This depends on your home, site, brief and budget. Renovating is often the right approach when: • The existing structure is in good condition • You’re working within a defined budget • There are elements of your home that you love and want to retain • There are sections of the home you can retain as-is, or at least you are keen to renovate within the same footprint A knockdown rebuild may be worth considering if: • the home is poorly oriented • the layout can’t be improved effectively • major structural issues are present • Major reconfiguration is required to improve the homes function We assess both options early so you can make a clear, informed decision. Knock down rebuilds vs full renovation and extensions are generally around $100,000 - $300,000 different for a similar level of finish.

Timeframes vary depending on the complexity of the project, but a typical process looks like: • Architectural and Interior Design: 6 months with monthly meetings • Design/ Development Approvals: 1–3 months concurrent with Architectural and Interior design • Builder tendering and negotiations: 1-3 months • Building Approval: 1 month • Builder Availability: varies greatly, but typically around 3-6 months from tender acceptance/ contract signing • Construction: Renovations are typically 3-9 months, New builds are 9-12 months. We guide you through each stage and coordinate with consultants to keep the process as smooth and efficient as possible. Our general advice is from the first design meeting most clients are moving back into their finished home 2 years later.

We do this by: • engaging with a builder early in the design process for preliminary costing and/or early contractor engagement • preparing a detailed set of drawings and specifications, so your builder can prepare a fixed price contract with minimal provisional costs • inviting multiple trusted builders to provide competitive tenders on new build and larger scale renovations that have a clear scope of works This approach helps ensure your project is fully scoped and costed before building begins — which is one of the most effective ways to avoid budget blowouts.

In some cases, yes - but it’s important to have an overall plan from the start. Staging a renovation can be a practical approach if you’re working within a budget, allowing you to prioritise key areas first and complete the rest over time. However, without a clear long-term strategy, it can lead to rework, inefficiencies, or missed opportunities. We typically recommend developing a master plan for the whole home, even if construction is staged. This helps ensure each stage fits together and that future works are anticipated in the early design decisions.

The most effective way to avoid budget blowouts is to resolve the design in detail before construction begins. This includes: • preparing a comprehensive set of drawings and specifications • making key decisions about materials and finishes early • ensuring the scope of work is clearly defined We also recommend obtaining pricing from multiple builders through a structured tender process, so you have a clear understanding of costs before committing. Many budget issues arise when decisions are left unresolved or documentation is incomplete. Taking the time to work through these details upfront can make a significant difference to how smoothly the project runs.

Choosing the right builder is a key part of a successful renovation - and it’s not just about price. We recommend selecting a builder who: • has experience with renovations (not just new builds) • comes from a trade background not just project management (shout out to our majority of carpenter turned builders) • communicates clearly, is easy to work with and feel like a good honest person • provides transparent, detailed pricing As part of our process, we engage builders for early costing and construction advice to ensure the project is aligning with your budget. On New builds and clearly defined larger renovations, we can run a structured tender, inviting a small number of trusted builders to price the project based on the same documentation. This allows you to compare like-for-like and make a more informed decision.

Yes — we remain involved during construction as your consultant, providing ongoing support and guidance throughout the build. For many of our clients, this is their first time going through a renovation or new build. We’re there to help them navigate the process, answer questions as they arise, and act as a knowledgeable, independent third party to support both them and their builder.

Renovation costs in Canberra vary depending on the scope, but most projects fall into these ranges: • Smaller renovations, limited reconfiguring of home: $150k–$300k • Mid-range renovations, some reconfiguring: $300k–$600k • Full renovations and/or extensions: $600k+ Many of our projects include upgrades to insulation, windows, and structure, which can influence cost — but also significantly improve comfort and energy performance of original condition homes from the 1960's, 1970s and 1980's. We help you understand realistic costs early, by working closely with your builder or with one of our regular builders so you can plan with confidence.

Absolutely! Whether you're looking to renovate, extend, or build a new home, our team specializes in creating energy-efficient and sustainable designs tailored to your needs.

An architect helps bring clarity and direction to your renovation from the very beginning. We work with you to understand how you want your home to function, then translate that into a design that considers layout, natural light, and how the spaces connect. From there, we develop detailed drawings and documentation that guide the project through approvals and construction. During the process, we also coordinate with consultants, assist with builder selection, and help resolve decisions as they arise. The goal is to make the process more considered and less stressful, while ensuring the final outcome works well long-term.

