Local Architects For Balgowlah Heights Homes
Balgowlah Heights has a way of influencing the feel of your home. Some blocks open to harbour views, some tuck into leafy streets, and many deal with slopes, constant breeze, and strong sun. Good design here isn’t about making a statement for the sake of it. It’s about getting the plan, light, and comfort aesthetic right, so the house feels easy to live in.
Du Plessis + Du Plessis Architects is a small Northern Beaches practice run by two directors. We’ve been designing locally since 1998, and between us we bring 27 years of hands-on experience in this part of Sydney. When you call, one of us answers. When you’re designing, you work directly with us — you’re not passed around a big office. People often come to us after meeting with a few architectural firms and deciding they want someone who listens first.
What We Design
We work on luxury homes, careful renovations, dual occupancies, and multi-unit residential projects. We’re registered architects and Class 2 building practitioners, which means we can prepare and lodge regulated designs for Class 2 buildings under the NSW Design and Building Practitioners Scheme. That registration is now mandatory for multi-unit work in NSW, and it keeps your project compliant from day one.
We also help with subdivision feasibility on the Northern Beaches, especially when clients or developers want to know early if a site can support a dual occupation or a more complex build.
Because we live and work around Balgowlah Heights, we’re used to the local realities: view sharing, privacy, heritage pockets, zoning rules, coastal weather, and the way council expects a project to be documented. We don’t bury you in jargon. We simply explain what matters, what’s possible, and what the likely path looks like. If you’re comparing architects in Balgowlah Heights, this local knowledge saves time.
No Signature Style | Your Home, Not Ours
A lot of people come to us after looking at other architects and feeling boxed into a pre-designed “look.” That’s not how we work. We stick to classic principles — form follows function, natural light, cross ventilation, with passive heating and cooling. From there, the aesthetic comes from you. Whether your taste leans minimalist, heritage, Hamptons, colonial, farmhouse, or something bolder, we shape the building around your life and your style.
Architecture & Interiors, Together
We design the building and the interiors as one piece. That matters in Balgowlah Heights homes, where sightlines, sunlight, storage, and daily flow need to work together. Many firms outsource interiors; we don’t. It keeps the whole project consistent and saves you from running two separate design teams. It’s one of the reasons clients and agents recommend us to friends looking for architects nearby.
How A Project Moves Forward
Most people want to know what to expect before they start, so we keep things straightforward:
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We talk about how you live and what you need.
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We look at the site and give clear feedback on what’s possible.
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We sketch ideas so you can see the direction early.
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We refine the design and handle the DA and CC steps.
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We stay involved through tender and construction until the home is complete.
This steady process helps take the pressure off approvals and building, especially for homes in Balgowlah Heights.
Ready To Talk?
If you’re planning a new home, renovation, dual occupancy, or a small multi-unit building in Balgowlah Heights, we’d love to hear what you have in mind. As architects who work in Balgowlah Heights every week, we can give you an honest read on what’s possible and what’s worth doing. Speak with the directors on +61 433 408 368 or reach out through our contact form to book an initial design consultation.
FAQS
Do you only work on luxury homes?
We mainly work on high-end residential projects because that’s where our approach fits best — careful planning, strong detailing, and homes that feel considered in every corner. That said, the real measure for us is whether the project suits the client and the site.
Can you take on dual occupancies and subdivision projects?
Yes. We regularly help homeowners and developers explore dual occupancy and subdivision options on the Northern Beaches. We’ll give you a realistic view early, so you know what’s worth pursuing before you spend money on design or applications.
What does being a Class 2 building practitioner mean for us?
It means we’re qualified to design and lodge regulated multi-unit residential work in NSW. For projects like duplexes and apartment-style developments, Class 2 registered practitioners are required under current NSW rules
Do you handle council approvals?
Yes. We manage DA and CC documentation and guide the approval process. Northern Beaches rules can be strict, especially around zones, heritage areas, privacy and bulk. We help you work through that early and keep things moving without drama.
Do you have a specific style you push?
No. We don’t work with a signature style. We focus on the basics — good planning, light, ventilation, comfort and long-term function. The look comes from you, and we shape it into something that works.
Are you involved during construction?
Yes. We stay involved through tender and construction, so the build reflects the design properly, and so you’re not left to sort issues on your own.