A Building Designer’s Notes from Francis Design

Welcome to our blog at Francis Design, where we share ideas about designing homes that feel personal and connected. As Building Designers, we’re drawn to luxury residential design—crafting houses that tie into nature, sorting out dual occupancy designs, shaping secondary dwellings, or refreshing homes through renovations. This blog is our way of digging into those topics, plus things like council approvals, CDC regulations, sustainability, and the nuts and bolts of building design, one thought at a time.

We enjoy chatting about homes that work with their surroundings—not just waterfront homes with their wide-open views, but places where nature feels close. A Building Designer might weave in a landscape-central courtyard or a pool, shaping spaces that look inward as well as out, tailored to the site’s quirks—maybe a slope or a standout tree. We also think about sustainability, using materials and layouts that save energy and sit lightly on the land, all while meeting council or CDC regulations. It’s about getting the design right, from sketch to approval.

There’s plenty more to explore, like dual occupancy—fitting two homes on one lot with style and space, while navigating zoning rules. Or secondary dwellings, those neat little additions that feel complete, whether for family or guests. With renovations, we share ways to update a home, blending its character with modern touches, sustainable choices, and site-specific details. A Building Designer has to juggle aesthetics, practicality, and the red tape—council permits or CDC pathways—to make it all happen.

At Francis Design, we’re a team of Building Designers who like keeping things straightforward: we design to what’s there, whether it’s a tricky block or a tight regulation. Our blog covers those ideas—nothing flashy, just notes from our work and thoughts on building homes that last. If you’re into nature-connected designs, dual occupancy, sustainable builds, or a renovation that fits your site, have a read. We’d love to hear your take.