper levels are articulated to soften the building’s scale, while the podium forms a robust and human-scaled interface with the public realm.

At street level, activated retail tenancies and landscaped spaces address both frontages, fostering pedestrian engagement and encouraging activity throughout the day. These spaces are carefully curated to enhance the streetscape and contribute to a vibrant, walkable environment. The rhythmic façade responds to the surrounding context through modulation, texture and planting, creating a dynamic architectural presence that shifts with light and movement.

Inspired by the elegance of the Glasswing butterfly, the design mirrors the graceful sweep of its wings, a form that feels light, fluid, and alive. Lush subtropical greenery is thoughtfully woven throughout, transforming the building into a sanctuary in the heart of the city. 10 Morrow Street is an urban oasis that blends short term accommodation with residential living. A destination for rest, relaxation, and renewal.

Comprising 82 thoughtfully crafted homes across studio, one- and two-bedroom typologies, the Cleveland Street project by BHC brings a new depth of community to Stones Corner. Anchored by a strong social mission, the architecture balances clean, refined lines with enduring, earthy materials, including concrete, warm brick, and timber tones, offering both resilience and humanity.

Set within a 10-storey form, the design speaks subtly to its urban precinct, while generous operable windows, natural cross-ventilation, and rich greenery soften the form and connect residents to the sky and street. Vertical articulation and subtle setbacks foster a sense of calm scale, even at height.

Deep balconies and communal retreats, including an open-air rooftop terrace, weave social interaction and quiet refuge into daily life. With low-maintenance finishes, sustainable systems (including rainwater harvesting and solar power), and a 7+ star NatHERS performance target, the building is rooted in long-term stewardship.

All homes meet Gold Livable Housing standards, and one achieves Platinum level, a testament to the commitment to dignity and adaptability.

In this way, ARQ at Cleveland is more than just a building: it is a resilient, uplifting community-building expression of affordable housing that endures, fosters belonging, and reflects the spirit of Stones Corner.

The ultimate in beachfront living, Pipis at Bilinga is an exclusive collection of 17 half floor residences and two double story penthouses with uninterrupted coastal views.

Drawing inspiration from the sculptured dunes that frame the idyllic coastal setting, Pipis is series of horizontally stacked forms, broken up by green breaks and floor to ceiling glazing, creating articulated and light dappled internal spaces. The masterfully designed interiors create light filled liveable spaces that capture cooling ocean breezes. Spacious and functional, each apartment features high quality fixtures, state of the art appliances and stone benchtops throughout.

A refined coastal palette of understated yet elegant finishes highlight bespoke details and embodies the timeless essence of beachfront luxury.

Pipis delivers high-end in-house lifestyle amenities; including a 15m heated lap pool and sun lounge deck, fully equipped gymnasium and outdoor rain shower with dog wash to rinse off the sand. Offering direct back entry access to the beach and ocean bike pathway, residents can enjoy the most the Gold Coast has to offer.

The Wellington Collection are a boutique collection of thoughtfully considered residences with uninterrupted views across the Manly Marina and Moreton Bay.

Spanning across three levels, these spacious homes offer generous scale and flexibility for modern living. Throughout every step of the project, careful consideration was given to balancing views towards the harbour, taking advantage of natural light and utilising its elevated position. Drawing from the natural rhythms of coastal life, the design features soft curves, layered textures, and materiality inspired by sea, sand, and sky.

Each residence is oriented to capture light, breeze, and sweeping views, with sculpted forms and lush subtropical landscaping enhancing the connection to its context. From the central oculus atrium to the shared lounge and pool, The Wellington Collection are a refined expression of bayside living, where architecture meets atmosphere, and every detail reflects its coastal setting.

The completion of View marks a significant milestone for the Vantage collection at Benowa. As the largest tower in the precinct, View adds 120 new apartments and brings the total to 328 across 5 buildings. Much like the other buildings in the collection View epitomises the ultimate in contemporary living, offering both comfort and convenience in an exceptional urban setting.

Set amongst lush gardens and resort style amenities, Vantage has become a true hub for locals - a place that balances lifestyle, community, and connection. It's been a privilege to see this master planned precinct come to life and to have played a major role in the delivery of this development.

The latest addition to Woody Point’s shoreline. Inspired by the natural curves of the coastline, the architecture embraces soft, flowing forms, with curved balconies and batten screens that echo the rhythm of the waves. Inside, a refined palette yet relaxed palette seamlessly connects to the coastal surrounds. Thoughtfully designed interiors prioritise functionality without compromising on luxury, offering spacious kitchens, abundant storage, and warm finishes.

