JDA Lammin Architects

JDA Lammin Architects JDA Lammin Architects is a specialised Bayside architectural design studio that works hand in hand w

When we designed this kitchen for the Black Rock homeowners, we not only thought about how the space was going to be use...
12/06/2026

When we designed this kitchen for the Black Rock homeowners, we not only thought about how the space was going to be used as the focal point of the first floor family area, but how the materials would work with the layout to enhance the home.
At JDA Lammin Architects we consider function and aesthetics to be integral elements of a modern home and strive to get the balance exactly right.
Planning ahead and selecting all the finishes and fixtures before the builder starts work is the key to a well conceived design. Leaving it to the last minute when you are at the cabinet makers is not!
Want to know more about how to start your Melbourne renovation? Get in touch to have a conversation [link in bio].




Most people only see the finished home.What they don’t see is the investigation that happens before a property is even p...
01/06/2026

Most people only see the finished home.
What they don’t see is the investigation that happens before a property is even
purchased.
Recently, we completed a pre-purchase feasibility review for a client considering
a purchasing a site in Brighton to build a new home.
Before auction day, we assessed planning controls, title restrictions, vehicle access, existing trees, orientation, building envelopes and whether the client’s wish-list could realistically be accommodated on the site.
The result wasn’t just a concept design - it was clarity.
Understanding what’s possible before you buy can help avoid costly surprises
and give you confidence when making one of the biggest financial decisions
you’ll ever make.
If you’re considering purchasing a property to renovate or build your dream
home, we’d be happy to help assess its potential before you commit.

📩 Send us a message to discuss your project.

Entries…How you enter a home can change the way you feel. This is one of my favourite entries to our Brighton project. B...
25/05/2026

Entries…
How you enter a home can change the way you feel. This is one of my favourite entries to our Brighton project.
Behind a high rendered concrete fence and a black timber battened gate lies a tranquil courtyard paved with limestone and framed by greenery. The trickling of water into the feature pool calms you on your approach and reminds you to leave the outside world behind.
Steel framed glass entry doors with marble half moon handles mark the transition to inside as you come inside the home, ready to relax and return home.
Landscape by
Built by
Architecture




14/05/2026

Over my 30+ years of architecture, I’ve seen where projects can sometimes go wrong.
And it’s rarely because of bad design.
More often, it comes down to:
👉 Decisions made too early (or too late)
👉 Unclear expectations
👉 Budget not properly aligned
👉 Trying to navigate a complex process alone.

A well-designed home is important, but what really makes a project successful is the thinking, planning, and guidance behind it.
That’s where experience makes all the difference.
If you’d like to talk to an experienced architect about your home project I’d love to chat about how we could work together. [link in bio]




11/05/2026

✍️ Most people see the finished drawings.
Very few see the hours of work behind the scenes just to navigate approvals.

Last week I spent many hours preparing shadow diagrams for a small residential extension to assess compliance with overshadowing regulations.

This involves modelling the surrounding buildings and the terrain as well as the proposal, to accurately reflect shadows at different times of day.

Even for a modest two-storey addition, a small increase in shadowing at a particular time of day at the spring Equinox can trigger:
✅ Additional Council assessment
✅ Neighbour consultation
✅Further technical reviews or design changes

This is on top of extra approvals needed for a simple timber deck from Council and Melbourne Water due to flood overlay controls.

This is the hidden side of residential architecture and building.

Behind every project is a huge amount of coordination, compliance checking, problem solving and persistence to help homeowners move forward with their plans.
While planning controls are important, the growing complexity of the system is
making even small projects increasingly time-consuming - and costly - for homeowners, consultants and builders alike.

Part of our role as architects is helping clients navigate that complexity and find
practical, thoughtful solutions along the way. But it’s often this invisible work that takes the most time.


In the current economic climate, it’s completely understandable to feel hesitant about building or renovating.Costs feel...
06/05/2026

In the current economic climate, it’s completely understandable to feel hesitant about building or renovating.

Costs feel unpredictable.
Decisions feel higher risk.
And getting it wrong can be expensive.

That’s exactly why our clients come to us before they commit.

Not just for a design but for clarity, direction, and confidence.
Because when you understand what’s possible on your site, how to use your budget wisely, and what decisions actually matter…

The whole process becomes far less overwhelming.
And a lot more achievable.
If you’re thinking about renovating or building but not sure where to start, that’s the first step we help you with.

📩 Reach out if you’d like to talk through your ideas.




“We just need plans.”It’s something I hear often and it makes sense if you don’t know what goes into designing a new hom...
29/04/2026

“We just need plans.”
It’s something I hear often and it makes sense if you don’t know what goes into designing a new home or major remodel.
But plans are just the end result of a much bigger process. What’s often underestimated is everything that needs to be considered alongside the layout:

👉 How much it will cost (and whether it aligns with your budget)
👉 What council will and won’t support
👉 Whether the design is practical to build
👉 The sequence of decisions required
👉 The mental load of navigating it all

Without working through these first, plans can quickly become expensive assumptions.
With the right guidance, they become a confident step forward.




21/04/2026

Many of the homeowners I speak to don’t know how to move forward… not because they lack ideas.

They know what they’d like in their home:
⭐️ More space.
⭐️ Better light.
⭐️ A layout that actually works for their family.

But they still feel stuck.
Not because they don’t care…but because they don’t know where to start.

There are too many decisions.
Too many unknowns.
And too much risk of getting it wrong.

So nothing happens.

What I’ve learned over the years is this:
👉 it’s rarely a design problem.
👉 It’s usually a lack of clarity problem.

Once you understand what’s possible, what it might cost, and what the process looks like…everything starts to move forward.
If you’re feeling stuck, you’re not alone - and you don’t need to figure it all out on your own either.

✅ Start by gaining clarity before design.




When it comes to renovating a period home, there’s no “right” approach.Some homeowners love a clear contrast where new m...
15/04/2026

When it comes to renovating a period home, there’s no “right” approach.
Some homeowners love a clear contrast where new meets old in a bold, contemporary way.
Others prefer a more seamless outcome, where the new work gently blends in and enhances the home’s original character.
The right direction comes down to your personal style and how you want your home to feel.
For this beautiful Bentleigh project, the owners chose a more sympathetic approach, creating a contemporary, open-plan layout while carefully retaining the period charm that makes the home so special.
It’s a balance I always enjoy helping clients navigate.
Because no matter the approach, there’s something incredibly rewarding about bringing older homes back to life and shaping them for the way we live today.

If you’re thinking about how your own home could evolve, I’m always happy to have a conversation.




Address

Bentleigh, VIC
3204

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5:30pm
Tuesday 9am - 5:30pm
Wednesday 9am - 5:30pm
Thursday 9am - 5:30pm
Friday 9am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+61439991887

Website

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