Kelem Design is a boutique architectural design studio located in the centre of Melbourne's Bayside district. Since its establishment in 2001 Kelem Design has developed a firm foothold in residential architecture design, specialising in luxury townhouse developments, contemporary home design, major renovations and extensions, as well as contemporary apartments developments.
Years of experience in the building design industry allow us to manage architecure projects from initial concept sketch design to a detailed and comprehensive documentation stage. Kelem Design specialise in guiding clients through complex development application submissions, successfully securing planning and building permits in a timely fashion. We also offer other various residential design services such as kitchen & bathroom joinery design, landscape planning and interior design colour consultancy.
Kelem Design treats every new project with an individual approach and immaculate attention to detail, ensuring a quality service and client satisfaction. Our use of sophisticated 3d modelling software and experience with a wide variety of innovative construction materials result in unique and accurate architectural designs.
In recent years we have also branched out into the 3d visualisation field and have been able to provide clients with high quality 3d rendering services for marketing and visualisation purposes.
Please feel free to view images of some of our completed projects in the gallery sections. For all enquiries including quotations please visit the contact section.
Our business provides various architectural design and construction consulting services.
We also offer 3d visualisation services in collaboration with our partner Cleanpix Graphics
Below is a list of the services we offer our clients:
Architectural Concept Design
We collaborate closely with our clients to understand their vision, lifestyle needs and budget.
This stage translates core ideas into preliminary sketch designs and feasibility studies, providing initial concept plans, elevations, and 3D visuals for client review.
Prior to creating any drawings, we may conduct early-stage site visit and evaluation to determine regulatory constraints, site conditions and area calculations.
Town Planning Submissions
Once a concept is client-approved, the design is progressed into a comprehensive town planning package tailored for Council endorsement.
We prepare and manage all required documentation, including detailed site analysis, floor plans, elevations, shadow diagrams, materials schedules and written design responses.
Our team handles the end-to-end submission process, liaising directly with City Council authorities and managing specialist consultants such as arborists, ESD (energy) consultants and land surveyors to secure your planning permit efficiently.
VCAT Submissions
In instances where a residential or townhouse application requires a review by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT), we provide robust technical support.
We prepare specialised amendment drawings, collaborate with your town planning advocates, and attend VCAT hearings to defend the integrity, compliance, and neighbourhood character of the design.
Construction Drawings & Building Permits
We bridge the gap between design and physical construction by producing highly detailed working drawings.
This extensive documentation includes structural detailing, bespoke joinery integration, wall type schedules, window and door schedules, and comprehensive specification notes.
We undertake consultant co-ordination by integrating structural, civil, and energy-efficiency (NatHERS) designs into the architectural set.
Interior Design & Joinery
Our interior design service focuses on enhancing functionality, texture, and indoor flow.
We collaborate with our clients to create tailored room elevations, bespoke joinery layouts (such as custom kitchens, robes, and vanities), and comprehensive colour and materials schedules.
We can present physical material samples alongside immersive 3D interior renders, enabling out clients to experience the space before construction begins.
Landscape Design & Co-ordination
Outdoor spaces are closely scrutinized during the planning phase. We can design landscape layouts that fulfill Council deep-soil and canopy-tree requirements.
For projects featuring swimming pools, alfrescos or complex terrain, we co-ordinate seamlessly with external landscape architects to blend the building beautifully with its natural surroundings.
Report & Consent Applicaions
When a residential design or extension requires a minor variation from standard building regulations (such as setbacks, building heights, or overlooking/overshadowing standards), we manage the Council dispensation process.
We prepare the necessary modification drawings, draft compelling technical justification letters, and track the application through local government channels until Report and Consent is granted.
Liaising with authorities
To mitigate risk before construction begins, we manage critical due diligence with local water, sewage, and municipal authorities.
We conduct thorough site investigations, including Title Searches and assets/drainage mapping, to ensure hidden infrastructure or easements do not impact your build or extension.
3d Rendering & Visualisation
In collaboration with our partner studio, we are able to prepare high-end, photo-realistic exterior and interior visualisations.
These renders allow homeowners and renovators to gain a better understanding of the proposed architectural design, while providing developers with premium, high-impact marketing assets ready for pre-sales and project advertising.
Photos of our completed project portfolio can be viewed in our gallery sections. For all general enquiries including quotations, please visit the contact section.
Pricing enquiries for all projects are assessed independently, allowing us to evaluate the scope of works and client needs prior to submitting our formal fee proposal.
The figures below set out indicative price ranges for some of our most requested project types.
