AO Design Studio is an Architecture and Interiors Office located in the heart of the Southern Highlands, Bowral, NSW. Our focus is on creating unique, beautiful and timeless homes to suit the Australian landscape.
Here at AO Design Studio, we believe in a humanistic approach in all our design work. We are driven by the people we work with, the places we design for and the program for each building. We are constantly reminded of how deeply interwoven we are with the environment around us, blurring the boundaries between inside and outside, enhancing our connection with nature and maintaining a strong appreciation for the beautiful landscapes we touch. We believe in creating a healthy lifestyle and healthy planet in the process of our design work in and around Bowral, Southern Highlands.
It is in the Australian landscapes that we begin gathering our thoughts, the connection to place, the approach that gives us our first impressions and the surroundings that influence our decisions. We explore all the possibilities that each site has to offer; where does the sun rise and set, where do we need protection from the elements, are we looking to frame a view or capture the entire landscape.
All with the idea of creating a building that is settled and harmonises with the surroundings, with spaces that enhance the lives of those that use them. We take a sustainable approach in all our design work, we explore opportunities for passive design through cleverly designed overhangs to control solar access, narrow footprints to allow for natural ventilations and beautiful bright spaces for the occupants. We accurately model all our designs to test the performance of the building and collaborate with our clients and consultants throughout this process to realise the best design outcome for the project.
The design process, for us, is a dynamic journey that unfolds organically, with our buildings emerging as thoughtful responses to both the people they are designed for and the unique characteristics of the surrounding environment in which they are situated.
At the heart of our approach is a commitment to discovering the optimal composition and form, a continuous reflection on how the space will be occupied by different users, to ensure a highly functional building that is beautiful both inside and out. As we navigate through the stages of the design, our ideas evolve and develop, to find the best solution for each individual element as well as the building as a whole. Our ideas become more and more precise through this approach to realise the most complete design possible to us. Collaboration with our clients is a foundation of our methodology, involving them in a constant dialogue that challenges and refines the initial design brief.Through this collaborative approach, we not only confirm the aspects that work but actively seek out new possibilities that may present themselves during the journey.
The process involves a continuous questioning and testing of assumptions, allowing us to modify and adapt as needed. This flexibility and openness to exploration mean that the final design is not a static endpoint but a culmination of a rich and evolving exploration together with our clients. This commitment to a collaborative, adaptive, and exploratory design process ensures that we achieve the best possible outcome, creating spaces that are not only functional but resonate with a depth of purpose and innovation.
A fresh take on the design of over 60’s homes that explores a grouping of contemporary dwellings in a garden setting that offer the space and flexibility for modern living and a sense of community. Each dwelling designed to suit age in place without compromise.
The Ace Residences, located in Bowral, the heart of the Southern Highlands, blends modern comforts with the area's rural charm. This project combines new ideas with classic forms and typologies to offer a unique living experience not previously seen in the area.
A contemporary addition to an existing 1970’s brick homestead on a large parcel of land within Woodlands, NSW. AO created an addition that complemented the existing dwelling but offered the amenities and spaces to suit a modern lifestyle and a growing family.
