About
Thextonsmith is a fresh and dynamic multidisciplinary architecture practice with head offices in Melbourne, Australia. With roots in the healthcare sector, Thextonsmith provides a unique offering of healthcare, hospitality, high-end residential and multi-residential design.
The experienced team is passionate about creating places that enrich the lives of those who inhabit them. Working seamlessly with clients, consultants and contractors, Thextonsmith creates beautiful spaces that meet the needs of both our clients and end users alike.
Thextonsmith believes architecture has the power to improve our quality of life, so we strive to create designs that reflect and adapt to its inhabitants’ lifestyle and aspirations.
Services
Thextonsmith is a full-service architecture firm. We offer services from feasibility and design through to documentation, construction oversight and support, and always strive to make the process a stress-free experience for our clients.
Feasibility Study
Got an idea? Discover its potential. Thexton Smith can undertake a full review of your site, assessing your brief alongside development controls and planning regulations. A preliminary review into local authority assets and infrastructure on the site will be undertaken via Dial Before You Dig, providing a holistic assessment of the proposed development.
Reverse Brief
Once a viable solution has been reached, we develop a detailed reverse brief for client review and approval. This brief is a live document, continuing to be updated as the project evolves. This brief sets out the key objectives of the project and key aspirations of the client, ensuring the two are aligned and that the client and architect are moving forward together towards a shared goal.
Master Planning
Upon client approval of the reverse brief, we then move into Master Planning. At this phase further detail is added to the selected scheme. Often two or three feasibility options will continue to be developed up to a point, to explore their potential and discover the optimal solution.
This phase is where the reverse brief is aligned with the Master Planning options, ensuring adequate space and area are provided. Supporting information such as a schedule of accommodation, staffing and equipment schedules are produced at this stage, to inform the following phases. Critical infrastructure is considered and space allowed. A detailed review of the Master Planning documents and return brief is undertaken at the completion of this phase.
Schematic Design
As the design process continues, we move into Schematic Design. This phase begins with undertaking thorough reverse briefs with the consultant team and client as required for complete clarity. At this phase detailed floor plans are prepared, with all rooms and spaces shown, alongside any equipment or the like that may be required. Critical infrastructure is included in the detailed documentation.
As the project develops, the exterior concept is designed alongside the interior layouts for client approval. External finishes schedules are prepared, and sample boards provided for your review.
A detailed review of the schematic design documents and reverse brief is undertaken at the completion of this phase, before Development Approval is lodged with the local authority (if required).
Design Development
When directed, Thexton Smith then proceed with Design Development. We ensure detailed briefing of the consultant team alongside the client, and begin resolving construction details and the inclusion of services information, usually involving electrical, mechanical, hydraulic and fire services. Design meetings are undertaken with the client and consultant team as required throughout the phase.
During this phase we also begin interior design, looking to select finishes, fixtures and fittings, design joinery and further develop detailed internal layouts to perfectly suit the space, use and budget. To assist with design, we prepare detailed schedules for furniture, lighting, fixtures and finishes. Interior finishes boards are prepared for client review and approval, and 3D renders and interior colour elevations are prepared and presented. The consultant team submit their packages for preliminary feedback from the building surveyor.
Construction Documentation
Alongside the Design Development phase, Thexton Smith and the consultant team produce Construction Documentation of the highest standard. These documents detail every architectural aspect of the project, providing the contractors with all necessary information to accurately construct the building. The documentation package incorporates all regulatory requirements, construction details and specifications.
A detailed review of the construction documents and reverse brief is completed at the end of this phase to ensure everything has been considered and addressed. Once reviewed and finalised, the documentation package is ready for tender to builders and building permit application.
Construction Phase Support
Throughout construction Thexton Smith responds to the Contractor’s requests for information, reviews shop drawings, approves samples and provides architectural services to clarify varying site conditions or contractor proposed alternatives. We provide architectural advice to the Superintendent regarding extension of time claims, variation claims and the like. We attend site regularly, monitoring construction, raising defects and generally providing advice to ensure construction is progressing as documented.
