meticulously designed, expertly crafted

A little about the studio

Di Bartolo Architects are passionate about design, and the crafting of your building from start to finish. What we really enjoy is sharing that process directly with you, the client, and no middle men. Together, we'll work in unison on the design of your most precious project, while deferring to an intimate team of specialist consultants and designers when necessary.

We explore all ideas and options, which are rigorously tested through beautiful illustrations and workshopped through regular meetings. It’s not a fast process, but a carefully considered and satisfying experience. Our goal is to source the best materials and coordinate the very best services, engineering and construction advice to deliver an enlivened, beautiful space that fills you with joy.

We design buildings that best embody the spirit of YOU or YOUR brand

PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS

Registered Architect, ARBV  
Australian Institute of Architects
Association of Consulting Architects

Studio Principal Marco Di Bartolo

  • Studio Principal

    Marco started the practice in 2018 after having spent over 15 years at a number of large practices. He has worked on a collection of Victoria’s most significant and awarded  projects.

    With over twenty five years in the industry,  Marco began his career in the  construction industry with an  apprenticeship in Carpentry which he completed in 1998.  Then from 1998 to 2004 studied at RMIT and graduated with a degree in Architecture. 

    Marco has broad experience on a range  of project types including education,  government, hospitality, health,  commercial and residential buildings.

    He is passionate about  materials and the craft in making buildings.  

how we work

To achieve the best results we rigorously test design ideas through the process of hand sketches, CAD modelling and 3D visualisation. We take the client through each of the stages progressing the project in tandem

Working collaboratively, Di Bartolo Architects takes you through the design stages from concept development and finishes selections through to detail design and working drawings. Presenting a design report at each stage complete with drawings, precedents and concept renders/3D illustrations, enabling you to readily visualise your new build.

We assess your project for planning overlays and authority requirements, and when required, submit a thorough planning report to council. Once Planning and Building permits have been granted we can assist in the contractor selection/tender process. For piece of mind, we offer contract admin through the construction of your build.

project phases

  • This is the foundation and most important aspect of the design process. It is where you, the client, tells me what you need. Gives me the constraints, the site, the location and the budget.

  • Having finalised most parts of the brief we begin by assessing council regulations, Land surveys and the existing context. We conceptually map out spaces, mainly in plan, test whether the briefed areas will work or whether the scope may need to be modified.

  • Once we have the planning right then we can begin to work on the elevations, sections and broader details. Considering materials and finishes.

  • The documentation is now layered with the technical information and details. How will the builder build it, how junctions and joinery comes together and providing the building Surveyor with information for them to assess the building method, construction and compliance to prepare a building permit.

  • The Construction documents along with specifications, legends and schedules and consultants documents are complied and issued to a a number of builders (normally 3).

    They each provide a quote for the construction and we assess the best quote.

  • During the building process, dependent on the contract that is signed between the builder and the client, the architect can act as the administrator of the contract. We can act as your agent for giving instruction, however we act independently as the assessor, valuer or certifier.

  • BIM

    We offer 3D Revit modelling. Coordinated BIM models with integrated consultant information modelling vastly improves resolution before construction. In turn minimising site errors or delays

  • Project Administration.

    To achieve a seamless build, we can assist you throughout the entire construction period. For piece of mind, we offer traditional contract administration services to help you manage builders claims and building progress. We are also there should any design issues arise on site to promptly resolve them and to keep construction moving

  • Sketch Design

    For me, the process of hand sketching is equally as important as the 3D models. It isn’t about producing amazing pieces of art, I am not a great sketch artist by any stretch of the imagination, sketching is about letting the brain process another set of options quickly. There is something about putting pen to paper that gives you a different perspective. I have used hand sketching as a quick way to generate multiple ideas.