A Building Designer specialises in creating plans for residential buildings including new homes, renovations, and extensions. We focus on practical, creative designs that meet council requirements and building codes. Building Designers work closely with you to translate your vision into detailed plans ready for building approval and construction.

In Queensland you generally need a relevant tertiary qualification (often a Diploma of Building Design or higher), at least two years supervised industry experience in the licence scope, and a Building Design licence issued by the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) — licence classes are Low Rise, Medium Rise and Open, each defining what projects you may lawfully design.

In Queensland, a Building Designer is a licensed professional who can take full responsibility for designing buildings, including creating original plans and making design decisions that affect how a building looks, functions, and meets regulations. A Draftsperson typically works under supervision to produce technical drawings and documentation based on someone else's design concepts.

All Aspects Design Studio is licensed by QBCC for both Low Rise and Medium Rise classes. This allows us to design a wide range of residential projects including new homes, renovations, extensions, and multi-unit developments up to three storeys.

We primarily serve Brisbane and South East Queensland, including suburbs from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast. Our Brisbane base in Hawthorne allows us to efficiently service most SEQ locations for site visits and consultations.

Design costs vary based on project complexity, size, and requirements. We provide a fixed quote after our initial consultation so you know the investment upfront. This transparency allows you to budget effectively for your project.

This depends on project scope, size and complexity. Smaller projects typically take 3-6 months, while complex site or character homes can take 6-12 months as additional time is required for council lodgements and infrastructure owner approvals.

Our new home plans include site analysis, concept designs, detailed floor plans, elevations, sections, site plans, and all documentation required for building approval. We also provide 3D visualisations to help you understand the design before construction begins.

Yes — sloping sites are one of our specialties. We work with the natural topography to minimise earthworks while maximising views, using split-level designs and undercroft spaces. Sloping blocks often fall under the Steep land or Landslide hazard overlays in Brisbane City Plan 2014, which we factor into the design from the outset.

Yes, we regularly design for sites with Flood and Overland Flow overlays across Brisbane. Habitable floor levels are set above the Defined Flood Level (DFL) plus a mandatory freeboard, while lower non-habitable spaces such as garages use flood-resilient materials. We confirm your DFL and overlay requirements with Brisbane City Council before finalising floor levels.

Most external renovations and internal structural renovations in Brisbane require building approval and therefore need plans. Having professional plans ensures quality outcomes and helps with builder quoting.

We design renovations that complement your existing home style, whether it's a Queenslander, post-war, or modern home. We consider rooflines, materials, proportions, and character elements to create a seamless integration.

Options include rear extensions, side extensions, second storey additions, or raise and build under. The best approach depends on your site, existing home, budget, and lifestyle needs. We assess all options during our initial consultation.

A raise and build under involves lifting your existing home and constructing new living spaces underneath. This is a popular Brisbane renovation approach that doubles your living space while preserving your existing home and avoiding demolition costs.

Most traditional Queensland homes, including Queenslanders and post-war homes, are suitable for raising. Brick homes can also be raised but require additional structural considerations. We assess your home's suitability during our initial consultation.

Yes. A raise and build under always needs a Building Approval (BA), and a Development Approval (DA) is often required as well — particularly for pre-1946 homes in the Traditional Building Character Overlay, or where the raised height exceeds your zone's building height limit (commonly two storeys / 9.5m). Our plans include the structural engineering and site documentation needed for approval.

Common uses include additional bedrooms, living areas, home offices, rumpus rooms, bathrooms, laundry, and garage space. We design the layout to maximise your new space while meeting building codes.

Extension plan costs vary based on the complexity and size of your project. We provide a fixed quote after our initial consultation so you know the design costs upfront before proceeding.

Most house extensions in Brisbane require building approval. Some small additions may qualify as accepted development. We advise on approval requirements during our initial consultation.

This depends on project scope, size and complexity. Smaller projects typically take 3-6 months, while complex site or character homes can take 6-12 months as additional time is required for council lodgements and infrastructure owner approvals.

Character housing refers to homes built in or before 1946 that contribute to Brisbane's traditional streetscape — typically Queenslanders, workers' cottages and bungalows. Under Brisbane City Plan 2014 these homes usually sit within the Traditional Building Character Overlay, which applies specific planning rules to protect their original form and detailing, especially to the street.

Yes — character homes can be renovated, extended and raised. The Traditional Building Character (Design) Overlay Code generally protects the original pre-1946 form and front facade, while allowing more flexibility for sympathetic rear and under-house additions. Our designs respect the original character while delivering modern living spaces, which also helps streamline council approval.

Yes. Pre-1946 homes in the Traditional Building Character Overlay are subject to both the Design and the Demolition overlay codes under Brisbane City Plan 2014, which control removal or demolition of original fabric and changes to the street-facing facade. Most demolition or significant facade change to a pre-1946 house triggers a Development Application (DA). We design to these rules and advise on the likely approval pathway.

We discuss your project goals, inspect your site (if applicable), review any constraints, and understand your budget. After the consultation, we provide a proposal outlining scope, timeline, and fixed fee for the design work.

Yes, we provide 3D visualisations as part of our design process. These help you understand the design before construction begins and are useful for making design decisions and communicating with builders. We also offer a 3d walk-through file.

We design plans that builders love to quote and construct. While we don't build ourselves, we can provide recommendations for builders experienced in your project type. We also coordinate with builders during the design process if you've already engaged one.

We coordinate with structural engineers, surveyors, town planners, hydraulic engineers, energy assessors, and other consultants as required for your project. We manage these relationships to ensure a seamless design process.

Most projects need a Building Approval (BA), issued by a private building certifier, before construction. Some also need a Development Approval (DA) from Brisbane City Council — typically a Material Change of Use (MCU) for multi-dwelling developments, a reconfiguring a lot (subdivision) application, or planning approval where a proposal triggers an overlay such as character or flood. We identify which approvals apply during your initial consultation.

Building Approval (BA) through a private certifier typically takes 2-4 weeks once plans are submitted. A Development Application (DA) with Brisbane City Council usually takes 6-12 weeks or longer depending on complexity and whether public notification is required. We design to the relevant codes to minimise delays and information requests.

We provide approval-ready plans and can coordinate the submission process. We work with private building certifiers who assess plans and issue building approvals. For planning approvals, we can recommend experienced town planners.