Situated in the sought-after Kangaroo Point peninsula, 130 Lambert offers an exclusive collection of 2 and 3 bedroom residences where luxury and sophistication seamlessly meet. Architecturally the design captures modern elegance with sleek lines, while full-height glazing floods each residence with natural light. The thoughtfully curated finishes blend timeless style with contemporary and executive living. Rooftop amenities, including an infinity pool, fitness studio, and private garden, provide residents with resort-like comfort while enjoying expansive views of the ‘river-city’ skyline. This desirable inner city address represents elevated urban living at its finest, with construction set to commence in early 2025.

Ventias West Sydney is an attractive new home nestled in the greenery of the Western Sydney University Architecture and surrounding community.

Ventia West Sydney raises the bar to provide a new level of comfort and wellbeing for the West Sydney staff. Designed to attract staff and encourage people to come to the workplace their space is connected, thoughtful and inspiring. Their home includes comfortable lounge spaces, quiet work areas, a gym, games area, connecting stairs and extensive entertaining and collaboration areas.

Taking Ventia on the sustainability design journey has been really rewarding and interesting as we witness there awareness about their Carbon footprint awaken. Designed to be minimal without using materials where not necessary, Ventia were keen to see the raw and industrial fabrics wash through their fitout.

Their new space is also designed for inclusion and accessibility of staff and visitors. User groups of different abilities and faiths have been accommodated. The barriers between staff and visitors have been broken down with only recyclable mesh separating zones and also allowing for efficiency when air conditioning.

Furnishings have been sourced locally where possible and for reuse. All materials have been reviewed for sustainability and life cycle to minimise the carbon footprint of the fitout.

The new AFL Clubhouse brings together the community in the context of the new Mirvac development, Everleigh. Providing for teams, trainers and visitors, the design sleeves the curve of the sports field and takes in the greenery and open spaces.

Within the club there are boardrooms and operational offices, ample change rooms, showrooms and amenities are also provided for teams, trainers and the community. A well equipped cafe and canteen services the community day by day and supports the teams on games days.

Working alongside Council and Mirvac, we have designed a facility which balances the brief and the practicalities required for the club to stand the test of time.

This state-of-the-art venue, built by Bedford Built, features an MCG-sized oval and is equipped to host major sporting events such as grand finals and representative fixtures.

The clubhouse is adorned by a striking sculptural roof for shading, ample natural light through spherical apertures, and a neutral, timeless material palette. A true community landmark, it offers exceptional views and robust design that will stand the test of time.

Working alongside Traders in Purple to deliver another iconic address in the Moreton Bay Region, Tydal emerges as a key landmark in the revitalization of this charming village. Proudly elevated on the highest point of the Woody Point Peninsula, Tydal promises a lifestyle that embraces the ocean and vast panoramic coastal views.

Tydal delivers uncompromising luxury with a collection of beautifully crafted 2 and 3 bedroom apartments, many with breathtaking water views. The architectural language is derived from the naturally occurring forms of the surrounding bays articulated by feature vertical battens. The finishes palette is a collection of soft tones and natural materials, creating a humble yet elegant space.

Interior spaces are well considered so residents can effortlessly transition from the stylish interiors to the expansive balconies that frame calming water views towards Moreton Bay. Resort like amenities offer poolside lounging, alfresco dining around the BBQ, even a dog wash for pooches after a morning stroll along the beach.

Visuals by Near Visual

Located within the central CBD area, this existing commercial building was previously renovated with foam cladding presenting a fire safety risk to its occupants. Rather than simply replacing new for old, there was an opportunity to breathe new life and personality into the existing 1950’s building. With the desire to minimise the impact on the internal fit-outs, retain as much of the existing glazing as possible and working within the limits of the structural load capabilities, a highly unique outcome was required.

The new transformation comprises a matrix of metal cladding panels and extrusions to create a sleek, industrial tectonic to work harmoniously with the existing gridded facade composition. To compliment the tower facade, finer metalwork elements, exposed brickwork and expressive lighting bring a finer grain detail and pedestrian scale to the lower levels.

As part of the new upgrades, the facade design also brings an improvement to the thermal performance of the building, reducing its on-going running costs. When complete, the upgraded building will provide improved long-term investment, create an attractive workspace to its tenants, and continue to act as a citizen of the city for decades to come.