Superintendent Services
Whether you’re an experienced developer or embarking on your first project, Thexton Smith strives to ensure a seamless building process for our clients. Our team is well versed in Superintendent Services, working to minimise issues in the building process and ensure you a smooth journey to completion. The team has vast experience administering construction contracts, from straight Construct-Only contracts to Design & Construct or Guaranteed Maximum Price. Thexton Smith are knowledgeable in contract procurement and facilitation, and regularly assist and guide our clients though this phase.
Our services include liaising with the client and their legal team to finalise any construction contract amendments, sourcing and reference checking potential tenderers, administering the tender, and vetting final tender submissions for client selection. Upon selection we then facilitate contract signing, and move forward overseeing the construction contract.
Principal Consultant Services
Thexton Smith provide Principal Consultant Services whereby Thexton Smith obtain one fixed fee for the entire consultant team through all phases, from design through to defect liability period. This ‘one stop shop’ situation enables you to focus on your priorities, whilst Thexton Smith manage and coordinate the consultant team in its entirety. This also has the client benefit of making just one progress payment, with all the other consultants being engaged directly by Thexton Smith.
This fully transparent option enables one point of contact for our clients throughout the project’s duration, saving you valuable time and resources.
Philosophy
Thextonsmith understands the importance of great architecture, and the way it shapes human life. With people spending on average 87% of their lives indoors, a healthy and comfortable built environment is critical to wellbeing.
Viewing architecture as sculpture for living, Thextonsmith believe both creative and functional aspects of architecture are important, and great architecture succeeds at marrying these two concepts harmoniously. Like art, there is no objective response to architecture – it elicits an emotional reaction, often without the individual being aware.
When people spend so much of their time interacting with the built environment – for work, at home or recreationally – it is important that their natural response is positive.
Small design decisions are critical to a harmonious design: the colour and texture of a material may provide the user a sense of warmth and comfort; the height of a ceiling can provide an impression of space and grandeur; few windows may create a feeling of enclosure and protection, whilst many windows can elicit a sense of openness and connection.
Each of the above design actions can affect the way an occupant feels and responds to a space. By making careful design decisions, Thextonsmith is able to create environments where occupants feel comfortable and want to linger, or spaces that subconsciously encourage movement through them. This level of thought and consideration is a rare commodity that Thextonsmith brings to every project.
It is these decisions that Thextonsmith are adept at making. These decisions that make our architecture and interior projects amazing, and these decisions that our clients obtain great value from.
Methodology
At Thextonsmith, we understand the design process can be daunting – no matter the size of the project. Our team listens carefully to our clients and ask the right questions to develop a detailed reverse brief, outlining objectives and aspirations. Our collaborative design approach includes the client and project control group – maintaining a seamless dialogue that continues throughout the project’s duration.
We design with the budget in mind from the outset, ensuring environmental performance and long-term durability are at the forefront.
To help the client and project team understand our design vision clearly, we run an intensive design process of concept modelling for discussion, using a wide array of in-house computer simulation and physical modelling techniques to bring our ideas to life.
When everything has been considered, there’s less room for error. Our project documentation is completed to the highest industry standards and we are often complimented on our level of detail during by local authorities at the planning phase, and by builders in the construction phase. The result of our excellence is seamless planning and construction processes with little chance of surprises.
Sustainability
Nature knows best – it is our greatest asset and accordingly it is our biggest inspiration. Even the simplest observation of nature reveals adaptations to the environment that we can investigate, harness and mimic to create sustainable design. For example, the way a tree’s leaves are uniquely shaped to capture maximum light, or how an insect’s exoskeleton protects the sensitive internal structures.
At Thextonsmith, we believe it is our collective responsibility to implement sustainable initiatives. We take a holistic approach, incorporating sustainability best-practice in the core design phase, following the nationally recognised Green Star system.
We know there is no one-size-fits-all approach to designing for sustainability. Accordingly, we undertake a thorough analysis of each project’s objectives and challenges and provide a tailored response that maximises opportunities for innovation, sustainable initiatives, benefits and cost savings.
Thextonsmith believe we must do everything possible to help add quality to the lives of the occupants of the buildings we design. We believe a healthy and sustainable built environment leads to a healthier, happier community, while preserving our natural resources for future generations.
ISO 9001:2015 Certified
Thexton Smith is proud to be ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 45001 certified.
