residential building designer
to create spaces for ordinary people to do extraordinary things.
Stella Franks
Creative founder.
Building & Interior designer.
how can I help with your project?
services & process
redesigning homes for families to live in
I am here to help you design your home to achieve your ideal way of living. You may already know what you need to improve your home and living spaces. However you may not quite know how the space will quite fit together as a cohesive unit.
That’s where I can help.
I am able to work with you to develop your ideas, make recommendations and transpose those ideas into plans. As a licensed Building Designer, those plans can be submitted to council for approval, and be used for construction purposes.
Are you ready?
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Inclusions
Plan inclusions
All plans includes the following:
- on-site design consultation and internal site measure
- background research to determine site constraints
- site plans, floor plans & elevations to suit your individual project
- alternative layout options to suit
- 4x free plan variations to develop your ideas (2x major changes, 2x minor changes)
Plans ready for certification and building
Extension
Your loving where you live, but just need space, maybe a little, maybe a lot. Perhaps over sharing the one bathroom, or the kids when little enjoyed sharing a room, but now each need more personal space.
There are multiple ways of increasing the floor area of your house, whilst working within the constraints of your current floor plan. Whether extending outwards or even upwards I can work with you to ensure that the new area not just adds extra space, but improves the livibility of your house. I can provide multiple floor plan layouts that together we can tweak and adjust to ensure that the end result is something you and your family can live in for a long time to come.
Renovation
You brought a house.It has all the space you require. However there is a few things that are not quite in the right location. The kitchen is at one end, and you have to carry everything from one end down the hallway, past the toys, over the dog out to the dining. Reconsidering the location of a few choice rooms whilst being mindful of the orientation will increase the ease in which one moves through the space. A thoughtful internal renovation might happen in conjunction with an extension, as you gain extra space, you maybe able to spread out and increase room sizes or sneak in a much needed second toilet.
Raise and build under
This is all about maximizing your space, with additional benefits. By raising up, the potential to capture views and enjoy the breezes, whilst increasing the floor area of your house, without reducing your yard space is a big win win.
Carport
If you have an older style house, chances are there is minimal covered car parking on site if at all. Or you have multiple vehicles, and a caravan, boat, bikes or kids that will need cars soon, and your existing garage is now full, a carport is a good solution. Carports do not need to be the basic lean tos a mere after thought anymore. They can dress up extension and compliment the house or hide the house and make their own statement.
Deck/verandah
Decks can make a small house feel large. Providing an additional living area adjacent to a kitchen and or family room, opens up the house, and allow people to breathe. Bonus points if your backyard faces North. Orientation is an often overlooked consideration, but understanding its potential, will provide many benefits for years to come.
Kitchen, bath and laundry
In an older style house, the wet rooms might have just been squeezed into any available corner, added in as living standards advanced. That squished kitchen that was there to just serve a single purpose has now become multipurpose, the heart of the home, where home work and home cooks work next to each other. A kitchen now needs to be thought out and thoughtfully located. Access directly to living areas, both inside and out, improves function and subsequently livability.
The bathroom and laundry have come along way since their first arrival into the house. Bathrooms are now luxurious rather then a luxury item of yesteryear.
The laundry, once overlooked, it classically consisted of a familiar large concrete tub, with the water piped into it from the machine. Now, they too can be beautiful rooms featured on pinterest with genius storage solutions.
Granny flat
If you have the land size to do it, Granny Flats, add a great way to accommodate additional family members for long term stays whilst still allowing you to live separately. This may allow for interstate guests, older parents, or if your older kids haven’t quite yet moved out. New hobbies or side hustles may need that additional space to store supplies and have space to spread out and grow.
New house
This is where you almost have unlimited design potential. There is no existing structures, to work within. Together we can design how you wish to live. Providing space to entertain, space to rest and space for guests. This is the opportunity to consider the orientation of your house, to reduce that glaring summer sun, and invite the shy winter sun in enhance your living experience.
Orientation is one of the most overlooked elements of designing a house or renovation, whereas if it is well considered it can be one of the most influential elements of how you live in your home.
how much will this cost?
pricing
pre-site package
Pricing Structure
Renovations I extensions I raise & build under I new builds I carports
$27 000 inc GST
Pre-site packages includes:
- contour and detail survey+ identification survey (sites up to 800m2)
- plans for certification & construction purposes
- soil test for engineering purposes
- engineering
- 90 minute colour appointment with qualified interior designer
- certification (*exclusions apply)
- insurance
- administration fees
*Site specific requirements are excluded in the above package. Additional fees are required.
