Our Work
Design that Facilitates Innovation
You understand that innovation is working out a better way to solve your problem.
You know that to move forward you need to innovate.
So do we.
We believe innovation should be considered in all aspects of a project - design, process, ideas and people. We help realise your ideas by designing to facilitate innovation.
But what is design that facilitates innovation?
It is designing the receptacle that gives life to your idea; It is when the built form becomes an integral part of the idea and in doing so inspires and supports innovative processes and ideas; It is design based on what has come before and realised in a better way.
Over 20 years we have approached projects with this understanding of innovation.
We have applied it to teaching spaces and research laboratories; to homes and factories; to community centres and clinics. We use our imagination, inventiveness and creative skills to produce designs that are unique, considered and the best they can be.
_We helped the University of Melbourne implement learning spaces
to support their innovative approach to group work.
_At Deakin University we helped them create
a one-of-a kind sporting facility
so they would continue to be world leaders in their speciality.
_By rethinking and refining the design and procurement processes
we helped Murray Goulburn meet their commitment to provide milk to Coles by
getting new factories designed in almost impossible timelines.
_At Monash University we’ve been helping them implement
their innovative approach to next generation learning spaces
into existing buildings at their Peninsula and Clayton Campuses.
_At Melbourne High School
we helped them implement a template for collaborative learning spaces
to support their innovative approach to the delivery of their curriculum.
_We helped Kenworth Trucks design and implement
an expansion and workflow change to their Bayswater factory
so that capacity could be increased without impacting their day to day operations.
_We designed our new office
to support team work and open discussion
in the belief
that we cannot help our clients realise their innovations
without doing it ourselves.
You know the future is full of possibilities and is going to be different to the present.
You know that change is all around us.
You understand the value of design in helping us meet these changes.
So do we.
By identifying and articulating the project objectives we facilitate the progression of a project from start to finish. Up front work on design and delivery options optimises our client’s outcomes. We manage and balance risk, time and quality for projects through innovative planning, scheduling, cost tracking and resource management.
Our in-house Interior Design capability provides additional resources to our design team. From basic fit-outs to complex incorporation of corporate branding our interior designers add interest and value to any project.
We are driven to deliver unique, innovative and functional buildings, based on our ability to understand our client’s requirements and convert them into a concept. We take an holistic approach designing around the idea of the whole facility – how it operates, how it looks and feels, how much it costs and how it will be delivered.
Our Journal
5 Ways Architects Help Their Clients Innovate
Architects, like us at DS, that want to help you innovate understand our role is not that of being the innovator alone. It is working with you to create an environment that encourages and supports innovation from everyone. We do our part by: 1. Challenging We challenge you to consider options and keep an open […]
One way to ask for something – and get it. The Exercise and Sports Science Teaching Building at Deakin University.
At the opening of the Exercise and Sports Science Teaching Building Professor David Crawford told a story, along these lines, of how the idea for the building was raised. In 2016 we got a call from the Academic Rankings of World Universities (ARWU) telling us our School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences programme had been […]
Change is hard
by Carlee Smith Some of the changes we need to make to create a positive impact are often highlighted. These include reducing waste, reusing materials, recycling consumables. At the beginning of my architectural education I learnt that the building industry contributes to nearly 40% of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions, but it was attending this year’s […]
David Miller, Associate Director
We’re very pleased to announce the promotion of David Miller to Associate Director. David has a long history with DS. He started his career with us in 2002 when we were Blomquist and Wark. In 2011 he took a break to spend some time working with developers – and in 2013 we convinced him to […]
How we are bringing change to a 40 year old practice. And Why.
We trace our roots back to 1976, to Blomquist and Wark Architects founded by Graham Wark and Peter Blomquist. 40+ years of continued practice has brought stability, experience and maturity. However, while we are 40 years old, we want to be 40 years young! No company can stand still and continue to be relevant. We […]