Design Science provides licensed building design services across the Southern Downs region, including Warwick, Stanthorpe, Killarney, Allora, Clifton, Wallangarra, and the Granite Belt. I hold both a QBCC Builder’s licence and a QBCC Building Designer’s licence — a combination that less than one percent of professionals nationally can claim.
We already work with clients in Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs. The Southern Downs is a natural extension of our existing service area, and I’m regularly in the region for project site visits.
Request a Consultation — 0404 039 029
Most building designers work from software. They produce plans that look right on screen but haven’t been tested against the realities of an actual construction site. That’s where problems start — and where budgets blow out.
I spent over a decade as a licensed builder before becoming a building designer. Every set of plans I produce accounts for how the project will actually be built, what it will actually cost, and what problems a builder will encounter on site. This is what construction-informed design means in practice.
For Southern Downs clients, that practical experience matters even more. Rural and semi-rural building comes with challenges you won’t find on a standard suburban lot — bushfire zones, steep terrain, large acreage sites, long service runs, and council requirements specific to Southern Downs Regional Council. I understand these conditions because I’ve built in them.
Every project includes full 3D digital modelling — your home is built digitally before a single footing is poured. You’ll walk through it virtually, see every room, and identify changes while they’re still cheap to make.
Whether you’re building on a town block in Warwick or a 100-acre property on the Granite Belt, I design homes that suit the site, the climate, and the budget. Every design includes construction-ready documentation — detailed enough for your builder to price accurately without padding allowances for missing information.
Learn more about our custom home design process
The Southern Downs has a significant stock of older homes — Queenslanders, post-war brick, and 1980s builds that are structurally sound but no longer work for modern living. I specialise in redesigning these homes with construction-ready documentation that accounts for existing structure, services, and the realities of working with what’s already there.
Learn more about renovation design
Large lot and rural property design is fundamentally different from suburban work. Setbacks are generous but site access, services, bushfire management, and environmental considerations add complexity. I design homes that work with the land — orientation for views, solar access, wind protection, and practical circulation for rural living including sheds, outbuildings, and farm infrastructure.
The Granite Belt is one of Queensland’s coldest regions — frost is common, snow falls occasionally, and winter temperatures regularly drop below zero. Energy-efficient design isn’t optional here, it’s essential. I design homes with passive solar principles, thermal mass, high-performance insulation, and glazing strategies that keep heating costs down without sacrificing natural light or views.
In a climate this variable — hot summers, cold winters — getting the building envelope right at design stage saves thousands in energy costs over the life of the home.
Learn more about sustainable design
Not every project is a full house. I design extensions, granny flats, garages, carports, and outbuildings with the same level of documentation and construction detail as a new home. If it needs building approval, it needs proper plans.
Learn more about specialised design services
The Southern Downs is changing. Property values in Stanthorpe have grown over 22% in the past year, with median prices reaching the mid-$500,000 range. Warwick is forecast for the greatest increase in new dwellings across the local government area. Major infrastructure projects — the $125 million Terrain Solar and UQ solar farm, the $84 million Emu Swamp Dam, and the $15 million John Dee expansion — are driving economic growth and new housing demand.
With a regional population of approximately 37,200 and forecast growth to 41,700 by 2046, the Southern Downs is attracting tree-changers, retirees, and families who want space, affordability, and a lifestyle that coastal cities can’t offer. Building approvals in the region were valued at $92 million in 2024-25.
I design for the specific conditions of this region. Southern Downs Regional Council has its own planning scheme — different from Gold Coast City Plan or Brisbane’s planning framework. Bushfire mapping covers significant portions of the region. The climate demands different design strategies than the coast. And the building sites — from rolling pastoral land to steep Granite Belt terrain — each present unique challenges that need to be solved at the design stage.
Distance is not a barrier to good design. Here’s how the process works for regional clients:
Initial consultation: We can meet by phone, video call, or in person. I’m regularly in the Toowoomba and Southern Downs region for existing projects, and I schedule site visits to coincide with these trips.
Site assessment: For detailed projects, I visit the site to understand the land — slope, orientation, access, vegetation, views, and any constraints that affect the design.
3D modelling: Every project is modelled in 3D. You receive virtual walkthroughs of your home — every room, every angle — so you can make informed decisions before construction starts. This is done digitally and shared via cloud-based collaboration, so location doesn’t matter.
Documentation: Construction-ready plans, specifications, and compliance documentation are prepared to the same standard as our Gold Coast projects. Your builder receives everything they need to price and build accurately.
Yes. Design Science provides full building design services to Warwick, Stanthorpe, and the broader Southern Downs region including Killarney, Allora, Clifton, and Wallangarra. I’m regularly in the region for existing projects and schedule site visits accordingly.
Building design fees typically run 4–7% of the construction cost, starting from $3,000. An initial consultation is $280 and includes an honest assessment of your project scope, likely costs, and timeline. The consultation fee is credited if you proceed to design. For a detailed breakdown, see our building designer cost guide.
Yes. I prepare all documentation required for Southern Downs Regional Council building and development applications. This includes site plans, floor plans, elevations, sections, specifications, energy efficiency reports, and any specialist reports required by overlays (bushfire, flood, environmental).
A building designer produces construction-ready documentation with professional oversight of the design process. A draftsman draws plans based on instructions. For anything involving structural changes, building approval, or design decisions that affect construction cost, a building designer delivers better value. Read our detailed comparison: building designer vs draftsman.
Whether you’re planning a custom home on the Granite Belt, renovating a Queenslander in Warwick, or building a rural retreat near Stanthorpe, 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, Brisbane, Toowoomba and the Darling Downs, and Northern NSW.
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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