Examples of exclusions are as follows but not limited to:
- DA application/town planner
- build over services (BOS) applications and subsequent RFls
- relaxations
- BAL reports (bushfire attack level)
- hydraulic engineers and reports
are you ready?
existing conditions
When first contacted I will research your site. In South East Queensland there are a range of varying planning overlays that note special restrictions to preserve the character of the area. Depending on your project, your design may trigger town planning requirements as it can increase the costs of gaining approval and take additional time to achieve.
Other items to note is whether the area is in a flood or bush fire affected area, as this requires specific design considerations and additional reports completed during certification.
preliminary design
We will meet on site to discuss your project, and any potential restrictions that may need to be addressed.
I offer a range service levels. I can redraw your provided plans, without any design options, provide plans based on either your own ideas, images and brain storming as discussed on site, or can do a combination of both by developing the plans or sketches that you have provided.
Once you are happy with the design, you will be required to sign off on the plans. No further structural changes can occur after this stage. If additional changes do occur, a fee may be required, and the engineering may need to be amended to suit.
Plans provided may include:
• Site plan
• Floor plans
external consultants
The benefit of the pre-site package, is that I handle all the pre-site paperwork. Taking control of the process ensures that your project runs efficiently.
I have developed strong working relationships with industry professionals and I will co-ordinate the project through the various stages. Keeping you updated and informed along the way.
General external consultants, in order of project progression:
- Surveyor
- Engineer
- Town Planner (not included in package)
- Certifier (exclusions apply)
- Colour Consultant
- Builder (on site meeting)
building approval
Once the engineering is complete, I do a final check of the plans, updating to reference the engineers’ details and specification. I will add any additional notes for the certifier as required. Once complete the plans are ready for approval.
If your project has triggered town planning, a Development Application is now required. During this process, a Town Planner will be required to submit the plans to council for approval. If RFI’s are received the town planner will advise and I will discuss our options with you and I update the plans to suit.
Once the development application is approved, if required, the plans go to the certifier. The certifier will ensure that what is proposed will comply. They will seek approvals for a variety of conditions and ensure that all required reports have been completed.
This may include:
• Build over services (most common)
• Relaxations
• Tree removal permits
• Bush fire reports
• Flood report
from plans to completion
projects
toowong
When your home is your castle
east brisbane
Combining the charms of a workers cottage with city requirements
wynnum west
Open the space and open the opportunities
yeronga
Currently under construction
rochedale
Featured in Grand Design magazine
rochedale
Award winner
saddliers crossing
Part of history
acacia ridge
The ugly duckling, that grew into a swan.
acacia ridge
Creating a functional space for a growing family
happy clients & happy words
testimonials
Grand Designs Australia
The display home I designed for ‘Privium Homes’ appeared in the issue 8.6.
Custom Homes Australia
The display home I designed and conceptualized for ‘Privium Homes’ won Custom Homes Magazine “Housing and Construction Awards” winning “Brisbane’s Best Display Home over $551,000”.
View the write up here
https://customhomesonline.com.au/industrialstyle-award-winning-home/
Privium Homes
Read the description of the display home I designed and conceptualized for ‘Privium Homes’.
View the write up here
https://customhomesonline.com.au/display-homes-brisbane/
let’s start your project
contact
redesigning homes
for families to live in
Give me a call, and we can arrange a time for an on-site no obligation chat and a cup of tea to discuss your project.
I will get an understanding of your project, and be able to answer any questions about the process.
Ph: 0432 021 808
Hello
Let’s get started.
First step, tell me about your project, by filling in the form below.
chat
0432 021 808
stella@threestems.com.au
office hours
Monday - Friday
9:00am - 2:30pm
socials
facebook: threestems
instagram: threestemsdesign
location
South East Queensland
philosophy & essence
three stems
learning
Bachelor of Design, interior Environments
Building Designer • QBCC 15055942
Diploma of Interior Design & Technology
designing
Appreciate, honour & respect that the space designed, Influences how you live.
Believe in simplicity and practical designs, for livable solutions.
living
Reduce, reuse, recycle & renovate.
stem¹
noun
the stalk that supports a leaf, flower, or fruit.
verb
stem, stemming to arise or originate.
stem²
noun
stemmed, stemming to make progress against [any opposition].
verb
stemmed, stemming to make headway against [a tide, current, gale etc].
stem³
noun
the main, or usually vertical stroke of a letterform.