Local Projects

Architectural Homes Across Melbourne & Surrounding Regions

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Thoughtfully designed homes, shaped by location.

Destination Living designs and builds architect‑led custom homes across Melbourne Metropolitan regions. From established inner‑city suburbs to bayside and peninsula locations, our projects are defined by careful attention to site conditions, lifestyle, planning requirements, and long‑term liveability.

Rather than working to a fixed formula, each home is designed in direct response to its setting — whether that means working within heritage streetscapes, coastal environments, narrow lots, sloping sites or neighbourhood planning controls.

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Why choose Destination Living

Our local experience allows us to navigate the nuances that differ from one area to the next — from council requirements and neighbourhood character overlays, to site orientation, coastal exposure and building constraints. This understanding shapes how our architects, interior designers and builders approach each project from the very beginning.

While our studio is based in Melbourne, our work spans a carefully considered selection of suburbs and regions where architecture, planning expertise and design‑led problem‑solving matter most.

Explore Our Local Project Example Areas

Below are examples of regions where Destination Living has designed and delivered custom homes. Each location page offers insight into the types of projects completed in that area, along with considerations unique to building there.

Kew, Kew East, Balwyn & Balwyn North

Ivanhoe, Eaglemont & Ivanhoe East

Ivanhoe downsizer exterior drone shot with timber decking, ample backyard, and floor-to-ceiling windows allowing natural light

Brighton & Bayside Suburbs

expansive 3 meter tall Interior corridor with venetian plaster finishing in a luxury brighton dual occupancy home

Mornington Peninsula

Visit our Home Building Calculator

Building your dream home should start with clarity, and that means knowing what to expect financially. Whether you’re eyeing an existing home renovation or starting fresh on an empty plot, our building cost calculator is your key to understanding project costs without any commitment.

FAQ: Knockdown and rebuild

Are you a Melbourne‑based custom home builder?

Yes. Destination Living is a Melbourne‑based architecture and construction practice, with our in‑house team of architects, designers and builders working locally across metropolitan Melbourne and select coastal regions. Being based in Melbourne means we understand local planning controls, council processes, construction conditions and how people live here.

Which areas across Melbourne do you work in?

We design and build custom homes across Melbourne, with particular experience in:

  • Inner East — Kew, Kew East, Balwyn, Balwyn North
  • North East — Ivanhoe, Ivanhoe East, Eaglemont
  • Bayside — Brighton, Brighton East, Elwood, Elsternwick
  • Mornington Peninsula — Mt Martha, Sorrento, Portsea, Flinders, Rye and surrounds

Each area presents different planning and site considerations, which our team addresses as part of the design process.

Why does local experience matter when building a custom home?

Local experience matters because every suburb has its own constraints and opportunities. Council requirements, neighbourhood character overlays, soil conditions, slope, access and lifestyle expectations all influence how a home should be designed and built. Our familiarity with Melbourne suburbs allows us to anticipate issues early and design accordingly.

Do you design homes differently for different Melbourne locations?

Yes. Our homes are always site‑specific.

For example:

  • Inner‑eastern suburbs often require sensitive responses to heritage streetscapes and neighbourhood character
  • North‑eastern areas frequently involve sloping sites and leafy settings that benefit from stepped forms and controlled outlooks
  • Bayside locations demand careful consideration of light, privacy, coastal conditions and council guidelines
  • Mornington Peninsula projects require materials and detailing suited to salt air, wind exposure and relaxed coastal living

The location directly informs design decisions.

Can you manage both design and construction in these areas?

Yes. Destination Living delivers a fully integrated design‑and‑build service. All architecture, interior design, approvals and construction are managed in‑house, providing continuity and clarity from early feasibility through to handover — regardless of which Melbourne area you’re building in.

Do you handle councils and planning approvals locally?

Yes. We manage planning and building approvals as part of our service. Having worked across multiple Melbourne councils and Peninsula authorities, we understand how to navigate overlays, local policies and approval pathways specific to each area.

Is Destination Living the right fit if my site is complex?

Many of our projects involve challenging conditions — sloping land, narrow blocks, heritage overlays, coastal exposure or established neighbourhoods. Our experience across Melbourne locations means complexity is addressed through considered design, not compromise.

Can you help if we want to knock down and rebuild in our suburb?

Absolutely. Knock‑down rebuilds are common across Inner East, North East, Bayside and Peninsula locations. We assess feasibility early, manage approvals, and design a new home that fits both your lifestyle and your local context.

Do you only work in the suburbs listed on your website?

The areas listed reflect where we have extensive experience and completed projects. If your site is within Melbourne or nearby coastal regions, we’re happy to discuss whether our approach is right for your location.