About
With South-East Queensland’s sub-tropical climate, there’s such an enormous range of design possibilities. Living on the Gold Coast means that our homes are not far from the fantastic beaches, and our lifestyles are reflecting that relaxed pace. From houses that naturally flow with the environment, creating an oasis of peace and privacy, to the bold and expressive, or anywhere in between. Styles can also be reworked using new technologies, enhancing simplicity and purity within a space.
“Mostly, I like to take a brief and challenge it – helping clients achieve maximum advantages within their budget.” – Will Collins
Profile
Will Collins lives at The Ecovillage in Currumbin Valley, Queensland with his family. He lives in a sustainable award winning home which utilises all the ecological principles he suggests. His first ever design when he was 20 was a mud brick pavilion style … which he finds amusing as it is very similar in plan to his own home today.
Will has been a popular and much sought after designer, with more than 30 sustainably designed homes so far within The Ecovillage. This innovative development has been awarded the ‘ World’s Best Environmental Development’ in the 2008 International Real Estate Federations “Prix D Excellence” Awards in Amsterdam. It has also won over 25 Australian Awards. The Ecovillage has quite strict environmental guidelines in it’s building codes, which has helped the village rise to such acclaimed heights in sustainable design across the world.
He studied Architectural Drafting (as known then) at Gordon Technical College in Geelong. Finishing his studies in 1984, he then worked with many architectural firms, gaining sound knowledge in construction and passive solar design. During this time he travelled extensively overseas and within Australia, quenching his thirst for adventure and extending his knowledge of other cultures and their unique building methods. This led to the opening of his own practice in Currumbin in 1993. Since then he has completed a wide range of projects from sustainable homes, luxury individual homes, townhouse developments, three storey walk-ups, duplexes, additions and renovations.
He has been invited to sit on many judging panels to award individuals within interior design colleges and with the Building Designers Association of Queensland. Will is a chartered member of the Building Designers Association of Qld. and was President of the Gold Coast Branch in 2002-2003 and previously in 2000-2001. He has been vice president now for approx. 7 years. Ongoing professional development is always a priority through seminars, workshops and conferences.
Being a donating member of The Wilderness Society and Greenpeace for over 15 years gives him another avenue for global and local action. You can also see him rolling up his sleeves to work at revegetation days and other local events.
Sustainability
Sustainable housing is what the world needs now – as forests all over the globe are being bulldozed for profit, and pollution becomes a huge problem globally, a well sustainable well designed home using less of the worlds resources is now very important for our future. A ‘green’ home helps the planet and in turn helps it’s occupants live in a non toxic, healthy atmosphere.
Combining sustainability with creative design can achieve a liveable, earth friendly home for years to come. There are many exciting options which result in a more sustainable way to build a home or development.
Will has been designing sustainable or passive solar homes since the early 80s, helping clients realise the potential of their site and reflecting their own personal spirit as well. Let him help you with design solutions for your special project. He believes in having a sustainable and great looking home which suits a persons needs over the long haul and is comfortable to live in.
A home can incorporate some or all of these features: Solar hot water, naturally well lit rooms, cross flow ventilation, thermal mass, recycled timber, low VOC paints, non toxic glues, ambient lighting, well thought out room flow, rainwater tanks, hydronic heating, solar power, minimal site impact, six star energy rating or more and using low embodied energy throughout.
Philosophy
Many different styles can reflect in a design, yet true creativity comes in an individual outlook to each particular project.
More and more people are leaning towards a contemporary feel in their residences which utilise a timeless quality. By the use of space and a mixing and matching of textural opposites, harmony can quite easily be achieved.
Using materials such as wood, stone, steel, metal and natural hues complements their surroundings, creating a Zen-like atmosphere. Areas for quiet relaxation away from the busy world are becoming a necessity and a wise designer will incorporate these within a plan. A dream home can be a unique, original expression.
Technology
It’s now possible to provide outstanding three dimensional viewing, wrap around movies and full colour images with Apple Mac OS10 and Archicad software. Artlantis is another tool which we use to create high quality photo-realistic 3D images.
This means that life-like models and movies can be created and you can view your house from any angle, lift the roof off and look from above, or see where the sun penetrates your windows at any time of day. All this technology helps to visualise the whole process and realise all possibilities. Clients remark: “It’s amazing to see our project come to life in front of our eyes.”
