Journal.
Notes from the studio — practical writing on residential design, renovations, R-Codes compliance, and the slow craft of drawing houses for Perth.
01
Essential Guide to Home Renovations in Perth: Tips and Compliance
Explore vital tips for successful home renovations in Perth, including regulations and practical advice for homeowners.
13 APR 2026
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02
Essential Tips for Sustainable Home Design in Perth
Explore practical advice for sustainable home design in Perth, tailored to local regulations and climate.
6 APR 2026
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03
Maximize Your Home’s Potential with Professional Drafting Services in Perth
Discover how professional drafting services can enhance your home design in Perth.
30 MAR 2026
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04
Maximizing Your Space: Tips for Homeowners in Perth
Discover practical tips for optimizing your home’s space in Perth, ensuring compliance with local regulations and enhancing your living experience.
23 MAR 2026
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05
The Importance of Quality Drafting Services for Your Perth Home
Learn why quality drafting services are essential for your Perth home project.
16 MAR 2026
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06
Maximizing Space in Your Perth Home: Tips from ZengCAD Drafting Services
Discover practical space-saving tips for your Perth home from ZengCAD Drafting Services.
9 MAR 2026
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07
Essential Tips for Home Renovations in Perth: A Guide by Barreto Building Design
Discover essential tips for managing home renovations in Perth. Learn about regulations and best practices from Barreto Building Design.
2 MAR 2026
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08
Maximizing Space in Your Perth Home: Expert Tips from ZengCAD Drafting Services
Discover practical tips to maximize space in your Perth home with ZengCAD Drafting Services.
23 FEB 2026
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09
Top Tips for Eco-Friendly Home Design in Perth
Discover essential tips for eco-friendly home design tailored for Perth homeowners.
16 FEB 2026
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10
Top Tips for Sustainable Home Design in Perth
Discover essential tips for sustainable home design in Perth, ensuring energy efficiency and comfort.
9 FEB 2026
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11
Your Guide to Sustainable Building Design in Perth: Tips from Barreto Building Design
Explore sustainable building design tips for your Perth home with Barreto Building Design.
2 FEB 2026
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12
Transform Your Home with Professional Drafting Services in Perth
Explore the benefits of professional drafting services for your home in Perth, WA. Get practical advice and insights on regulations.
26 JAN 2026
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13
Transform Your Home with Expert Drafting Services in Perth
Discover how professional drafting services can elevate your home design in Perth, WA.
19 JAN 2026
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14
The Ultimate Guide to Sustainable Home Design in Perth
Explore sustainable home design strategies for Perth homeowners and learn how to maximize energy efficiency.
12 JAN 2026
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15
Essential Tips for Sustainable Home Design in Perth
Explore essential tips for sustainable home design in Perth, tailored for homeowners looking to make eco-friendly choices.
5 JAN 2026
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16
Effective Home Design Tips for Perth Homeowners
Discover practical home design advice tailored for Perth homeowners, focusing on local regulations and trends.
29 DEC 2025
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17
Granny Flats in Perth: Ancillary Dwelling Requirements
Granny Flats in Perth: Ancillary Dwelling Requirements Ancillary dwellings, commonly known as granny flats, are an excellent way to add value to your property while providing flexible accommodation options. Here’s what you need to know about building one in Perth. What is an Ancillary Dwelling? Unde
28 DEC 2025
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18
R-Codes Setback Requirements Explained
R-Codes Setback Requirements Explained One of the most common questions I receive is about setback requirements under WA’s Residential Design Codes. Understanding these rules is essential for anyone planning a new home, extension, or renovation in Perth. What Are Setbacks? Setbacks are the minimum d
28 DEC 2025
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19
Second Storey Additions: What You Need to Know
Second Storey Additions: What You Need to Know Adding a second storey is one of the most effective ways to increase your home’s living space without sacrificing garden area. But before you start planning, there are important regulations to understand. Height Limits Under the R-Codes, building height
28 DEC 2025
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20
Site Coverage and Open Space Requirements in Perth
Site Coverage and Open Space Requirements in Perth How much of your block can you actually build on? This is one of the first questions to answer when planning any residential project in Perth. The R-Codes set clear requirements for site coverage and open space. What is Open Space? Under the R-Codes
28 DEC 2025
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21
The Planning Approval Process in Perth
The Planning Approval Process in Perth Navigating the planning approval process can seem daunting, but understanding the steps involved makes it much more manageable. Here’s what to expect when submitting a Development Application (DA) in Perth. When Do You Need Planning Approval? You typically need
28 DEC 2025
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22
Understanding Hilton Heritage Area Fencing Requirements
Understanding Hilton Heritage Area Fencing Requirements If you’re planning to build or replace a front fence in Hilton, you’ll need to navigate the City of Fremantle’s Local Planning Policy 3.7. This heritage area has specific requirements designed to preserve the garden suburb character that makes
28 DEC 2025
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23
Patio – City of Joondalup
Patio – City of Joondalup What better way to enjoy a sunny fill afternoon than sitting outside out on your patio! Perth residents generally have comfortable weather year round – which makes it ideal place for alfresco living. Adding a patio to your home will provide you the chance to combine the ind
