cristina gomes architecture and design

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We are a design driven practice based in Sydney, Australia. Our company has provided a personalised design service to our clients since 2009.

09/10/2026

IC HOUSE | FROM THIS → THAT

From a contruction site where only structural elements were in place to a finished home there is a whole lot of architectural knowledge in between.

In this image, you are seeing the view of someone who has just come up the stairs and is walking towards the main living room, located at the upper level of the home.

To the right, the double-height space shows partially what is happening on the level below, while the corridor on the left leads to 3 of the main bedrooms.

The glass balustrade and the double height relationship create a sense of openness and generosity in a space which is otherwise shaped by a thin and long shaped site.

The intention was to create an interesting sequence of circulation through the house as a “passegiatta”, inviting people to enjoy the spaces around the house as they move from one room to another.

This particular view is special as it invites you towards the entrance of the main living room oppening up to an incredible view of the Sydney Harbour. The kind of outlook that makes the location on the top of the hill in Dover Heights so special.

25/09/2026

AZ HOUSE | COME INSIDE

Our clients, a family of four, wanted to replace their modest single-story home with a contemporary house more suited to their family needs.

The original house with its internal spaces mostly facing southeast, did not fully capitalise on the breathtaking harbour views and outdoor potential.

The idea was to design an elegant residence that integrated nicely with the existing sloping site, the surrounding landscape and the neighbourhood.

Given that the main view is oriented towards the front of the property, it was crucial to create an elevated position for the outdoor areas on both levels and use the level difference to enjoy the stunning water views while ensuring privacy for the front yard.

Unlike typical designs where the outdoor living spaces are oriented towards the back of the property, this project required a unique approach with main living areas located at the front, to enjoy the beautiful water views.

To respond to the siteʼs conditions – including its slope, views and sun orientation – we came up with a beautiful front facade with a curved balcony that directs the views towards the iconic Harbour Bridge.

At the centre of the house, the kitchen opens up to a glazed courtyard, bringing plenty of northern sun into the heart of the house and connecting the main living spaces to the outdoor.

The floor plan and internal spaces were carefully designed to create practical solutions for the everyday life, while also catering for enjoyable spaces filled with brightness and greenery. The material pallet is soft and elegant creating a house that brings a sense of calm and comfort.

Swipe through to take a little tour of AZ House in Vaucluse, Sydney.

Architecture and Interior Design : Cristina Gomes Architect
Photographer: tfadtomferguson

23/09/2026

Architect or builder: who should you contact first?

It’s a question I hear quite often from people thinking about renovating or building a new home.

And the answer is simple: you should contact both, but there is a sequence.

Architects and builders have different roles, and their level of involvement naturally changes as a project moves from DESIGN → BUILT.

At the beginning, the architect is generally more involved in establishing what the project should become — understanding the site, exploring the possibilities, developing the floor plan and defining the overall design direction.

A good builder can also be extremely valuable early in the process, particularly when it comes to indicative costs, buildability, site access and practical construction considerations.

As the project moves into construction, the balance shifts. The builder increasingly takes responsibility for coordinating trades, sequencing the work and managing the day-to-day decisions on site, while the architect remains involved to clarify the design, resolve issues and protect the design intent.

In my experience, the best projects happen when the architect and builder work well together.

Good documentation makes a builder’s job easier. Good builders bring practical knowledge, craftsmanship and construction expertise that can make a design better.

Much of the value of good design documentation is actually expressed through the problems that never happen on site.

Great design needs great ex*****on.

I’ve written a full article about how the roles of architect and builder evolve throughout a residential project, and why involving the right people at the right time can make such a difference. You can read it on our website or via link in bio.

03/09/2026

It is Saturday morning and we are out and about, visiting a house I designed a few years ago in Vaucluse.

The project is a semi-detached house with an original configuration that was quite enclosed, lacking natural light and a strong connection to the outdoors.

The living room was originally in the middle of the house, with small windows, while the wall facing the backyard was taken up by the kitchen and laundry. That is not an uncommon configuration for older houses in Sydney.

