About DS

Design that facilitates innovation.

We understand that innovation is about thinking differently; taking a new approach; figuring out a better way to solve a problem; developing a creative approach to implementing something.

As a team of passionate architects and designers we use our creative skills to apply this understanding to projects to enhance our client’s purpose. We engage with our clients to design solutions that support their innovations.

DS workplace
Service| Courage| Open mindedness| Dependability

We are an established architectural practice and can trace our roots back to Blomquist + Wark Architects founded in 1976. We work with an expansive range of clients including universities, schools, institutions, developers, private companies and co-ops that understand the value of design and innovation, and the value of a design team aligned with their vision.

A brief history

1976

Peter Blomquist and Graham Wark founded Blomquist + Wark. Amongst their earliest commissions were projects for The University of Melbourne and Kenworth Trucks. Both associations have endured nearly 40 years.

1980’s

Peter and Graham galvanised B+W as a medium sized Melbourne based practice providing architectural services to clients throughout Australia. Projects include work for government agencies such as the Department of Transport and Australian Federal Police.

1994

Juris Drezins joins B+W as a recently qualified graduate architect. For his first project Juris works on a brewery project in China for the Fosters Group.

1990’s

B+W experiences a boom period in the dairy sector, completing a number of significant dairy projects for major clients such as Bonlac (Fonterra), Nestle, Peters & Brownes, and National Foods (Lion).

2000

Peter Schreuder joins the practice.

2000’s

Continued dairy work with Murray Goulburn Co-operative and key education work with an innovative ‘prototype’ collaborative learning space for The University of Melbourne.

2004

B+W implements a succession plan with Peter Schreuder appointed a Director and Mark Gilling promoted to Associate Director.

2005

Peter Blomquist retires.

2008

Juris Drezins becomes a shareholder and Director, Peter Schreuder becomes Managing Director.

2009

We design ‘The George’, a $30M seven storey student services hub for Swinburne University, and is appointed to their Architect’s Panel.

2012

The Green Skills Centre of Excellence, designed to meet Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) 5 Star rating for an educational facility is officially opened.

2013

Milk processing plants in Victoria and New South Wales designed for Murray Goulburn.

New facilities for Film & TV designed for Swinburne University of Technology

2014

Graham Wark retires. B+W are appointed by Deakin University to design new facilities for Life and Environment Sciences and Education Department at the Burwood Campus

We design new facilities for Post Graduates at Monash University

2015

Company changes name to DS Architects Pty Ltd, reflecting the current ownership. New facilities for the School of Education designed for Deakin University.