Tier = Fit-out class
TP = Town Planning Submission
WD = Working Drawings & Documentation
INT = Interior Joinery Drawings & Finishes Package
Double Storey Townhouses (Duplex) | |||
| Tier | TP | WD | INT |
| Standard | From $12K-$16K | From $14K-$18K | From $3K-$12K |
| Premium | From $15K-$18K | From $25K-$28K | From $6K-$15K |
| Add-ons | Underground Garage, Basement, Swimming Pool | From $2K-$3.5K | |
Double Storey Townhouses (3 Units) | |||
| Tier | TP | WD | INT |
| Standard | From $18K-$24K | From $18K-$35K | From $6K-$15K |
| Premium | From $28K-$35K | From $25K-$38K | From $8K-$17K |
| Add-ons | Underground Garage, Basement, Swimming Pool | From $2K-$4.5K | |
Double Storey Dwelling (Single Lot, No TP Required) | |||
| Tier | TP | WD | INT |
| Standard | - | From $8K-$12K | From $3K-$9K |
| Premium | - | From $14K-$25K | From $6K-$12K |
| Add-ons | Underground Garage, Basement, Swimming Pool | From $1.5K-$3K | |
Single Storey Dwelling (Single Lot, No TP Required) | |||
| Tier | TP | WD | INT |
| Standard | - | From $6.5K-$9.5K | From $3K-$6K |
| Premium | - | From $14K-$17K | From $3K-$6K |
| Add-ons | Underground Garage, Basement, Swimming Pool | From $1.5K-$3K | |
Single Storey Home Extension (No TP Required) | |||
| Tier | TP | WD | INT |
| 20-100 sqm | - | From $4.5K-$8K | Included |
| 100-200 sqm | - | From $6.5K-$12K | Included |
| Add-ons | Report & Consent (Council Dispensation) | From $1.5K-$3K | |
| Measure-up | Site Visit / Measure existing condition | From $900-$3.5K | |
Low Rise Apartments (2 to 4 storeys) | |||
| Tier | TP | WD | INT |
| S (3-6 apts) | From $25K-$45K | From $27K-$50K | From $10K-$18K |
| M (7-12 apts) | From $50K-$70K | From $60K-$80K | From $22K-$40K |
| L (13-20 apts) | From $85K-$130K | From $100K-$180K | From $40K-$75K |
| Add-on Basement | From $10K-$18K | From $15K-$25K | - |
| Add-on Communal Pool | From $3.5K-$5.5K | From $4K-$6K | - |
Note: All prices listed exclude GST, council application fees, and secondary consultant costs (such as structural engineering, land surveying, energy ratings, and building surveyor fees).
To request a free quote, please get in touch via the contact page.
We believe in absolute transparency when it comes to investing in your future home. To give you maximum financial predictability, we offer two main ways to structure your architectural fees based on your project scope and budget clarity.
Staged Progress Payments — To support your financial planning, both our flat fee and percentage structures are broken down into manageable progress payments. You only pay for each completed stage of work:
For larger projects we can charge a percentage of estimated construction cost.
Q. What specific types of residential projects do you design?
A. We design bespoke luxury homes, premium apartments, multi-unit developments and duplexes that maximize site potential.
Q. What areas and municipalities do you cover?
A. While we specialise in Melbourne's urban areas like Bayside, Port Phillip, Stonnington, Kingston and Glen Eira and coastal country regions like Mornington Peninsula, we also frequently service other greater Melbourne suburbs.
Q. Can you help with major renovations, remodeling, and extensions?
A. Yes. We seamlessly blend modern extensions and detailed remodeling into existing structures while strictly respecting the property’s architectural history.
Q. Do you need to visit the property before starting?
A. Yes. A comprehensive site visit is required for all projects in order to evaluate topography, views, solar orientation, and local context.
Q. What extra steps are required for a renovation or remodeling project?
A. For all renovation and extension projects, we conduct a meticulous, on-site site measure and inspection to accurately map the existing building before design work begins. We would liaise with the consulting structural engineer if we evaluate that structural assessment is required.
Q. Can we meet with you and discuss the project before we make a decision?
A. Yes. We can arrange the meeting on-site or in our office to discuss the potential of your project and the process. We are happy to discover your requirements and review your original ideas.
Q. How do you ensure a successful planning application?
A. We collaborate with an expert town planning consultant who assesses your project early and coordinates directly with local councils. This allows us to pre-emptively refine the design to strictly meet expectations, to maximize planning approval success rate.
Q. Do you handle Report and Consent applications?
A. Yes. If your preferred design concept requires a variation to standard building regulations (such as boundary setbacks or fence heights), we manage the entire Report and Consent application with council to secure the necessary local dispensations.
Q. Do you handle council approvals for heritage or strict zoning areas?
A. Yes. We have deep experience navigating strict council rules, heritage overlays, and unique regional codes common in both coastal zones and metropolitan Melbourne.
Q. Do you collaborate with the engineers, energy rater, or any other consultant?
A. Yes, we coordinate them for you. Larger projects require structural engineers, energy raters, sustainability consultants, fire engineers, landscape designers and land surveyors, all of whom we source and manage.
Q. How far do you take the project before construction begins?
A. We take care of full consultant coordination and technical drawing packages to bring your project entirely through the pre-construction phase up until your Building Permit is officially issued.
Q. Do you handle the interior design as well?
A. We are capable of delivering a complete interior design fit out package in-house, including joinery, fixtures & fittings and finishes specifications. Alternatively, we are happy to collaborate with your preferred third party interior consultant.
Q. How long does the design and planning phase take?
A. Bespoke homes and multi-unit designs typically take 3 to 8 months for design and approvals, depending on scope of works. Renovations & extensions typically take 2 to 5 months to finalise. Design and approvals of apartment building projects can take longer depending on size and complexity of the proposal.
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