IFAD

IFAD Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design | 25 November 2023 | Celebrating regional innovation.

This year, the Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design was proud to partner with the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recov...
01/12/2025

This year, the Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design was proud to partner with the Illawarra Women’s Trauma Recovery Centre . 💛

Through our classical music showcase at the we raised $780 for this incredible charity — a place where women can heal and rebuild their lives after experiencing domestic, family, and sexual violence.

We thank everyone who attended and showed their support, helping to raise awareness and funds for the Centre’s vital work. Through an innovative, wrap-around approach, the Centre empowers women to live independent and secure lives, supporting the wellbeing of current and future generations.

This charity was nominated by our co-curators this year, Stuart Scobie and Margie Rahmann, Directors of Edmiston Jones , whose nationally acclaimed work on the building has been recognised by the Australian Institute of Architects

TraumaRecovery

What a wonderful day at this year’s Festival Showcase: Inside Out – Landscape & Life! 🌿A huge thank you to our incredibl...
01/12/2025

What a wonderful day at this year’s Festival Showcase: Inside Out – Landscape & Life! 🌿
A huge thank you to our incredible Argritecture panel — Dr Lina Engelen, Chair of , Suzy Pickles, Director of , and David Petrie, Director of Infrastructure Policy at and Urban Design Planner & Landscape Architect and our very own Ben Wollen, Principal of .

Together, they shared inspiring insights on how everyone, no matter their space, can grow food, connect with nature, and nurture wellbeing through thoughtful design.

We were thrilled by the turnout and the energy in the room at , celebrating the creativity, innovation, and dedication of our local design and architecture community. Your passion makes events like this possible, and we couldn’t be more grateful to all our panellists and guests for making the day so memorable.

✨ Here’s to creating more spaces that connect people, nature and design!

LandscapeArchitecture HealthyCities Agritecture DesignForWellbeing SustainableDesign AustralianDesign CommunityDesign

31/10/2025

Back again this year for a behind-the-scenes look at — proudly calling the Illawarra home for over 50 years.

Big thanks to owner, Tanya Van Der Water, for having us and giving everyone a rare peek behind the curtain. What a celebration of local craftsmanship and innovation right on our doorstep!

🇦🇺

31/10/2025

Big thanks to Rob, Barry, and Ben at the exceptional for hosting us during the Illawarra Festival of Architecture & Design !

What a pleasure to welcome such an enthusiastic group into the workshop and be part of this vibrant local celebration of design and making.

Already looking forward to next year!

20/10/2025

🏆 People’s Choice Awards – New Build Category WINNER: ‘Autumn House’, Wollongong CBD 🌿✨

A dream collaboration between , and .landscape.design , Autumn House blends urban energy with coastal calm. Clean white lines, playful curves, and angled facades give it real character, while timber trims, stone, and landscaping add warmth and texture. Every detail has been carefully considered, making this a truly one-of-a-kind home.

With over 400 votes in the IFAD, the People’s Choice Awards brought our community together to celebrate the amazing work of local design pros. Every winner and honourable mention has transformed the streets and suburbs we call home — we couldn’t be prouder of all involved! 👏

Scroll across to see this beautiful project 👉
🎥 Video by: .studio.media
📸 Photo by:

Proudly supported by .wollongong

🌊 People’s Choice Awards – New Build Category Honourable MentionWe’re thrilled to recognise ‘Dobbie Ave’, East Corrimal...
20/10/2025

🌊 People’s Choice Awards – New Build Category Honourable Mention

We’re thrilled to recognise ‘Dobbie Ave’, East Corrimal — designed by and .building 🏡✨

Dobbie Ave is a beautiful new beachside home designed for a couple wanting easy, relaxed coastal living. Generous voids fill the space with natural light, while guest rooms welcome visiting family. With direct front-to-back access and a sunny northern outdoor zone, the home encourages connection with neighbours as well as quiet moments of retreat. Every detail is about comfort, accessibility, and the simple joy of seaside living.

Scroll across to see this inviting project 👉
📸

Proudly supported by .wollongong

🌿 People’s Choice Awards – Honourable Mention (New Build)And again, we see ‘Old Coast’ by , and , celebrated this ye...
20/10/2025

🌿 People’s Choice Awards – Honourable Mention (New Build)

And again, we see ‘Old Coast’ by , and , celebrated this year. Well done team!

