Architecture Awards 2023 BUILD 91 Apr23025 s his passion is drawing out his clients’ highest ideal and then using that ideal to frame the design, Dustin Leaney of Innerchi Studios is well-versed in refining, enhancing, and developing until it generates a solution that is unique to that particular client, in that particular place. With more than 30 years of experience in the building industry, including as a registered architect, Dustin is knowledgeable and skilled enough to take on almost any project. Dustin classifies his clients into three main categories, which determines the service that he can provide for them. These are: the ‘idealist’ (mainly residential); the ‘tradie’ (trade and builders); and the ‘project manager’ (who appreciates the bigger picture). Currently, the mid-north coast and northern NSW are in a state of housing crisis. Dustin tells us more about this and how it has affected the industry. “We had the black summer bushfires of 2019-20 which ravaged housing across the state,” he explains. “Then there were the floods of 2020-21 which created further housing shortages in the flood affected areas. Covid brought construction to a standstill before material and labour shortages inflated construction costs Australia-wide, and land values in the regional areas have increased due to mass exodus from the cities and now interest rates are limiting borrowing power.” On top of all of this, there are regulatory issues which are making construction more difficult to achieve, and soon the new building code will add to the cost of building with new livable housing requirements and a seven-star minimum rating. Whilst this is good on the universalliving and sustainability front, it will have an impact in the short-term with housing affordability until the construction industry catches up with regulatory requirements. The region has also felt some sting from the new Class 2 Design & Building Practitioners Act 2020. Designed to improve the safety and quality of apartment buildings, the class 2 designation has encompassed many already approved granny flat additions under an existing residence. The new code means that a class 2 building (that is, any dwelling that is above or below another dwelling), needs to be documented to the same level of detail and coordination as a highrise apartment building. “For a typical $120,000 timber framed infill granny flat under an existing residence, this could add upward of $60,000 in specialist consultant fees, and delays of up to six months for appropriate documentation and coordination, whilst also severely limiting the number of builders who can construct the works,” elaborates Dustin. “The new skill that designers need to master is how to communicate these challenges to their clients and clearly explain the various options available including the time and cost implications of their decisions.” In such a fiercely competitive industry, it is imperative that Dustin works hard to consistently hit the client’s goals, achieving and exceeding their expectations, in order to mark himself out as the best choice. Whether a project is modest or on a grander scale, each project is significant to that client and has been entrusted to Dustin, and he pushes himself to achieve the very best outcome. “Having a tried-and-true process of discerning the client’s goals helps me to hit the mark,” he continues. “Because of this, 90% of my work is through client referrals. I’m still expanding my process to get results onto my website so that I can better demonstrate my process with new clients.” One of the larger projects that Innerchi Studios recently completed was the Chapel of Light based at Tallwoods Golf Course. The owners had asked for a small, beautiful, traditional, wedding chapel for approximately 100 people to be situated on the course. Dustin and Innerchi Studios certainly rose to the challenge, creating a timber and steel portal frame highlighting the internal proportions of the space, and working with a glass artist to create a flowing and curving design to represent tying the knot. “The owners envisaged a spacious and light interior,” explains Dustin. “The Chapel of Light is a direct result of their enthusiasm and perseverance and trust in the process. Now the Chapel of Light sits peacefully in the landscape, awaiting to bless the next couple to come to tie the knot. When you get passionate about the heart of a client’s ideal, it allows you to achieve beyond expectations.” For this incredible work of architecture, Innerchi Studios was recognised in the BUILD Architecture Awards and crowned with the prestigious accolade of Most Innovative Community Architecture Project (Australia) for Tallwoods Chapel of Light. As well as this, the firm was also named Best Multi-Disciplinary Architectural Designer 2023 – NSW, a double celebration to truly showcase all that it can produce under the leadership of Dustin, who says with delight, “I just want to thank the BUILD team for the recognition of these awards, and in particular, thank my clients for trusting me with their ideals and working with me to achieve such great outcomes.” Contact: Dustin Leaney Company: Innerchi Studios Web Address: www.innerchi.net.au A Being a sole practitioner working in regional New South Wales, architect, Dustin Leaney of Innerchi Studios focuses his energy on being a multidisciplinary practice with a diverse portfolio of projects including residential, commercial, industrial, and hospitality. We find out more as he achieves not one, but two prestigious awards. Best Multi-Disciplinary Architectural Designer 2023 – NSW & Most Innovative Community Architecture Project (Australia) - Tallwoods Chapel of Light
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