Ballast Point Architects + Builders

04/06/2026

We're excited to share that Ballast Point Architects + Builders has been named a finalist in the Proptech Awards 2026 in the Open Awards: Planning & Design category!

What makes our 3D consultation different? We don't just render a design. We start by scanning your existing home and building the model from reality. That means when you see your future renovation in 3D, you're seeing your actual space, not an approximation.

It's one of the things we're most proud of, and it's wonderful to see it recognised at a national level.

Thank you to our clients and team for making this possible. We'll share more details about the awards night soon.

ballastpoint.com.au

01/06/2026

This means a lot to the whole team. Thank you to our clients who trust us with their home.

29/05/2026

Buildipedia began as a Ballast Point podcast created to help Australians better understand the journey of buying, designing, building and improving property.

Now, Buildipedia is evolving into a marketplace for property professionals.

In this episode, James Yang interviews our Director, Mat Wilk, about what’s next for Buildipedia, and how it could make professional property services easier to find, book and trust.

Worth a listen.

26/05/2026

Your property might be worth more than you think, and the new planning laws could be why.

Upzonings, Transport-Oriented Development, subdivision potential. A lot has changed in Sydney's planning environment and most property owners in the Inner West and Eastern Suburbs haven't had a chance to look at what it means for their specific site.

We've partnered with Sky Planning to offer expert feasibility and planning advice, so you get the full picture, from what's possible to what it would actually cost to build.

Not sure if it applies to you? Reach out at ballastpoint.com.au

22/05/2026

Zoning tells you what's allowed. It doesn't tell you what's viable. Here's six site constraints that don't show up in any listing and how to spot them before they cost you.

Planning in 2026 is more complex than ever. From TOD corridors to LMR up-zoning, here’s why development sites that look good on paper often don’t stack up — and how to assess them before you spend more.

20/05/2026

Nothing really beats seeing marble in person.

We visited WK Stone and Skheme's Stone Pavilion to walk the slabs ourselves. The scale, the veining, the variation between slabs - you just can't get that from a sample or a screen.

This is how we choose materials for our clients. The legwork happens long before anything gets installed.

18/05/2026

The best renovations are the ones where the hard work disappears into the result.

This Inner West family needed their home to work differently -- kitchen, living, and outdoor spaces connected, natural light throughout, sightlines that let a parent actually see their kids while cooking. That was the brief.

Getting there meant replacing tile and carpet with engineered timber throughout, automating lighting and blinds across large glazed areas, and raising the entire wet area floor to achieve a flush finish without touching the slab. Demolition revealed conditions that reshaped parts of the design along the way.

None of that shows in the finished result. Which is exactly how it should be.

Thinking about something similar? Visit ballastpoint.com.au

13/05/2026

Have you ever looked at a property and thought "this could be subdivided"?

You might be right. But you might also be wrong, and finding out after you've signed the contract is an expensive way to learn.

Planning controls are more nuanced than they look. They interact in ways that aren't obvious, and a council planner can read the same rules very differently depending on experience.

This short video explains why it matters to check before you buy. We've also written a full article on it: https://ballastpoint.com.au/blog/dont-buy-the-potential-buy-the-facts

If you're looking at a property with development potential, our Pre-Purchase Feasibility report might be exactly what you need before you commit.

11/05/2026

FRP grating was the last thing we expected to get excited about at Sydney Build Expo. But here we are.

This material has spent decades as industrial flooring and drainage covers. Newer manufacturing has changed what it can do. Richer colours, translucent finishes that light up beautifully, refined textures. Less safety yellow, more architectural feature.

If you're working on a project that needs a screen, feature wall, balustrade or lighting element and want something durable, low maintenance, and a bit unexpected, FRP is worth a conversation. It handles weather, it doesn't corrode, and it's a fraction of the cost of custom metalwork or timber that needs ongoing upkeep.

We're always keeping an eye on materials that give our clients better options. This one surprised us.

06/05/2026

You can't always build what you think you can. Here's what catches people out.

Zoning checked. Height limit noted. Floor space ratio done. Most buyers stop there. But those numbers don't work in isolation. They interact. And the real answer to what you can build lives somewhere in the middle of all of them.

Development approval isn't a yes or no either. It's about how hard you want to push for it and what that costs you in time, money, and risk.

We've written about what to look for before you commit.

Development potential is only valuable if it's actually there. Before you buy, here's what the planning controls aren't telling you.