Zin Design

12/04/2026

When a client trust your vision, you get to see aesthetically pleasing result.

08/11/2025

Architect- Zin Design
Builder- Lennexbuild

06/04/2023

In our view, the biggest problem is there is no third party contract administrators in between the builder and the client, which is how most project home builder run their business. This require a very high trust factor for a regular person who is not working in the industry because whatever the builder says, you have no way to know if it’s true or if he is just wanting more money. I think a good builder will and should show their client with proof where the increases are happening and show a comparison to justify. And vice versa, if a builder is able to provide such proof, client should be reasonable and understanding and either provide additional funds or reduce the scope of work to fit their budget. The above scenario will only work if both parties trust each other. Unfortunately these days, very hard…especially with all the bad vibe around the industry lately.

25 years ago, registered architects are fairly commonly engaged as a contract administrator for any construction work, even in some renovations. Their role is act as a third part expert in the construction industry to oversea and make sure funds are directed and claimed fairly and correctly in the project. Any variation claim checked and verified. That’s why back then you always hear the phrase ‘builders don’t like architects’.
Unfortunately there is a lack of ‘advertising’ of the positive side of engaging an architect for such role in the industry today for small to medium residential construction. These days you will only see Architects being engaged as contract administration in larger or more complex development during construction.
Maybe its time to reintroduce this to residential so that thousands of people don’t loose their life savings and shattered dream because of one poorly managed building company.

To know more about the role of an Architect, visit Australian Institute of Architects for more details.

08/11/2022

Beauty of Simplicity. No fancy decorative elements. Nothing more, nothing less. Thats how we keep construction cost under control and still delivers timeless beauty.

23/09/2022

Its great to see your wrk getting build and was able to provide the client with a great financial return. Completed and Sold within weeks.

08/02/2022

We are proud to work with great clients and builders. Cant wait to see the start of construction this year, turning design into reality.

01/01/2022

Happy New Year. Wish everyone a happy, blessed and prosperous year ahead.

08/11/2021

Very Sad. A stark reminder of how important it is to know who you are engaging and as a safety net, get an experience Architect, quantity survey or another builder, or do a research on the builder's licence, check exactly what they have build in the past before signing the contract. When the price is too good to be true, then the warning sign should be flashing.

Unfortunately we have seen too many cases and it usually happens to first time developer/ new home owners and hard working people who simply wanted to save some money.

There are a lot people in Australia holding a builder licence. However many only have experiences in minor home renovations. Of course, these builders would also like to have the chance to prove their capability of building a house, but who is to give them a chance and taking this risk?

We also believe the building industry needs to be more regulated, especially in residential construction to avoid situation like this.

Lastly. How many of us out there who is looking to build and we hear someone we know says,

'I know a builder, he can do it cheaper?'

You will be surprise how often we hear this phrase from our clients. Almost make building/ renovating a house sounds like groceries shopping.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-08/concerns-over-standard-of-building-in-tasmania/100599146?utm_medium=social&utm_content=sf251052454&utm_campaign=fb_abc_news&utm_source=m.facebook.com&sf251052454=1&fbclid=IwAR1MYsxQBG2IuD-wXOpNT8Awl8_WkREADR4Yr4XzyrXsSNAOBY5N0kNkVVU

A couple's dream to build a home for their blended family on a waterfront block has been shattered, with experts advising the only way to fix the building's defects is to demolish it and rebuild.

23/04/2021

SLOPING SITE. LOVE IT OR AVOID IT ?

Are you a sloped site lover or avoider?

Most people will tell you it will cost more to build on a slopping site. This is true if you are comparing both of them with exactly the same materials, finishes, and design. What if they are not the same house?
A double brick house with concrete floor slab and tile roof might cost the same as a house build with steel frame, timber cladding and floor plus insulation on a slope. One has no spectacular view and one has a great uninterrupted view. If you have the luxury of choosing either, which is your pick?

Above are just some food for thoughts for those looking to build or buy a property/ land.

Below are some net images showing great architectural approaches and outcomes.
No site too difficult if you know how to approach it the right way.

14/03/2021

LATEST UPDATE CITY OF RYDE LEP 2014

Attached Dual Occupancy - 15m Frontage and 580sqm
Multi dwelling Housing- No longer allowed in R2 Zone

Note: For more specific changes and requirements, please check with City of Ryde or you can contact us to discuss how this will affect your investment and which path to take to ensure the maximum return for your investment.

19/11/2020

DO YOU NEED TO PUT IN A DEVELOPMENT APPLICATION FOR YOUR MINOR RENOVATION AND EXTENSION?

This year, we have some customers who contacted us for help. They carried out illegal construction works on their property and they have been reported to their Local Council. In the past, we might encounter 1-2 cases every 3-5 years, But recently, nearly 1-2 cases per year. This is what motivated me to write this article to hopefully able to direct people to the right process when they want to do a renovation and expansion on their property so that they won't end up in this situation.

WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES IF I JUST IGNORE IT?

For the cases we have experienced, Council has given them 28 days to ‘act’ on the issue. This means that you have 28 days for you to either dismantle all new jobs and restore them to the original state, or you can apply for a ‘Building Certificate’ through Council. If you do not take any action within 28 days, they may impose a fine of 250,000 to 5 million.
Building Certificate is like a ‘backtracked Development Application’, but the biggest challenge we have found with the cases that we have encountered is making all the work already done compliance. In the majority of the cases, there seems to always be part of the work that is non-complying and require additional work to rectify it. In some cases, the cost is actually quite high.

WHAT KIND OF WORK CAN I DO WITHOUT ANY BUILDING APPLICATION?

You can go to: NSW State Environmental Planning Policy (Exempt and Complying Development Codes) 2008- https://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au/view/html/inforce/current/epi-2008-0572?fbclid=IwAR3C9eitPwqyN3b7sfSqxJcblTOYdsjTyMH4S7tmkkxyZgsTE6P0zM57NSc
PART 2- Exempt Development Codes. This is the renovation and expansion that you can perform without any application. However, all jobs have specific requirements, so make sure that everything you do meets the requirements set in the SEPP. If the work you want to do is not listed under PART 2, you must apply for it either through a Private Certifier or through Council.
If you are a Builder/ Tradesman/ Handyman, you must understand the relevant regulations when providing the works. If you are not sure, you need to check the State government website and Council prior to engaging the work. There are honest and great builders, tradesmen and handyman out there who are doing the right thing, but unfortunately, there are minorities that are not being very careful or clear with their advice to property owners, hence causing a lot of issues down the track, especially for the property owner.
Hope this article can provide you with a very brief introduction to the path/ research you need to take prior to taking on a renovation or extension. If still not too sure, you can always talk to an Architect or Building Designer and seek their advice.

Take Care and Build Safe.

Disclaimer: Above article is sharing of personal experiences in the industry at the time it is written in NSW ONLY. It may/ may not reflect the exact situation you are in. For casual reading only.