Our design values guide our process and underpin the success of our projects. Together, they form our toolbox for unlocking the potential of your site and realising your goals. Our design values guide the integration of architecture, landscape and interiors in our projects to create singular, unforgettable experiences.
Design Values
Understanding context
Every project has its own contextual matrix – factors that make it truly unique. We invest time to explore the context of each site – the landscape, urban environment, and planning context – to unlock its full potential. We also take a deep interest in our clients’ contexts – their values, ambitions, and aesthetic and cultural influences. We work between the client and site contexts to develop unique architectural responses that connect the two.
Integrating with landscape
Engagement with the landscape is our signature, and key to every design decision we make. Landscapes anchor us to our surroundings and deepen our sense of place and belonging. We anchor architecture to the landscape through devices such as courtyards, view framing and view borrowing, so that interior and exterior spaces speak to each other.
Sculpting with light
Light reveals the form of a space. Sculpting with light is one of the subtlest skills of architecture. A masterful architect uses light to direct focus, evoke moods, create visual journeys, and generate warmth and thermal comfort in the spaces of a building. The power of light is both physical and psychological. It the primary tool we use to create rich spaces and experiences for our clients.
Artificial light is just as critical to natural light for our mood and well-being, especially when we consider that we often use our homes most intensively in the evenings, after work. We strive to incorporate atmospheric lighting into your home. We curate lighting that can be adjusted for different uses, such as work, evening entertaining, and quiet relaxation, complementing our natural cycadean rhythms.
Sustainable and robust design
We prioritise robust materials and design fundamentals to create timeless spaces that serve clients well for the long term. We draw on materials, technologies, and construction details—both new and traditional—to create elegant and practical solutions that bring our designs to life.
We work closely with builders and suppliers to develop approaches that enhance robustness, reduce maintenance and minimise waste over the life of a building.
Beyond material considerations, we use solar passive design and natural ventilation to create thermal comfort, energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
About Imran Radin
Imran is Founder and Principal Architect at Foundsite Architecture. His approach is a humanistic one with a focus on integrating architecture and landscape.
Imran has diverse project experience from his years of practice in the industry, having worked across leading large, medium, and small architectural practices. He was part of the delivery team for Canberra’s $700m light-rail project at Architectus, and led a mixture of high-end residential and school projects at WMK Architecture and Stewart Architecture. He began his career in high-end residential architecture in 2012 at PopovBass.
Imran is a registered architect (NSW 11519) with undergraduate and masters degrees in architecture from the University of Canberra and the University of Newcastle. He holds first class honours for his research on how the principles of Traditional Chinese Gardens can be harnessed in contemporary architectural design.
On weekends, you might see Imran on a bushwalk, out in the garden or hunting for antiques and vintage objects.
About David Walsh
David Walsh is a our highly talented and skilled senior architectural technician and designer with a Master’s degree in Architecture from the Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. With many years of experience working in architecture firms across Australia and New Zealand, David has a proven track record of delivering exceptional value to clients.
David has particular expertise in industrial and residential architecture, taking projects from concept through to detailed design and construction. He is able to understand the client’s needs and deliver solutions that are aligned to their requirements and goals while considering the environmental impacts. He is known for his ability to balance design with cost-effectiveness, and his passion for sustainable design principles to deliver cost-effective and energy-efficient solutions for clients.
David is a highly intuitive team player who thrives on challenges and is dedicated to delivering exceptional value. He is able to manage complex projects with ease and has a proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget. David is excited to bring this valuable experience and skill set to the Foundsite team.