Prime Design Tasmania

07/06/2026

There's something quite rewarding about giving an existing home a facelift. Our talented senior building designer Drew worked on the design to create new spaces that would compliment and flow smoothly with the existing weatherboard home.

What a transformation! What home renovations are you looking to do this year?

04/06/2026

Here is some laundry inspiration for your next new home or renovation. The laundry can sometimes be a forgotten space during the design process so here our our top tips for designing a new laundry:

-Proper ventilation (window or exhaust fan) to prevent mould
-Floor waste (especially in Australian homes) for safety
-Durable, water-resistant materials

Need assistance? we can help you get started with your design 😀

01/06/2026

A contingency in building can be described as a financial buffer included in your budget to deal with the unknown.

No matter how well a project is planned, there are always variables you can’t fully predict, such as:
-Unforeseen site conditions (e.g. poor soil, rock excavation)
-Material price increases
-Design changes during construction
-Weather delays
-Hidden structural issues (especially in renovations)

But how much should you allocate for your contingency? we share our recommendations below 👇
https://primedesigntas.com.au/how-much-contingency-should-you-budget-when-building-or-renovating/

How much contingency should you budget when building or renovating? A discussion of what experts recommend here in Tasmania and Australia.

27/05/2026

What do you think about Australian homes be designed specifically for their local climate instead of relying on standard ‘one size fits all’ designs?

The Tasmanian climate is very different to Queensland or Western Australia, do you think that homes should be more specifically designed to local climates? Comment below with your thoughts.

23/05/2026

Before you choose plants for your yard… start here 👇

The best landscaping projects always begin with a plan:

-Understand your site (soil, slope, climate)
-Map out how you’ll use the space
-Consider sun and shade patterns
-Plan irrigation and drainage early

Jumping straight to plant selection is where most people go wrong. A well-designed yard is intentional, not random.

🎧 We dive deeper into this in our landscaping episode on the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast. We welcomed special guest and landscaper Andrew Nicholson, listen to his best tips in more detail here 👇

https://open.spotify.com/episode/43wShCUKqRzxYE03ITVdw5?si=VKi5PZVuST22MjDRxidupA

20/05/2026

A big thanks to Heath for the footage on this beautiful home just outside of Launceston!

This home was created to include a large, open-plan family home that would comfortably accommodate
the clients, their growing family, and visiting relatives on their scenic rural property. The design brief emphasised clean lines, bold architectural statements, and an abundance of natural light to create an inviting and contemporary living space.

The main residence was envisioned as a spacious, modern sanctuary with expansive living areas, integrating
indoor and outdoor spaces to capitalise on the surrounding natural beauty. The design incorporated floor-to-ceiling
windows, high ceilings, and strategically placed skylights to ensure every room was bathed in natural light, fostering a warm and welcoming atmosphere, we also love the generous kitchen island bench, which is over 5 metres in length.

what's you're favourite aspect of this home that you would like to take and incorporate into your home?

17/05/2026

Question 🛑

Should Tasmania prioritise building more homes to solve the housing shortage, even if it means developing in green spaces and bushland?

14/05/2026

Introducing our amazing business support team who keep the wheels turning and have a huge role in supporting so many areas of the business. We thought today we'd give them a shout out because they do such an amazing job taking care of enquiries, invoicing, council permits, scheduling appointments, team training, marketing, and so much more!

Thank you Kayla, Zoe, Georgia, Amelia and Courtney for everything you do to keep the business running smoothly! 😍

11/05/2026

What's the difference between deemed to satisfy and a performance solution in the construction industry? 🤔

Deemed to satisfy (DTS) means following a clear step by step recipe from the building code rules. If you design exactly like the recipe says, the building surveyor will accept it quickly. Think of it like fitting an Ikea kitchen using the instructions and parts that match, it's fast and installers know what to expect.

Performance solution means you do things a different way but prove it still works. You show tests, drawings and expert notes to prove your idea is just as safe and comfortable as the Ikea flatpack option. Imagine engaging a cabinet maker for custom joinery, it can be perfect for your space, but needs detailed plans, measurements and evidence to show it works. There is a specific process in the construction code to follow.

How they affect building approval 👇
If you use the recipe (DTS) planning and approvals are faster and easier because officials know what to expect. If you use the different way (performance solution) you need to bring extra proof and speak to planners earlier so they can be convinced your idea is safe and still fits the rules.

Have you heard of these terms before? let us know what building design terms confuse you so we can clarify them for you.

08/05/2026

Your block of land might look perfect… but what’s happening underneath it?

Before designing a home, professionals need to understand what’s happening on your site.

Is the soil reactive?
Is the land in a bushfire zone?
Where does stormwater go?
What are the exact site levels?

These are the kinds of questions answered through technical reports. Each site is unique and because of this some properties may require a lot of reports, whereas, others may only require a few. These should be factored into the design budget early on and can vary in price depending on the types of reports that are required and complexity.

In an episode of the Building Design, Prime Time Podcast Frank and Amelia discuss the types of reports that may be required to develop your property. Check out the full episode to learn how it can affect what and how you develop your site 👇

https://open.spotify.com/episode/59Z0gtegr7C97UcPfpzlZq?si=uy5CnaWyR5a6rxeGbwf6LA