Assemble Design

Home
Australia
Geelong, VIC
Assemble Design

Louise Love | Architect | Geelong
Passionate about creating inspired & functional spaces to enhance lives. Follow along our own renovation too!

11/03/2026

One of the most common questions I hear is:
“Is our house actually worth renovating?”

The truth is, not every house has the same renovation potential. Some homes naturally lend themselves to transformation, while others can be much more constrained by structure, orientation, or planning controls.

Before jumping straight into an extension, I usually look at a few key things:
• how the house sits on the site
• whether natural light can be improved
• if the layout can be reconfigured
• and how the home connects to the backyard

Often the biggest improvements come from rethinking the layout rather than simply adding more space.

If you’re unsure whether your home has renovation potential, that’s usually the perfect time to start the conversation with an architect. Our Onsite Design Consultation is a great place to start! Contact us now through our website contact form. Link in bio

10/03/2026

We work best with people who value design and long term liveability.
The clients who get the most out of working with an architect are usually the ones thinking beyond the next 12 months.

They’re thinking about how their home will support daily life for years to come.
They care about things like:
• how spaces connect and flow
• how natural light moves through the home
• whether rooms feel calm, functional and easy to live in
• designing something that will age well rather than follow short term trends

Good design isn’t just about how a home looks when it’s finished.
It’s about how it feels to live in every day.

If you’re someone who values thoughtful design and wants a home that works beautifully for the long term, you’re exactly the kind of client we love working with.

04/03/2026

Slide 1: After

Slide 2: Before

This client came to me with a house plan they had selected from a builder. It was close to what they thought they wanted, but it was pushing their budget.

We sat down together, talked through how they actually live, what mattered most to them, and what could change.

After reviewing the plan, I redesigned it to be 41sqm smaller.

16sqm removed from the garage and 25sqm from the house.

By simplifying the structure and removing unnecessary space, they were able to spend their budget on the things that mattered most.

Because every square metre costs money to build.

If you already have plans but want to know if they could work harder for you, my Plan Review service might be the perfect place to start.

Enquire via the contact page on my website. Link in bio.

02/03/2026

As an architect, I understand why knockdown rebuilds are appealing. They feel simpler, faster, and often more predictable than renovating an existing home.

But I sometimes wonder if we’re losing something important in the process.
Many older homes still have enormous potential. They hold embodied energy, established neighbourhood character, mature landscaping, and spatial qualities that are difficult to recreate from scratch. Yet increasingly, perfectly viable houses are being removed because rebuilding feels like the easier pathway.

The challenge is that knockdowns don’t just change individual homes. Over time, they reshape entire streets and communities.
When every house is replaced with something larger, newer, and often disconnected from its context, we slowly lose the diversity and texture that make neighbourhoods feel grounded and lived in.
I’m not against knockdowns. Sometimes they are absolutely the right decision.

But I do think there’s room for stronger conversations, and possibly stronger guidelines, around when we adapt existing homes versus when we remove them entirely.

Good design isn’t only about creating something new. Sometimes it’s about recognising the value of what already exists and asking how it can evolve instead.

I’m curious where others sit on this.

28/02/2026

The homes starting construction next year are being designed right now.

Good projects take time to explore options, resolve constraints, and document properly before building begins.

If renovating is on your radar within the next 12–24 months, now is usually the ideal time to start planning.

26/02/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions around renovating is that budgets change because of one big, extravagant decision.

In reality, investment shifts tend to happen through a series of smaller, compounding factors during design and construction.

Here are 3 common reasons:
• Builder involvement happens too late
Without early construction input, design decisions can form in isolation from real build costs. Bringing a builder into the process early helps align vision with feasibility from the outset.

• Make good to the existing home is underestimated
High-quality renovations require cohesion between old and new. Flooring transitions, ceiling refinishing, service upgrades and repainting adjoining areas all contribute to overall investment and are often allowed for too lightly.

• Scope evolves beyond the original brief
When your architect advises restraint, it’s usually strategic. Every additional element has a ripple effect across structure, services, finishes and programme.

If you’re planning a renovation this year and want clarity around design scope and realistic investment, we’d love to start the conversation.

Enquiries via website contact form. Link in bio.

23/02/2026

Planning a renovation this year?

Now is the time to get the right team around you.

The most successful projects don’t start with drawings.
They start with clear strategy, aligned budgets, and a well-considered brief.
Whether you’re feeling stuck on layout, unsure what’s possible on your site, or wanting to understand realistic costs before you begin, this is exactly where we come in.
Early planning creates better design, smoother approvals, and far fewer surprises during construction.

If a renovation is on your radar this year, get in touch to start the conversation.
Reach out via the contact form on our Website. Link in bio

21/02/2026

Another Case Study: Unlocking the Potential in an Underused Floorplan

This home had great bones but it wasn’t working for the way our clients wanted to live now.
With 2 grown adult children living at home and regular guest, the home was feeling small and dysfunctional. (3 women all trying to share one bathroom! 🙃)

Scroll through and let me know which layout you like best! 1 (slide 2), 2 (slide 3) or 3 (slide 4)? Each have their own pros and cons!

Client Frustrations (Existing plan on first slide):

– The kitchen, dining, and living spaces felt out of proportion
– There was only one bathroom and toilet
– The front lounge was awkward and difficult to furnish
– The laundry was pokey!

—

Our Design Solution:
– Reconfigured the kitchen, dining, and living zones to bring balance back
– Redirected the hallway to give imporatant space to the ultility part of the home.
– Merged kitchen and dining to open up the living space — now there’s room for proper lounge seating
– Reworked the laundry and bathroom layout to deliver a full-sized laundry, extra storage, and a functional second bathroom
– Added a wall in to create a guest bedroom off the front living room.

The 3 bed, 1 bathroom home became 4 bed, 2 bathrooms under the same roof with no extension!

—

If your home feels like it’s no longer working — but you’re not ready to move — let’s explore what’s possible.

Reach out via the contact form on my website (link in bio).
surfcoastarchitect geelongarchitecture geelongarchitects geelongarchitect

21/12/2025

So grateful for the incredible clients who trusted me with their homes this year 🤍

Thank you for your support, your enthusiasm, and for inviting me into such a personal part of your lives. Every project is a privilege, and I never take that trust for granted.

As we head into the festive season, I hope you’re able to slow down, enjoy time with family and friends, and soak up all the magic that Christmas brings. Wishing you a joyful, restful break and a wonderful start to the year ahead.

Thank you for being part of the journey and for supporting my small business this year. ❤️

06/06/2025

If your home feels frustrating to live in, it might not be the size or the style. It could be the layout.

Here are 3 common signs your floor plan isn’t working:

1. You walk in circles to get anywhere
2. You have rooms no one actually uses
3. You keep adding storage but still feel cluttered

A smart renovation isn’t just about finishes. It’s about rethinking how your home works day to day.

That’s what we do. We design homes that feel effortless to live in because the layout supports your lifestyle.

Want a second opinion on your floor plan?

Book an onsite consultation via the link in bio.

04/06/2025

Reasons why this can be a great bathroom layout.

1. Provides a great opportunity for muliple people to use the space while maintaining their privacy.
2. Its a great option for single bathroom homes or homes with multiple children.
3. A seperate powder room isn’t necessary as the vanity and basin are located directly outside of the toilet.
4. Extent of tiling can be minimised.

In times where construction costs are high, this is a great example of how we can keep a footprint down while maintaining functionality.

Address

Geelong, VIC

Telephone

+61439639165

Website

http://www.assembledesign.com.au/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Assemble Design posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Assemble Design:

Shortcuts

Want your business to be the top-listed Contractor in Geelong?