It’s natural to focus on finishes, but the biggest impact usually comes from improving how your home feels and functions. We recommend prioritising: • insulation and overall thermal performance, to improve comfort and health • layout and flow between spaces, to improve your day to day lifestyle • access to natural light, for free heat and the joy of seeing the sun shine into your home • orientation and connection to the outdoors, to make spaces feel larger These decisions shape how your home feels every day. Finishes can always be updated over time, but getting the fundamentals right from the start makes a lasting difference.

Yes — and in many cases, the improvements can be significant. Older homes in Canberra were typically built with little insulation, poor thermal performance and little regard for orientation. Through thoughtful design, we can improve: • indoor comfort year-round • natural light and solar gain • insulation and glazing performance • overall energy use and running costs • Thermal performance and therefor ambient temperature and fluctuations • Health of your home, including mould and condensation issues These upgrades often make a noticeable difference to how your home feels day-to-day.

NatHERS, or the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme, measures a home's energy efficiency. At Tranquil Architecture, we use NatHERS to design homes that achieve high energy ratings, ensuring comfort and sustainability.

Working with a Canberra-based architect means your home is designed with a deep understanding of the local climate, regulations, and housing styles. Canberra has a unique environment — with cold winters, hot summers, and a large number of homes built in the 1960s and 70s. Designing for comfort and performance here requires more than just good design — it requires local knowledge. A local architect understands: • how to design for Canberra’s climate, including solar access and thermal performance • ACT planning and approval processes • the common challenges and opportunities in older Canberra homes • local builders, consultants, and construction costs This insight helps create a smoother process and a more considered outcome. Just as importantly, working with someone local means you have access to support throughout your project — from early design discussions through to construction.

Homes in Canberra often have a lot of potential, but there are a few common pitfalls. One of the biggest mistakes is focusing only on aesthetics without addressing how the home performs. Many Canberra homes have poor insulation, inefficient layouts, and limited connection to natural light - so improving comfort and functionality should be a priority. Another common issue is working around the existing layout too closely, rather than reconsidering how the home could function better. Small changes can sometimes have a big impact. Finally, underestimating the importance of planning and documentation can lead to challenges during construction. Taking the time to properly resolve the design upfront helps avoid costly changes later.

This is one of the most common challenges in Canberra homes, particularly those built with little regard for orientation, single glazing and no insulation. Improving comfort typically involves a combination of: • upgrading insulation in walls, ceilings, and floors • improving window performance or glazing • reducing draughts • adjusting layout or openings to better capture winter sun Even relatively targeted changes can significantly improve comfort, reduce reliance on heating and cooling, reduce condensation and mould in the home and create a healthier home for you and your family.

Yes — after our initial meeting, we provide a custom fixed fee proposal based on your project and scope. This fee is: • clearly broken down into stages • only charged as each stage is completed This gives you clarity from the beginning and flexibility to move through the project at your own pace.

Absolutely! - As much or as little as you like. Some clients love being hands-on, while others prefer us to take the lead. We adapt to what works best for you.

We guide you through a clear, step-by-step process from initial ideas through to construction. This includes: • understanding your home, site, and brief • exploring design options through sketches and 3D modelling • developing detailed architectural drawings • selecting materials, finishes, and fixtures • preparing documentation for approvals and construction • collaborating with your builder and negotiating the project with you and on your behalf • arranging all of the development, entity and building approvals for you Each stage builds on the last, so you can make informed decisions without feeling overwhelmed.

The earlier, the better. Getting advice early helps you: • test ideas before committing to a direction • understand what’s achievable within your budget • avoid costly changes later in the process • Master plan to ensure you don't make upgrades or do works that then need to be removed or redone in future stages Even if you’re still in the early planning stages, having a conversation can help you move forward with clarity.

We begin with an initial consultation to understand your needs, lifestyle, and budget. We will meet with you at your home to discuss your brief, look at your existing home and chat through our initial thoughts about your project. During this meeting, Reine will also run through our process and stages with you, so you can better understand how we work and what we do. Following this meeting we will send you a custom fee proposal based on your brief, your budget and the scope of work you need from us. This is a fixed fee, so you know upfront how much our fees will be for the full process. We then break the fees down across our stages on a do and charge basis, and you can pause the process at any point.