📸 Photography by .instill

Tucked into the bushland at Stanwell Park, Old Coast is a calm, grounded retreat that feels right at home in its surroundings. The interiors use a restrained palette of brickwork, timber, and dark cladding to reflect the tones of the surrounding landscape. Designed with care for its bushfire setting and steep site, it’s a beautiful balance of nature, comfort, and craftsmanship.

Scroll across to see this stunning project 👉

🏆 People’s Choice Awards – Renovation Category WINNER: ‘Mathew’s Crescent’, Port Kembla ✨A collaboration with Nadine fr...
20/10/2025

🏆 People’s Choice Awards – Renovation Category WINNER: ‘Mathew’s Crescent’, Port Kembla ✨

A collaboration with Nadine from , Curtis from , and Gonia from — pictured here celebrating this incredible achievement.

Anchored in natural stone, oak, and polished concrete, the Port Kembla home is a warm coastal retreat for a young family. Polished concrete floors, a natural stone fireplace, and spa-like bathrooms combine timeless materials with daily life, balancing refinement and comfort. Thoughtful sustainability, cross-ventilation, and light-filled spaces create a home that breathes with its site, while every surface is designed to age gracefully, embedding the story of family life into the house itself.

Scroll across to see the beautiful project 👉

✨ People’s Choice Awards – Honourable Mention (Renovation)We’re thrilled to recognise ‘Pendlebury’, Woonona by in the P...
20/10/2025

✨ People’s Choice Awards – Honourable Mention (Renovation)

We’re thrilled to recognise ‘Pendlebury’, Woonona by in the People’s Choice Awards at 2025!

📸 Photography by

This small-scale renovation revitalises the front façade, creating a stronger connection to the street while respecting the home’s original character. By working with the existing form, the design introduces depth, texture, and visual interest to enliven the elevation and enhance approachability. A thoughtfully extended dining area with a beach seat and operable window encourages outdoor living, interaction, and sunlight-filled afternoons, making the home both functional and inviting.

Scroll across to see the project 👉

Proudly supported by .wollongong

🌟 People’s Choice Awards – Renovation CategoryWith over 400 votes in this year’s IFAD, the People’s Choice Awards brough...
20/10/2025

🌟 People’s Choice Awards – Renovation Category

With over 400 votes in this year’s IFAD, the People’s Choice Awards brought the community together to celebrate the outstanding work of our local design and building professionals. The results were incredibly close, and each winner and honorable mention showcases unique designs that are transforming our streets and suburbs. We congratulate all those recognised for their creativity, skill, and vision! 👏

✨ Honourable Mention – People’s Choice (Renovation)
‘Shauna Crescent, Mt Keira’ by and

📸 Pictured: Jason from and Jamie from with their partners.

This thoughtful renovation transforms a modest Mount Keira cottage into a warm, functional home for modern family living. North-facing living areas, a flexible layout, and Hamptons-inspired detailing create a bright, comfortable, and timeless space. Passive design strategies, recycled materials, and energy-efficient features ensure sustainability, while careful reorientation and planning enhance comfort, natural light, and neighbour amenity. The home perfectly balances tradition and modernity, beauty and practicality, creating a residence that is grounded, enduring, and connected to its environment.

👉Scroll across to see the breathtaking project 👉
📸

Brought to you in partnership with .wollongong

🏆 Curators Award – Honourable Mention (New Build)A well-deserved shout out in the Curators Award goes to ‘South Coast’,...
20/10/2025

🏆 Curators Award – Honourable Mention (New Build)

A well-deserved shout out in the Curators Award goes to ‘South Coast’, in Stanwell Park’ , tributing this wonderful collaboration between , , and 🌿🏡

Nestled in bushland at the base of the Illawarra Escarpment, where mountain meets ocean, this residence seamlessly harmonises with its natural surroundings. Expansive glazing frames tranquil treetop views, while a bold yet refined palette of stone, timber, and dark cladding anchors the home. The design celebrates connection — to nature, to light, and to a slower, mindful way of living. Every detail, from materiality to orientation, reflects the resilience, stillness, and beauty of its bushland context.

Scroll across to see this remarkable project 👉

📸 Photography by .instill

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Wollongong, NSW
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