Design Science brings construction-informed building design to Brisbane — led by David Steadman, a Licensed Builder and Licensed Building Designer. That’s not marketing spin. It means your renovation or new home is designed by someone who has swung a hammer, managed trades, and built houses for a living.
Brisbane is in the middle of a renovation boom. Over $1 billion in residential renovation approvals in 2023-24. Queenslanders being raised, extended, and transformed across the inner suburbs. If you’re planning to renovate, extend, or build new in Brisbane, you want a designer who understands how buildings actually go together — not just how they look on a screen.
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Brisbane’s residential renovation market is one of the strongest in Australia, and the reasons are straightforward.
The city has an enormous stock of pre-1946 Queenslander homes — timber and tin houses on stumps, built for a subtropical climate but often no longer meeting the needs of modern families. Thousands of these homes are structurally sound but functionally outdated. Raising them, building underneath, and extending out the back has become Brisbane’s signature renovation type.
Land values in established inner suburbs make renovation the smart financial decision. In Paddington, Red Hill, Ashgrove, and New Farm, the land alone is worth more than the house. Knocking down and rebuilding means paying premium construction costs on premium land. Renovating means working with what you have — and a good designer makes that work brilliantly.
The 2032 Olympics are accelerating infrastructure investment across the city. Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro, and the Gabba precinct redevelopment are driving property values in surrounding suburbs. Homeowners are investing in their properties now, ahead of the curve.
For an honest comparison of the options, read our guide to knockdown rebuild versus renovation.
A Queenslander renovation is not a normal renovation. These homes have their own structural logic — stumps, bearers, joists, subfloor framing, lightweight cladding, and a building envelope designed for airflow, not insulation. Understanding that logic is essential to designing a successful renovation.
Raise and build under: This is Brisbane’s most common major renovation — lifting the existing house and building a new ground floor underneath. It’s essentially constructing a new home with an existing structure sitting on top of it. The structural engineering, the load paths, the connection between old and new — this is where a builder’s understanding of construction really matters.
Rear extensions: Extending a Queenslander out the back to create open-plan living, modern kitchens, and indoor-outdoor flow while keeping the character frontage intact. The junction between old and new construction is the critical design challenge — getting it wrong means water ingress, structural movement, and visual disconnect.
Heritage and character overlay requirements: Brisbane City Council’s character overlay covers large parts of the inner suburbs. External changes to character homes require heritage assessment. I design extensions and renovations that respect the original character while delivering contemporary living — and I prepare the documentation council needs to approve it.
My construction background means I understand these projects from the inside out. I’ve built Queenslander renovations. I know what the builder will encounter when they start stripping back cladding, what the subfloor will look like, and where the problems hide.
Read more about choosing the right professional for your renovation: renovation designer vs interior designer vs architect.
From Queenslander raise-and-build-under projects to complete internal redesigns of postwar brick homes, I produce renovation documentation that accounts for existing structure, services, and the realities of working with what’s already there. Your builder receives plans that reduce surprises, not create them.
Learn more about renovation design
New homes in Brisbane increasingly mean building on challenging sites — narrow lots in established suburbs, steep blocks, or flood-affected land that requires careful design. Every custom home is designed for the specific site, with full 3D modelling and construction-ready documentation.
Learn more about custom home design
Brisbane’s subtropical climate is ideal for passive design strategies — cross-ventilation, solar orientation, shading, and thermal mass. Good design reduces reliance on air conditioning and heating. I design homes that exceed the NCC 2022 7-star NatHERS minimum because it makes economic sense for the homeowner.
Learn more about sustainable design
Second storey additions, granny flats, garage conversions, and outdoor living areas. If it needs building approval, it needs proper documentation. I treat every project with the same level of construction detail, regardless of size.
Learn more about specialised design services
Design Science services Greater Brisbane including:
Inner Brisbane: Paddington, Red Hill, Ashgrove, New Farm, Teneriffe, Woolloongabba, West End, Highgate Hill, Kelvin Grove, Spring Hill, Fortitude Valley
Northside: Chermside, Kedron, Stafford, Mitchelton, Everton Park, Alderley, Ashgrove, The Gap, Ferny Hills
Southside: Mount Gravatt, Holland Park, Coorparoo, Camp Hill, Carindale, Sunnybank, Yeronga, Annerley, Tarragindi
Western Suburbs: Indooroopilly, Chapel Hill, Kenmore, Brookfield, Fig Tree Pocket, St Lucia, Toowong
Outer Brisbane and Surrounding LGAs: Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, Redland — by arrangement for larger projects
Based on the Gold Coast, I work regularly across Greater Brisbane. The M1 puts most Brisbane suburbs within 90 minutes of my office.
The process starts with a consultation — a paid session ($280) where I assess your site, discuss your brief, and give you an honest assessment of scope, likely costs, and timeline. If you proceed to design, the consultation fee is credited to your project.
For Brisbane projects, the initial consultation can be in person, by phone, or video call. For renovations, I prefer to visit the site early — understanding the existing building is critical to designing a successful renovation.
Every project includes full 3D modelling. You receive virtual walkthroughs so you can see your renovation or new home from every angle before committing to construction. This is done digitally and shared via cloud-based collaboration — practical for clients across the city.
Yes. Design Science services inner Brisbane, northside, southside, western suburbs, and outer Brisbane. I also work in surrounding local government areas including Logan, Ipswich, and Moreton Bay for larger projects. I’m based on the Gold Coast and work regularly across Greater Brisbane.
Building design fees typically range from 4–7% of the construction cost, starting from $3,000 for smaller projects. The initial consultation is $280 and includes a thorough assessment of your project. If you proceed, this fee is credited. For a detailed breakdown, see our building designer cost guide.
Absolutely. David’s construction background includes hands-on experience with Queenslander raise-and-build-under projects, rear extensions, and character home renovations. I understand the structural logic of these homes because I’ve built them — stumps, bearers, joists, subfloor framing, and the critical junctions between old and new construction.
Yes. I prepare all documentation required for Brisbane City Council building and development applications — including character overlay assessments, flood overlay requirements, and neighbourhood plan compliance. I also handle applications for surrounding councils including Logan, Ipswich, Moreton Bay, and Redland.
Whether you’re raising a Queenslander, extending a postwar home, or building new on a challenging inner-city site, I’d welcome the opportunity to discuss your project.
The initial consultation is $280 and includes an honest assessment of your project scope, likely costs, and the best path forward. If you proceed to design, the consultation fee is credited to your project.
Call David Steadman on 0404 039 029 or request a consultation online.
Design Science also services the Gold Coast, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, Northern NSW, and the Southern Downs.
QBCC Licensed Builder & Building Designer — Licence #15277902
Fully insured • Personalised consultation • Transparent pricing
Transparent pricing with no hidden costs. Every project includes full 3D digital modelling, detailed construction documentation, and a complete bill of quantities.
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