All Things Home Design with Ben Wardle of Wardle Design
Based in Preston, Wardle Design offers professional residential design services across Melbourne. Their highly experienced team delivers quality affordable solutions and works collaboratively with the client and councils to ensure an end outcome of a high standard design that meets both requirements and regulations.
We caught up with Director Ben Wardle, who comes with over 14 years of experience in the industry, to discuss the ins and outs of home design.
What do you believe is the most challenging part of designing a home?
Generally budget. It’s great to have inspiration from online or magazines to gauge what people are after however, it always seems to come back to cost. Unfortunately building is expensive and can be a limiting factor, so try and have a realistic budget in mind and avoid wanting additional size to just ‘keep up with the Joneses”. Less is generally more – quality over quantity.
What’s your favourite part of the design process?
Creating, sitting back and hand sketching brings me back to why I decided to get into designing, to have a career that allows you to draw to communicate is quite rewarding.
What design aspect adds the most value to a home?
Can be lots of things but the two most important I believe are kerb appeal and a good floor plan can be underrated in terms of functionality and feeling of light and space.
What are some council regulations most people don’t know they need to consider?
I think there is a misconception that councils want designs to copy what is already in the street, but generally, councils want something that is contemporary and well thought out that picks up on cues from the street to tie in the neighbourhood character without trying to mimic the existing streetscape. The hard thing with planning (councils) is they’re trying to appeal to the masses and individuals taste and style can be compromised.
What common design mistakes do you often see? How can employing a professional designer save money and/or heartache?
Too many materials being used – some buildings just look like a samples board. Simple is often better. To avoid heartache? Employ a designer that understands all the constraints with councils and material selection for a desirable result.
Which is your favourite architectural style?
I like a modern Australian bush architecture and contemporary urban architecture.
What elements of the design process are always better left to a professional, and why?
It’s great when people get involved but there comes a point when you need to let the professionals do their job and also take the advice. Design in term of floor plan layouts are one and then also design detail as it’s nice to have images, but unfortunately not every job is the same and has it own unique size, shape and orientation that can direct a design.
What simple renovations can a homeowner do to add value to their property?
I think updating the exterior/ façade can go a long way, there are some ugly ducklings out there that, with the correct design advice, can be retrofitted to become more sought after to realise their true resale potential. However, the word “simple” is never really the case with renovations as you can discover more issues as you go along!
What do you love most about the North?
The people. Growing up in Bendigo didn’t have a whole lot of diversity. The North is a smorgasbord of cultures which creates lots of different interests, styles, food etc and therefore translates into communities.
Feel free to reach out to Ben to discuss your project – from building design to working drawings and town planning documentation.