What is an architect, and what does it mean for you?
Brent Riseborough - Registered Architect #13128 NSW ARB
You may have heard: I’m now a registered architect. With that, we’ve made a quiet but meaningful shift from Conscious Design Studio to Conscious Architecture.
It felt like the right time to reflect on a question we’re often asked, sometimes directly and sometimes between the lines:
What is an architect, and how can working with one shape your project experience?
At Conscious Architecture, we’re a small, values-led practice based in Bungendore, working across the Canberra region, NSW, and Victoria. We design energy-efficient, climate-resilient homes that respond to the people who live in them and the land they sit on.
As registered architects and certified energy assessors, we bring together design thinking and building science to help you create a home that’s not only beautiful, but also built to last.
So, what is an architect?
An architect is more than someone who draws house plans. In Australia, the title is legally protected. To become registered, architects must complete an accredited architecture degree (typically 5 to 6 years), log thousands of hours in practice, and pass a rigorous exam and interview process. It’s a long journey, but one designed to protect you.
As architects, we’re trained not just in design, but also in construction systems, regulatory compliance, sustainability, and project delivery. We understand how each piece of the puzzle, from bushfire and planning requirements to structural detailing and energy use affects the whole picture.
How does that help you?
We know the process of designing and building a home can feel overwhelming, especially when trying to make confident decisions within a system that often feels complex or inconsistent. That’s where we come in.
We guide you from early ideas through to approvals, tendering and construction, providing expertise, foresight and care at every step. This includes:
Navigating the complex world of local planning rules, bushfire overlays and environmental constraints
Designing for energy efficiency and durability, so your home is built for long-term comfort and performance
Creating clear, coordinated construction documentation that helps avoid budget blowouts or costly variations on site
Helping you select a builder, prepare a suitable contract and stay involved through construction to ensure the final outcome aligns with your vision
We’re not just designers. We’re your advocate throughout the process, helping reduce risk, clarify complexity and bring calm to what can otherwise be a high-stakes experience.
Is working with an architect more expensive?
Not necessarily. Working with an architect isn’t about spending more. It’s about spending smarter. A well-resolved design can help reduce costs during construction, avoid unnecessary variations, and increase the long-term value, comfort and sustainability of your home.
In the long run, that can mean fewer regrets and a home that continues to work for you well into the future.
Still wondering who you need on your team?
If you’re unsure about the difference between an architect, building designer or draftsperson, you might also like this article we wrote comparing who does what in the design and construction process:
👉 Read: Who Should I Work With — Architect, Designer or Draftsperson?
Thinking about working with a local architect?
If you're based in New South Wales, Canberra or the surrounding region and want to work with an architect who brings clarity, care and science to the process — we’d love to hear from you. We work across NSW, the ACT, and Victoria.
We offer a free 30-minute discovery call to chat through your ideas, answer your questions, and see whether Conscious Architecture is the right fit for your project.
Because designing a home should feel exciting — not exhausting. And with the right guide beside you, it absolutely can be.