Ashford Residences is a master-planned residential enclave in Everton Park. The estate will comprise of a combination of attached and detached residences masterplanned to create a unique offering focusing on a owner occupier market. The residents’ club hosts entertaining pavilions including alfresco dining , sunken fire pit, resort style pool, fully equipped gymnasium and is surrounded by an Eco Area and lush sub-tropical greenery.

The 22m long resort style pool is the centrepiece of the facility extending out to the wetland edge. Surrounding the pool is a multitude of seating options to cater for everything from large group functions, intimate gatherings, families or individuals searching for a quite retreat. The process was extremely collaborative between ourselves, the client, landscape architect and other specialist consultants as we wanted to create a truly integrated and carefully considered outcome that was enjoyable to use at all times of the day.

Photography by Scott Burrows

Located along Swann Road on a dual-frontage site, Florian Residences makes the most of its steep terrain, creating 16 luxurious apartments and a generous communal rooftop area.

The building has a timeless, robust expression of feature brick and articulated glazing which is softened with lush sub-tropical landscaping and the gentle curves of deep balcony recesses. Fine-grain operable screening elements and balustrades bring a human scale articulation to the design and give the residents control of their preferred levels of privacy, street interaction, and natural cooling.

Visuals: Nord Studio

Working closely with Daisho, the brief called for a highly polished and refined experience.

The Retail Precinct on the ground and podium levels of 180 Brisbane and 192 Central caters for both local staff and commuters passing through from Brisbane’s Central Station to the CBD.

With a wide variety of spaces for indoor and outdoor meetings, lunches or after-work gatherings, the brief called for a series of highly polished and curated experiences.

With growing demands for their psychiatric, psychologic and other allied health treatments, it was time for Family Nurture to expand into a new space supported by their new branding.

Dr Amin and his team were very keen to provide a comfortable space for everyone that is calm and welcoming. Their touches of monkeys and books add to the warmth and homely nature of this space.

The palette is refined to reinforce the calm, as are the textures and patterns. Everyone has been thought about here from the kids who want to draw, to those who need their own space away form others, to the staff looking to run training or share a consult room.

Photography by Arrow Media Collective

Working alongside the fitout contractor Apollo, and Q Coals leadership team, we set out to deliver a fresh environment for the growing QCoal team, over two floors. Drawing inspiration from the raw materials of mining, the palette was curated to include earthy and masculine tones to result in a space that is warm and inviting for both visitors and staff. Culturally the new space welcomes visitors from many nations, and encourages the Q Coal team to meet and collaborate every day. The empahsis was on providing suitable work areas which draw staff together.

The design was shaped by the client’s values and needs with a lot of importance on the space reflecting the permanence of the Queensland company. Central to the space planning was to include a large town hall where the staff can gather for team meetings and events. The outcome is uniquely Q Coal that will carry the client into the next decade.

Photography by Cieran Murphy

Ashford Residences is a master-planned residential enclave in Everton Park. The estate will comprise of a combination of attached and detached residences masterplanned to create a unique offering focusing on a owner occupier market.

In its current state, the site was used to house dairy livestock and has significant biodiversity and ecological overlays. These have influenced the masterplan design with a significant parcel of land to the south being dedicated as a landscaped wetland area which will bound the existing Kedron Brook reserve. The wetland will also act as an extension of the existing Kedron Brook Reserve, blurring the delineation between the waterway corridor and the site.

The existing Heritage-listed Murphy’s Dairy residence is located on the corner of Ashmore Street and the entry driveway into the development. This residence will form part of the “Entry Statement” into the development and may house uses such as a sales office. The integration of this dwelling into the development has been vital in respecting the sites previous life and defining a modern Queensland vernacular to continue throughout the development.

Photography by Scott Burrows

3D Artist Impressions by  Render House Studios

The process of planning and moving to our new home at 293 Queen Street, in the heritage-listed Custom Credit House, gave us a chance to pause, reflect and explore what was important to all the people who use our spaces – clients, visitors, staff members and friends alike.

In true Ellivo spirit, we knew that our space needed to have plenty of character and needed to support various activities from focused work to small and large meetings, as well as casual gatherings and more formal celebrations. The building itself informed the rhythm of the layout – breaking up different spaces, while still allowing them to be connected.

