The difference between good and bad architecture is the time you spend on it
About Us
It’s your home, not ours. That’s why we’ll design your home exactly the way you want—right from how it looks to the way it works. Put simply, our homes not only look beautiful but they also work.
Backed by scientific tools and technology, our designs take out the guesswork, so you can feel confident that your home is performing at its optimal level. And when we say “performing”, we mean things like thermal comfort, air quality, ventilation and humidity are all working like they should.
We also understand things are always changing—the Australian climate, the seasons, and your lifestyle. Our designs take into account all these changes. Because we believe in creating forever homes that are intended to last forever.
We don’t expect you to visualise your space with only plans and renders. That’s why we also offer 3D walkthroughs and virtual reality. Whatever your visualisation preference—we make sure that you understand how your space will look and feel.
We like working with people who value good design. We like working with people who are open to new possibilities. And we like working with people who respect the environment. It’s when we work with people like this—we get the best results.
Does this sound like you? Send us an email enquiries@seedarchitects.com.au to arrange a consultation.
Performing Homes
What is a performing home? Don’t all new homes perform well? Don’t the regulations ensure that all homes perform to an acceptable standard? These are all questions we regularly asked.
We believe that a home should be cool in summer and warm in winter, without the need to constantly condition the air. We believe a home should have good air quality, be well ventilated and have the humidity controlled. We believe that homes should not develop mould or have condensation, even on windows. When all of these factors are at the optimal level, you have a performing home that is healthy and comfortable. Achieve this and you will also have an energy efficient home with a low carbon footprint.
It comes as a surprise to many that the current National Construction Code doesn’t mandate for homes to be built to perform, but regrettably, it doesn’t. Nor does compliance with “sustainability” assessments that are required, such as NathHERS or BASIX. These regulations still allow houses to be built that are draughty, suffer great temperature fluctuations that have to be controlled by over conditioning the air and inadequately control moisture in the home and its structures. Compared with other countries, even those with similar climates to Australia, our regulations are outdated, failing to take advantage in great gains in the quality of the built environment that has come about due to advancements in our understand of the science behind how a building works (Building Physics).
So how do you make a home “perform”? This can be broken down into 3 areas – overall design, choice of materials and components and, finally, quality of construction, with each having an important role to play.
Designing for Performance
Designing for performance needs to happen from the very start of a project. It is not an add-on that can be considered once the house design is finished. So what are the important design decisions that impact the overall performance of a home? Learn More
Specifying for Performance
While a good design is the first step to ensure that a home can maintain a comfortable temperature and the correct humidity, without carefully testing and then specifying the best combination of components for the building fabric, the house will never perform correctly. Learn More
Building for Performance
Even the best design, coupled with the best specification will be badly compromised if poorly built. SEED, through careful documentation and contract administration, ensures your home is built to a standard that equals the design and specification. Learn More
Practice Principal
Simon Nelson
RAIA, MSc Man, BDes, MArch
Practice Principal – Registered Architect NSW ARB 10634
Simon came to architecture later in life, having already had a successful career as a management consultant, where he had a reputation for understanding how new technology can impact and improve both businesses and the life of the individual.
On emigrating to Australia, Simon studied architecture at UTS in Sydney, graduating in 2013. During this time, he developed a passion for using technology to ensure that not only do buildings look great, but they also work effectively and efficiently.
After gaining experience working for large practices across a wide range of projects, Simon set up SEED in order to be able to focus on work where he can make the biggest difference. This has led to a focus on helping clients build quality homes which, through the application of science and technology, are not only beautiful but also perform at the optimal level. This performance is achieved through the initial design and through the specification of the appropriate materials and systems.
As important as design a good home is, the construction phase of a project makes a significant difference to the overall quality and performance and Simon particularly enjoys helping clients throughout the build process. Because of the importance that he places on this role, Simon teaches Project Management to architecture students at UTS and UNSW.
Simon is a family man who is taking great pleasure and pride in watching his daughters progress through the latter stages of their education and university. Whenever time allows, he can be found on the water, sailing.