08/05/2025
was established full time in Newcastle in July 1996. It’s directors are Rachael Bourne and Shane Blue, who graduated from Sydney University in 1991 and 1990 respectively, worked in Sydney, Canberra and London before deciding to settle and set up practice in Newcastle. Since 1996, 257 projects have been built, ranging from residential alterations and additions, new houses, child care centres, and various school and university buildings. Bourne Blue employs two registered architects, Claire Lavis and Sarah Manners, both of whom have been working in the practice for over 15 years.
The practice is design based, and small, so that all projects have substantial director involvement, and a project architect who takes the project from beginning to end. The Practice has completed work from Canberra to Port Macquarie, including Gerroa, Sydney, Newcastle, Nelson Bay, Hunter Valley and Pacific Palms. Our work has been published locally, nationally and internationally. The office is 100% solar powered with a rooftop 12kW photovoltaic array. Excess power is generated daily and is fed into our electric car and excess is sold back to the grid. 6000L of water storage tanks collect rainwater for toilet flushing and garden use, thus assisting the practice to minimise it’s impact upon the environment.
