CLAD — Carey Landwehr Architecture & Design

An open practice.

is a regenerative architecture practice working on housing, community and research across Victoria and Tasmania. Founded in 2021 by , the practice builds on over a decade of delivering community and housing work across Australia; established with a particular ambition: to make architecture accessible, not just something reserved for those with the most means.

That ambition shapes everything we do. Whether the project is a careful retrofit or a new community facility, we design with our clients and users, not just for them, and the work that results aspires to be collaborative, regenerative and, above all, . Our follows naturally from this: listen carefully, ask the right questions, and bring the right people together from the start. We prefer a straightforward conversation to obscure architect-talk, and we won't pretend to know the answers to questions outside our . To keep things transparent, we also publish indicative fees, stages and , along with guides to help clients through the process of getting something designed and built.

Carey is registered in both Victoria and Tasmania and is a Living Future Oceania accredited designer, a designation within the world's most ambitious sustainability framework. , alongside practice, he teaches and lectures across design, theory and construction subjects at multiple Melbourne universities, and the practice's ongoing and advocacy work keeps us connected to the questions that matter today.

The result of all this?

Architecture that is considered. Designed with you. Delivered with

Learn more about our services

Selected work

All projects

A good
place to start.

Working with an architect

What does an architect do?

An architect designs buildings and helps manage the process of getting them built. We assess the site and planning requirements, develop the design with you, prepare drawings, select materials and coordinate engineers and other consultants. During construction, we help check the quality of the work.
Our Working with an Architect guide explains the stages and what to expect.

How do I get started?

Contact us, email contact@cl-ad.com.au, or call +61 423 400 578 to arrange a conversation.
Tell us what you're considering and what you'd like to spend. We'll explain what's involved and whether we can help. There's no obligation to proceed.

I don't have a clear idea yet. Can we still talk?

Yes. You might know that your home no longer suits you without knowing what needs to change.
We can help you explore the options for your site, budget and council requirements. You don't need a finished brief or drawings before getting in touch.

Is my project too small for an architect?

We work on small extensions and renovations as well as larger projects. The scope of our involvement depends on what you need.
Projects with a construction budget above roughly $150,000 to $200,000 typically benefit from comprehensive architectural services. For smaller budgets, we can provide concept design, review plans prepared by a builder, or assess a property's potential before you buy. We agree on the scope and fee with you before starting.

How much does an architect cost?

Full architectural services, from the initial brief through construction oversight, typically cost 8 to 15 per cent of the construction budget for residential projects in Victoria. For a $500,000 project, that's roughly $40,000 to $75,000. For a $1,000,000 project, $80,000 to $120,000 is a realistic range.
Smaller or more complex projects usually sit at the higher end of the percentage range. A $300,000 renovation can require nearly as much coordination as a $600,000 one. Projects above $2 million tend to have lower fee percentages, although the total fee is higher.
You can also engage us for part of the process, such as concept design, documentation or services during construction.
Before work begins, we provide a fee proposal showing the scope and cost of each stage for your approval.

How long does a typical project take?

Most residential projects take 18 to 36 months from the first meeting to moving in. Planning approval is often the largest source of uncertainty.
A small renovation under $300K might take 8 to 18 months. A major renovation between $300K and $1M typically takes 14 to 28 months. A new home with a budget of $500K to $2M usually takes 18 to 30 months, while complex or prestige homes can take 24 to 40 months.
These estimates exclude a VCAT appeal. If a planning permit is refused and you choose to appeal, allow another 6 to 12 months.

Will you design what you want, or what I want?

Your brief, budget and the way you live guide the design. We work through options with you and explain the reasons behind our recommendations.
Part of our role is to suggest possibilities you may not have considered and explain any constraints. You'll have opportunities to review the design as it develops.

What makes CLAD different from other practices?

Our work brings together residential projects, community and social housing, and research and teaching. Experience with housing authorities informs our work on individual homes, while teaching and research give us opportunities to test ideas we use in practice.
We're accredited by the Living Future Institute and design to the Petal Certification threshold where the brief and budget allow.
Clients help develop the brief through co-design sessions. Where relevant, community stakeholders take part too. Our portfolio shows how this approach shapes the work.

What areas do you service?

CLAD holds full architectural registration in Victoria (ARBV: 800063) and Tasmania (TAS: 1416). We also work elsewhere in Australia with consultants and collaborators who help us meet local requirements.

CLAD — get in touch

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