The journal
What we have learned building in the dark.
Building science, materials and cost — written from projects we have actually delivered, not from a keyword list.
Materials
Black cladding in Australia — what actually lasts
Charred timber, dark-stained hardwood, blackened steel, fibre cement and dark-coated aluminium — how each behaves in Australian conditions, what fades, and what to specify instead.
26 July 2026
Building science
Do dark houses get hot? What actually drives the temperature
Dark cladding absorbs more solar radiation — but wall colour is one of the smallest factors in how warm a house gets. Here's what actually decides it, and how a dark home is built to stay cool.
26 July 2026
Cost
What a cost per square metre actually hides
Why per-square-metre rates mislead on architectural work, what sits inside a real project budget beyond construction, and how to get a number you can rely on before you commit to a design.
26 July 2026
The next step
Start here.
One short conversation about your site, your budget and what you want to build. No fee, no obligation, and a straight answer on whether we are the right practice for it.