Moving to a new space allowed us to consider the changing office environment – we realised a need to create a flexible space which allows multiple people to work in different modes, and within separate areas. We identified the needs of the various users of our studio and tailored spaces to suit each of these. We created quieter meeting spaces away from work zones to allow for individual and small-group work, quiet phone seats, scrum areas for larger project team meetings and a long library and layout space along the central circulation spine – to inspire and foster team interaction. We also made sure that industry gatherings could be supported through the latest technology and design.

The Garden Bar is a great gathering space for us, as we embrace coming together again with each other and our community. We are excited to share our studio and watch as it grows over the coming years.

Working with a long-established client, the brief went outside of the normal requirements for a fitout and challenged us to deliver a truly multifunctional space that could provide a fresh work environment with space for large board-meetings, as well as smaller client meetings and casual team events.

Central to the design was the context of the heritage-listed building and the existing bones, which had been thoughtfully restored earlier. The building offered amazing vistas from windows in all spaces – giving city and mountain views and an ever-present connection to the outdoors.

The fitout elements were carefully designed to sit lightly within the space, with subtle layering of materials to soften it and to provide a warm and welcoming aesthetic – all the while paying attention to not impact on the heritage building. Our design addresses the many types of meetings, presentations, and gatherings that will help to enrich the Australian Unity business and its users. As the central communal space merges from more formal meetings to champagne and information sessions, the furniture changes to enable theatre seating and cocktail tables.

Acoustics and AV integration was critical to allow all spaces to deliver comfortable, practical, and user-friendly solutions – and we worked closely with suppliers and consultants to ensure these elements were integrated subtly into the design. The spaces feel welcoming and take the office environment to the next level for the client; supporting their company values and helping to build culture.

Photography by Mindi Cooke

The coastal landscape of Coolum is characterised by eroded edges, where the ocean and tides have cut and formed the rocky landscape. The First Bay development, consisting of two interlinked buildings, evokes qualities of this varied landscape in its architecture - with solid concrete forms and soft edges referencing the rocky beach front. The material palette further grounds the building within the sloping context – using neutral-coloured stone and smooth concrete that will age gracefully and patina over time.

Consisting of 38 two- and three-bedroom units, split across two buildings, First Bay makes the most of coastal living. The buildings were designed as a curated string of experiences; each step in the journey fulfilling a need created by the location. There are showers and surfboard stores at the entry from David Low Way; and materials were selected to be hardwearing and tactile while lighting is minimal and thoughtfully-placed.

Carefully-planned internal spaces allow for cross ventilation and natural light, and prioritise the living spaces towards the breathtaking views in the East. The units address the demands and desires of an owner-occupier market, with generous living and storage spaces, and hardwearing yet luxurious-feeling material choices.

The Quarter at Wodonga integrates a mix of commercial, retail, dining and exclusive residential living units. A place to work, the Quarter offers light-filled contemporary office spaces in a high visibility, premium location right in the heart of town. As place to live, life at the Quarter embraces spacious indoor and outdoor living that brings people together combined with a range of uses and facilities that takes advantage of the location and the broader community.

7 Dudley Street has an elegant timelessness with inherent resilience in both its finishes and form – inviting the outside in and talking to its neighbours; while also standing up to the ravages of time to create a long-lasting, truly sustainable building.

Over the building’s robust base-form is a lush layer of sub-tropical planting and a permeable layer of screens, balconies, and terraces. These elements extend into the building interior through expansive courtyards which enhance the liveability of the internal spaces, as well as adding visual interest and passive surveillance to the streetscape and the neighbouring park.

The planting is a mix of native flora and edible planting – increasing the biodiversity of the area, adding to the food security of native fauna, and mediating with the great Brisbane river along the delicate riparian zone. KIOME has been carefully considered to create the best of sub-tropical living for residents, while connecting with the community and natural environment in a meaningful way.

Located in the highly sought after area of Kangaroo Point, the development sets out to showcase the heritage significance of the existing residence, Thornclyffe.  The tower form curves around the house, and makes use of large screen elements to create a backdrop to the heritage setting. The screens help to produce an aesthetic quality that blurs the line between background and foreground, inspired by the Bokeh photography style.

The development comprises of the existing heritage house and 20 luxury apartments, including two sub penthouses and two penthouse apartments that feature spacious, private rooftop gardens. The location and design of the tower captures a range of outlooks, from the Brisbane CBD, to stretches of the Brisbane River.  Each apartment maximises its unique view with open-plan layouts and generous glazing.

