What does a Building Designer do? And how they can help you when designing, building or renovating your home?
In this episode, we’ll be diving into the role of Building Designer. Aaron Wailes is a Brisbane-based licensed Building Designer, with over 15 years industry experience.
Aaron is a friend and colleague I’ve known for many, many years. Aaron and I first met at Mirvac over a decade ago. When 5 colleagues and I set up our architectural practice, DC8 Studio, Aaron was our first crew member.
And, Aaron and I have continued to partner each other to deliver projects in our respective businesses. In fact, if you’ve checked out the Project Diary on the UA blog, where we’re following the renovation of a Queenslander cottage
Aaron set up AWBD – or Aaron Wailes Building Design in 2009. He and his wife had been living and working overseas in the United Kingdom for some time, and they returned to Brisbane to set up AWBD Design Consultants.
Aaron is incredibly passionate about good design. He’s worked across many different project types, from retirement living, housing developments, apartments and office buildings … both here in Australia, Europe and the Middle East.
One of the things I love about how Aaron works is the way his practical construction knowledge gets brought together with his design skills. When you work with a designer, you want them mentally building whilst they design. So, what I mean by this, is that as they’re drawing lines in a design concept, they’re also thinking about the constructability, the structural design … how all these things come together to meet your brief and your budget. Aaron works in this way with his clients to help deliver them great results.
Aaron is also a gun on Revit, which is a 3D computer documentation tool. So, Aaron will ‘build’ the project inside the computer, before it gets built on site. It’s a great way to uncover and anticipate any issues at the drawing stage – which in turn manages your risk on site during construction. And whenever a designer works with you in 3D, it helps you see the solution before the solution is built, and have that design vision communicated to you.
It’s great to sit down with Aaron to talk about the role of the building designer, and his tips on how to find one, how they’ll help and the way to get the best in working with one.
This is about the WHO, the WHAT, the WHEN and the WHY of using a building designer for your renovation or building project.
Listen to the podcast now.
To learn more about Aaron Wailes and AWBD (now GreenCoast Design), head to here to connect with him:
GreenCoast Website
GreenCoast Facebook
GreenCoast Instagram
Links mentioned in this podcast
- Building Designers Association of Australia >>> Website
- National Association of Building Designers >>> Website (and this has links to each individual state’s organisation)
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With over 30 years industry experience, Amelia Lee founded Undercover Architect in 2014 as an award-winning online resource to help and teach you how to get it right when designing, building or renovating your home. You are the key to unlocking what’s possible for your home. Undercover Architect is your secret ally
I clicked on this website to learn more on what a building designer does. I was disapointed when all I read was about Aaron. I never learned what a building designer did.
Hi Ananamous,
I would suggest listening to the podcast itself, as the blog post is an introduction / show notes only. The interview with Aaron is packed full of information for homeowners about how a Building Designer works, and how they can help you in your project. If you’re a Building Designer, or thinking about becoming one, I’d recommend checking out the Building Designers Association >>> CLICK HERE.
– Amelia, UA
Hi, I clicked on the bdaa website and could not find a single current accredited building designer having Building Design – Open credentials, similar to Aaron in the podcast, in Melbourne, VIC.
– There is only one BDAA Accredited – Low Rise, one BDAA Accredited – Medium Rise and two registered Architects. Rest are all Draftsperson – Building Design (Architectural). Is there a reason why the BDAA accreditation does not have good uptake in VIC?
– Are persons having Building Design – Open credentials practising in other states, legally allowed to design custom homes in Melbourne or does one need a bdaa accredited professional in VIC only?
Hi Savu,
Thanks for your comment. Another resource that may be helpful in looking for Building Designers is Design Matters National. It claims to have the largest registry of Building Designers in Australia >>> https://www.designmatters.org.au/Web/Web/Our-Members/Registered-Building-Designers.aspx You can check with your local state’s requirements as to whether a Building Designer is required to be registered or licensed in your state in order to practice.
– Amelia, UA x