13 NOV 2017
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24
Gatehouse – Town of Claremont
Gatehouse What better way to give your home a grand entry, than to use a gatehouse. A place where you or your visitors can hide from the weather from those rainy days in winter or seek refuge from our hot Perth summer heat. A gatehouse structure does not have to detract from the façade of…
28 OCT 2017
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25
Decorating the Façade of your Traditional Home
Decorating the Façade of your Traditional Home From decorative timber turned posts to fretworks, your home exterior sets the tone for your internal décor. There are a number of attractive façade elements that you can use for your traditional home to express your own unique and individual style. We h
19 OCT 2017
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26
Development Applications – Perth
Development Application It really pays off to be well informed from the very beginning of your build. And do you know what the very first step is to commence your build? Yep, you guessed it, the Development Application. So we thought we would help you out with Development Application 101. Get your D
15 OCT 2017
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27
Town of Victoria Park – Limestone Retaining Wall
Town of Victoria Park Limestone Retaining Wall A retaining wall is a wall or structure designed and constructed to support soil on a slope unable to be naturally supported. While they are designed to support earth, a retaining wall may also be used at locations that are placed under stress, such as
25 SEP 2017
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28
Town of Cambridge – Carport
Town of Cambridge Carport In our hot, dry Perth climate protecting your vehicles from the elements is absolutely essential. One popular way to do this, is to design and build a carport. A carport is a practical alternative to a garage and can be completed for a fraction of the cost. With a carefully
17 SEP 2017
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29
Bathroom Wall Tiles
Bathroom Wall Tiles No matter how well your bathroom has been designed, selecting the wrong tiles can have a devastating effect on the overall vibe and style of your bathroom. Sixties powder blue vanity and matching bathtub anyone? For the majority of people, selecting tiles can be quite simply, ove
11 SEP 2017
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30
City of Wanneroo – Front Fence
Front Fences A good fence will not only provide privacy and security; it can also add to the aesthetic appeal of your property and outdoor space. Guiding clients to design and select an appropriate fence for their property, that not only meets their needs and style, but also complies with local coun
5 SEP 2017
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31
City of Stirling – Building Height
Residential Building Height Height is one of the most important elements of any space or building. In todays residential drafting and building design landscape, clients are requesting bigger houses, larger rooms, taller ceilings and higher roofs. So it is therefore more important now, than ever befo
9 AUG 2017
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32
Survey Set-Outs and How These Help In the Construction Process of Residential Buildings in Australia
Survey Set-Outs and How These Help In the Construction Process of Residential Buildings in Australia Surveying is rather a refined practice which has its own expertise. Before the construction, of anything, it is necessary to a have a site survey plan done to set out boundaries, levels and recognise
12 MAY 2017
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33
Cost Estimates in Construction
Cost Estimates in Construction Cost estimation is a very important department in any construction business because it involves experience, survey, budgeting and other such expertise. A proper understanding of the materials, measurements, physical resource requirements and regulatory restrictions, th
6 MAY 2017
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34
The Construction Contract
The Construction Contract Scheduling or working on a timeline is very important in a construction project. The finer details of such an important clause are maintained in a construction contract. A contract is something that binds both the builder and the investor to a legal framework. Thus, it is a
3 MAY 2017
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35
10 Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint When Building Your New Home
When building a new home in today’s economy and landscape, it is essential to consider goals for clean energy, and a clean earth. Global warming is real and affecting people in the ways they build their new homes, in order to help the earth, as a whole, by reducing carbon footprint. When a home owne
19 MAY 2016
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36
External Cladding Systems in Australia
Cladding is an exterior material used in buildings, to provide weatherproof protection, as well as enhance the external appearance of a dwelling. The materials used for this application can vary, depending on the weather conditions, a specific elevation might have to withstand, as well as cost limit
3 JAN 2016
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37
Timber Framing in Australia
Lightweight framed constructions are the most common construction systems used in Australia. There is two types of lightweight frames -steel and timber- with timber frames being the most common frames used, for being light, strong and easy to install. For the purpose of this article, I’ll be discuss
29 DEC 2015
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38
Roof Trusses in Australia
There is many types of roof shapes, but I will concentrate on the most common ones used in Australia. The selection of a specific shape depends on various factors such as shade provided, attic space, strength, drainage requirements and aesthetics. A well planned roof can play an important part in en
22 DEC 2015
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39
Environmentally Friendly Homes in Australia
Reducing the environmental impact of your new project or home, is becoming an increasingly important step, as we continue contributing to global warming and approaching the depletion of fossil fuels. Australian households are responsible for one fifth of Australia’s greenhouse emissions, according t
24 NOV 2015
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