The fluid form and curved edges of the façade emulate a “wing like” aesthetic that is balanced by a neutral palate of materials that allows the building form to speak for itself. This refined aesthetic is further enhanced through careful consideration of screening elements, balustrades and edge details. The balustrade design has been carefully considered to provide privacy to the balconies where required and opens-up to the expansive city, river and neighbourhood view at the upper levels. Residents also enjoy common facilities including resort style pool with views to the city skyline, and covered BBQ, dining and lounge areas.

The fluid form of the external has been thoughtfully carried into the apartments. The kitchen adopts a simplistic yet sophisticated palette, with soft greys, natural stones and black contrasts. Subtle references to the curves of the building have been embraced in the kitchens with a curved feature end to the island benches, ensuring fluid movement in and around the space. Both textural and contrasting elements emphasise the palette, creating a high end and timeless feel. Where possible, the interiors have been designed with Indirect and concealed lighting, which will help create a relaxed and beautiful home.

Renders by Binyan Studios Photography by Cam Murchison & Hutchinson Builders

Sitting calmly within the bustling and diverse West Village, the new home for the professionals that are Skin Partners is a true reflection on their approach to their profession. The brief was not a typical allied health brief and started with some beautiful imagery of modern homes. With the client’s keen eye for aesthetics, the fitout was designed around the journey of the patients and of the professionals that use the spaces and brings together the sense of calm and the practicality of the spaces.

The tenancy is bathed in natural light by day and looks through an interesting façade and beyond to gardens and Boundary Street. With limited space and evergrowing needs balancing aesthetics and space, planning became a very detailed exercise with every millimetre utilised. We also carefully considered the privacy of patients balanced with sheer curtains to allow the light and connection to the gardens to shine.

Photography by Cieran Murphy

Located in Banyo, the Summerlin residences are a collection of homes, carefully designed to provide ultimate living space. We partnered with Dennis Family Corporation to provide a range of well-considered town homes designed to appeal to the local community. The poolside terrace homes include 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses, with fully fenced gardens and raised external balconies that overlook an expanse of communal area.

Located in the Valley Heart Precinct, 465 St Paul’s Terrace carefully curates a mix of uses, spaces and materials to create a strong and vibrant build-to-rent community.

The building’s façade is simple in its expression and materiality – responding to its urban surrounds with a solid, recycled red-brick façade that is punched through with large openings. This brick screen shields residents from the harshness of the two street frontages; while providing an assertive architecture to the streetscape. Each material, and its interaction with the site boundary is carefully considered to encourage activation; accommodating the functional requirements for vehicle access and building services without allowing them to dominate. The ground level landscaping works to soften and complement the built form by using various tones, textures and heights.

With only 37 one- and two-bedroom apartments, the development follows a build-to-rent delivery-model that places a high importance on lifecycle costs, longevity of materials and overall good design outcomes.

Photographed by Cieran Muprhy

The design challenge – to create a new home for the B+W team of engineers – called us to explore and deliver on their expectations while making big changes to their way of working. Leading the way, the directors needed us to create a space for collaboration, transparency and open discussion.

In essence the spaces are all about conversation – breaking down all barriers to encourage new connections. The fabric of the building (structurally designed decades ago by the B+W team) has been opened up to act as the conversation starter with new clients. The columns have been revealed, the concrete slab exposed and the original structural soffit was made into a design feature. The fitout exposes the way the building was put together; acting as a reference to the company’s work, as well as adding visual interest to the spaces.

The space also needed to act as a home – for the business, for colleagues to get together, for clients, business connections and so on. The expressed industrial finishes of concrete, glass and steel have been balanced with luxurious soft furnishings and curtains to create a calm and welcoming environment. As a consequence, adjacent collaboration spaces are abuzz with meetings, coffees and lunches. As there was little built form to contend with, the large open breakout spaces have also allowed for staff gatherings to continue whilst still respecting social distancing requirements.

Watch as Tanya talks about our design journey with B+W

Photography by Mindi Cooke

Working alongside the Miele Architectural team in Germany, both the Perth and Adelaide Experience Centres were major refurbishment projects of existing fitouts. The joinery and finishes palette were designed to highlight the appliances, and lighting was carefully considered to enhance the visitors’ experience.

The spaces were designed to be free-flowing and flexible – allowing shoppers to see the different areas from various vantage points. A demonstration area is central to the design; where users have the opportunity to see the appliances in action for the creation of a full three-course dining experience.

Both spaces were pared back and carefully considered to organise how the display may change over time. Finishes were detailed to allow easy transition to new displays; with a focus on reducing landfill and disruption to the staff and users.