We completely reconfigured the layout.

The living space was moved to the rear opening up to the north-facing backyard and the side of the house. The kitchen was completely redesigned around how the family would actually use it, with a walk-in pantry and a new laundry with direct access to the outdoors.

If you have a semi similar to this one and would like to know if a reconfiguration is possible for your space, get in contact with us.

You might be surprised by the hidden opportunities your current home has!

18/08/2026

FROM THIS → TO THAT | DH Apartment - Reworking the layout

From the original apartment, much in need of an upgrade, to the completed project there is s great deal of knowledge in between.

This apartment had only around 60 sqm and a striking view of the Opera House. It still had an enclosed kitchen while the living and dining areas were trying to share the remaining space.

While reworking the floor plan, we decided that the new opennend kitchen was a very generous space that could incorporate the dining area. By doing this, we freed the entire front of the apartment for a fantastic living room.

On the right wall, bespoke joinery incorporates the TV, entertainment and much-needed additional storage.

In smaller spaces like this, a clever layout is everything.
This small move has completely changed the feel of the living room which was also opened to the view with the addition of a balcony.

There are a lot more clever ideas in this project and we will share them in more detail in future posts.

P.S: for the younger generation, the silver box in the first image is actually a TV [yes, I am that old].

13/08/2026

It’s kinda chic to...

Choose comfort over trends
Walk barefoot at home
Have family photos on the walls
Know your neighbors’ names
Have a bath with a view

And design a home that feels like yours

What does chic mean to you?

10/08/2026

Why do some rooms feel bigger than they really are?
It isn’t always about adding more square metres.

The way we perceive space can be influenced by surprisingly small architectural decisions : where a wall ends, where a window is positioned, how far our eyes can travel, and how clearly a room’s boundaries are defined.

In this reel, I use a simple sketch to explain one of the principles behind this: how our brains perceive shapes and boundaries and why removing a corner with glazing can make a room feel more open and generous.

The room hasn’t changed. Your perception has.

I explore this idea further in my new article, One of Architecture’s Favourite Optical Illusions: Why Architects Love Corner Windows, including how we used a similar principle with a mirror in one of our projects.

Read the full article via the link in the comments.
And let me know what you think!!

31/07/2026

A rewarding moment in a project is certainly presenting the concept design.

After weeks of sketching, testing ideas and refining the layout, the vision starts to become more real.

We’re delighted to be working on a beautiful semi-detached home in Woollahra and are pleased to share this first glimpse of the design.

This is where every project begins: new ideas, collaboration and the excitement of together imagining what the home could become.

27/06/2026

Have you ever entered a home and immediately felt a sense of calm?

Perhaps it was a holiday house where you spent some time relaxing, or maybe it was your own home welcoming you after a busy day.

Some homes seem to have the ability to instantly make us feel more relaxed, comfortable and at ease.

Yet not all homes achieve this.

So what are the qualities that make a home feel calming? And how can architecture and design contribute to our everyday wellbeing?

Link to the full article in the comments 🔗

26/05/2026

FROM THIS → TO THAT
IC House Stairs
Designed to bring light to all levels of the home

From setting up the stairs location to the finished product there is a great deal of knowledge in between.

The new steel staircase was designed to connect the three levels of the house from one central location.

The U shape configuration creates a generous landing that breaks the effort of going up into two shorter sequences, making this staircase far more comfortable to use day to day.

Open treads allow light from the skylight above and upper windows to filter through all levels of the home, transforming the staircase into a vertical tunnel of light.

One detail most people miss:

Because the walls surrounding it are concrete, the step lights had to be precisely located even before the stairs was installed.

This is when precise drawings and documentation will assist the builder and become essential for a successful result.

Stairs build by : Ozstairs
Design and Detail : Cristina Gomes

Address

Suite 2201, Level 22/Westfield Tower 2 101 Grafton Street
Sydney, NSW
2022

Telephone

+61280956253

Website

http://www.cristinagomes.com/

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