Photographed by David Sievers Photography

Located between two streets - Simpsons Road and Rosewood Street, Holm makes the most of the steep site to provide amenable, self-contained residences with views down into the valley.

The townhouses vary between 3 and 4 bedrooms, and all have North-facing living spaces and balconies to take advantage of the site’s favourable aspect. The Simpsons Rd frontage comprises six townhouses; however, they present as three residential-scale homes complete with face brick fencing, articulated awnings and screens. In contrast, the townhouses fronting Rosewood Street follow a similar character to other residences in the street – recessed into to the side of the hill, they have front entries at the Rosewood St Level, and access their backyards from the first level above ground.

Photography by Cam Murchison

Renders by Binyan Studios

One of the most challenging briefs is to design for an ever-changing workforce, which will peak and decline in varying stages over the term of the lease. That was exactly what ARTC requested as Inland Rail are delivering thirteen rail projects across Australia over the next seven years. It was very rewarding to work with them and watch their staff move from a cramped and unworkable space to a custom-designed, 95% agile environment with a variety of flexible working environments.

Working within a Green star building, and with high servicing and density requirements, the layout needed to support collaborative, agile working. This was achieved by designing various different types of workspaces such as phone booths, quiet rooms and casual chat areas – as well as more conventional office desk areas including standing areas.

We were involved heavily with the team managers during the design phase, which has helped to enable a successful transition to the new space, and has encouraged new connections to form naturally within teams since the project’s completion. The company values are deeply embedded within the space and their sense of community informed the layout and the new way of working. The palettes throughout reference the many remote communities, the earth that they touch and the robust materials of rail within a Queensland context.

Photography by Mindi Cooke Photography

The Ronald McDonald House charity provides a home away from home for seriously ill children and their families. In South Brisbane they have built a 10-storey complex adjacent the Mater Children’s Hospital, which is slowly being fitted out floor by floor as they get funding. Ellivo was commissioned to design the fitout for Level 9, which was destined to become a home for the families that need to stay longer.

The project consists of nine accommodation rooms – some with interconnecting doors to house larger families – as well as communal kitchen facilities and a dining area, a large fenced play area, and a private function room which can be booked for family functions.

The project received funding from various charities and fundraising efforts – among them, the annual Chain Reaction Challenge Foundation bike ride contributed a large amount. Two of the riders and fundraisers for this were Ellivians Mason and Jen, who rode 1000 km from Sydney to Brisbane in 2017.

Photographed by Mindi Cooke

Situated on the second floor of the One50 Public House in Bundall, the new gaming and cocktail lounge offers patrons a sophisticated evening venue with views of the Gold Coast skyline. The client wanted to improve the experience of their gaming lounge and expand their entertainment options, so the existing gaming lounge was relocated to the upper level, and accompanied by a new cocktail lounge, private dining room and a bar and kitchen to service the new spaces.

Designed to cater for various events and audiences, the lounge offers various spaces that each have a different feel. Finely-detailed joinery elements divide the gaming and cocktail lounges; while each area has a variation on the fitout’s overall approach to lighting and finishes to create distinct spaces within the larger floor plan.  The cocktail lounge is complete with luxurious, plush velvet seating and dimmed lighting, inviting guests to relax and enjoy the quiet intimacy. The gaming area on the other side makes use of timber batten screens, dark coloured materials and full-height timber joinery to create smaller, quiet zones among the bright flashing lights.

Supporting both these spaces is the bar – the heart of the venue. The materiality and lighting here is distinct, warm and reflective with a copper counter top, timber batten detailing and shimmering splashback tiles.

The refurbishment of the Master Builders Queensland offices was a big step for the board, and a huge commitment to change. From the start, we were aware of the association’s heritage, and its importance to the building community.

We went on a journey with the Master Builders team where we explored who they were, how they wanted to be presented to the general community, and what mattered the most to them. This helped to identify the essence of the project for us – the few key things that needed to hold true through the whole fitout. These qualities included the following: heritage, craftsmanship, high- quality of workmanship, functionality, connection, and modesty.

This exploration led us to look at the history of Queensland builders – their craft, and the materials they work with. We created subtle touches through the fitout showcasing traditional materials in their raw form, to remind visitors of the origins of Master Builders. These little details helped to identify different spaces as you move through the building and help to create the sense of a journey – you go from timber through copper, steel and brass details as you get further into the building.

Another key concern that came out in early workshops with the clients was the connectivity between different teams in the office. The old layout consisted a segmented cluster of small rooms, which meant that space was being used inefficiently, and many of the staff felt disconnected from the rest of the office and from the members. We were able to combine spaces and win enough previously-wasted area to allow for centralised break-out spaces, small team meeting rooms and spaces for people to congregate casually away from their work desks. Most of the lower ground floor was repurposed as a refreshing lunch area with the feeling of an outdoor café, complete with extensive end-of-trip facilities.

Photography by Mindi Cooke

This is the first experience store of its size in Australia which commanded attention from all stakeholders from Australia to Germany.  Miele wanted to envelope their brand in an interior space that complimented the fabric of the building and this is where Ellivo came in.

The existing shell was challenging and exciting and made for a complex design. With such a refined brand and strong graphics we decided to use the angles, voids and existing concrete fabric to act as the stage for the experiences. The customer journey was carefully planned out amongst the architectural elements to create a space that can adapt with product developments into the future.

The building’s form seeks to be bold, minimalistic and timeless – designed to be efficient for both buildability and capacity.

Natural light and landscape is incorporated without comprising floor yield, to ensure a sense of calmness and tranquillity, supportive of the building’s Medical purpose. The building’s open corner addresses the main entry, with well-shaded balconies wrapping the upper floor, allowing for a private retreat for workers without disconnection from the ground plane. Double height atriums open both to sky and planters below seeking to breathe life into the building – trees are able to grow through atrium voids which are decorated with seating plinths at ground level.

The chosen material palette draws inspiration from the surrounding industrial context. It plays with a juxtaposition of textures through raw materials such as brick, concrete, steel and plywood.

We owe the success of the project to the strong support of our open-minded client and supportive builder, who worked with us seamlessly throughout the project to ensure the quality and vision of the project was upheld.

Photography by Scott Burrows

Being designers we were excited by the prospect of testing our approach to the end user by starting with our staff and clients and personifying their needs and mapping out their possible journey with us.  We soon realised that our clients and staff were all very different and this led us to create spaces that could adapt.

We created private spaces where meetings can be confidential, small meeting spaces and public spaces where people can connect. We wrapped all of these in a series of movable curtains that change the privacy and use of the spaces. We can cocoon spaces and make them private, we can adjust lighting and become more of an entertaining space. The uses are varied and practical to take us through the next five or ten years that we may be here.

CLIENT | ELLIVO STATUS | COMPLETE (2018) SCALE | 350SQM PHOTOGRAPHY | MINDI COOKE PHOTOGRAPHER

This is a very young and vibrant business, bursting with enthusiasm that we were very excited by the first time we listened to their vision for their move to much larger premises.  Taking over a largely existing floor we had a modest budget with which to create their dream – the arrival to a law firm that was to be very AJ & Co.

From the lift doors opening on level 18 of Waterfront Place the foyer opens up through their arrival area to river and city views. There is no reception welcome, just a welcoming space, iPad sign in and then onto the lounge. Complete with bar and spaces to meet and relax, the space is to be shared and enjoyed.

Photography by Mindi Cooke

Nero Apartments offers a high-quality living environment within the rapidly evolving Newstead neighbourhood. Located within close proximity to the newly developed and growing Gasometer retail precinct, the development benefits from an abundance of recreation and amenity options for its residents. Positioned amongst a multitude of high-density apartment buildings, Nero seeks to stand out from the crowd and strives to offer something a little different. Residents are offered concierge type facilities to welcome them home, as well as apartment technologies more akin to hotel accommodation.

Nero, meaning black in Italian, inspires the dark personality of the building’s overall expression and resulting material palette. The external form of the building creates a homogeneous façade that conceals the apartment balconies behind it. This is a direct response to the due west orientation of the apartments, balancing solar protection without limiting access to light and views.

Clad in black tile, aluminium cladding and screening, the development has a sleek and timeless appearance. The folded gold screening to the lower podium levels has many roles; it provides solar protection towards the west while folding open towards the north, it provides privacy up to the balustrade height, creates foreground interest where there are no views, and forms a sculptural contribution to the streetscape.

Photography by Scott Burrows

Rainbow Bay is an evolving beachfront boulevard of Coolangatta. We partnered with our long-term client Aspect Property Group, to deliver a catalyst of exclusive living which reflects the unique assets of the site, in particular the direct proximity to Rainbow Bay beach. Our client sought to deliver to a niche of down-sizing owner-occupiers looking for a premium product. We focused on creating a timeless built form, minimising the amount of rendered surfaces was important in delivering a building that aims to look admirable long into the future.

Photographed by Andy MacPherson Studio

Arena is a collective response to the context of the people, the site, views, orientation and ground level activation. We partnered with Galileo, to deliver something unlike anything else is South Brisbane and its strong bold form makes a real statement in the vibrant South Brisbane community. The central courtyard defined by the expression of the podium form, is the heart of Arena and is host to active public gathering areas, and private retreat and refection nooks.  The rotated podium and tower form takes advantage of the expansive view lines, allow views for neighbouring buildings and creates an urban courtyard that contributes to both the public and private amenity.

The site and client held three key criteria, design for flood immunity, design for ultimate privacy and design for openness and light. The contrasting requirements for achieving privacy in a light filled home formed the framework for the project. As each step up toward the house protects it from potential flood waters, the gardens that surround its entry step into the house. Our clients were our co-creators of this new home. Being retired empty nesters, this was a place not only for them to call home, but a retreat for their extended family and friends. With this in mind we focused on provided flexible living spaces, which could accommodate activated living and entertaining as well as private play and sleep out guest rooms.

Lorna Jane sought our guidance to update, professionalise and re-energise their brand through a number of fitouts Austalia wide.

Ellivo Architects carried the concept ideas through to construction to achieve a unique fitout which represented the “Active Living” ethos of the Lorna Jane brand.

Aerocare have a proud history in Australia and New Zealand as a leading independent ground handling company. They were keen for their surroundings to demonstrate to others what they do and their enthusiasm. It was critical to us to include their sense of fun and let this fitout become part of the brand. Together we took a creative approach to work spaces in conjunction with them and the developer (landlord).

Harnessing the concrete and blockwork surrounds, the natural light and their strong aeronautical links, this inspired the selections, colours and elements within. Passion and energy was delivered through installations, graffiti mural and the ‘escape’slide which connects the two levels and defines in the built form who they are.

The second stage of The Village Yeronga builds upon the established success of the village, refining the design to further enrich a community-focused independent living environment for its residents. Set within the leafy and tranquil suburb of Yeronga, the development embraces its unique parkland setting to foster a lifestyle defined by connection, comfort and quiet enjoyment. The Village Yeronga offers residents a rare balance of calm retreat and urban accessibility. Just five kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD, the village is ideally positioned to provide convenient access to health services, shopping precincts and cultural amenities, while remaining deeply connected to the relaxed, green character that defines Yeronga.

The apartments and penthouses have been architecturally designed to support independent living while offering flexibility for residents’ changing needs over time. Light-filled interiors, considered layouts and seamless connections to outdoor spaces enhance daily living, while passive design principles and durable, low-maintenance materials contribute to long-term comfort and operational efficiency.

Communal spaces throughout the village are central to daily life, encouraging social interaction, wellbeing and a strong sense of belonging. Together, these elements ensure The Village Yeronga remains a place where residents can continue to live confidently, independently and with dignity, supported by a resilient and thoughtfully designed community.

The Hyatt Coolum Visitor Centre for Lend Lease welcomes visitors with expansive walls of glass capturing views to Mount Coolum. The light filled open plan space caters for functions, openings and a permanent sales display with associated offices. Copper clad walls and an earthy patina to the subdued material and colour palette, settling the building into its golf course location. The floating roof is accentuated by effective lighting by night to give the appearance that the whole form floats lightly over the ponds beneath.

Jade is one of our most iconic and memorable projects. Everything about the project was exemplary. The vision for the project was to attract an international clientele who would be using these for permanent residences or for holidays. This understanding informed the project at every level, from the flow of the floor plan to the detailing of the understated but opulent finishes. The result is pure luxury but with genuinely Queensland sense of relaxed living.

Timeless architecture is difficult to achieve, but there is no doubt that this project still remains one of our most recognised and enduring projects.

What is the appropriate response when designing a contemporary family home in a sensitive and historical setting? Minimal and raw yet textured and welcoming, the Paddington Residence is an exploration of space and materials for a rigorously contemporary family home in a historical setting. Beyond simply satisfying the client’s spatial requirements, the design explores how to create layered spaces with edges that offer privacy and flexibility.

The challenge within this brief was to deliver their spatial requirements on a small 400 square metre site with heritage neighbours, a very steep slope and ensuring protection of the significant tree. The design response has been to imagine the home as a procession of 5 distinct spaces, each with their own function, transitioning from the historic Moreton Bay Fig Tree to the west and the views to the city to the east.