We are a boutique architectural practice focused on producing innovative, functional and aesthetically inspiring designs for our Clients. We strive for design excellence on every project that we undertake, regardless of size, prestige or budget.
With extensive experience gained over 30 years working as an Architect, an Architect Developer, and a Developer's Architect, founder John Lea is uniquely positioned to understand what a Client expects and the services required from their Architect.Having also been directly involved in designing many prestige houses and award-winning multi-residential projects, we have a track record of high-quality design delivery.
John has done an outstanding job in designing two homes for us. His ability to marry stunning architectural form with exciting yet functional internal planning maximising the potential of our riverfront sites, has resulted in houses that have been a joy to live in.
With extensive experience gained over 30 years working as an Architect, an Architect Developer, and a Developer's Architect, founder John Lea is uniquely positioned to understand what a Client expects and the services required from their Architect.Having also been directly involved in designing many prestige houses and award-winning multi-residential projects, we have a track record of high-quality design delivery.
John has done an outstanding job in designing two homes for us. His ability to marry stunning architectural form with exciting yet functional internal planning maximising the potential of our riverfront sites, has resulted in houses that have been a joy to live in.
Services
With over 30 years' experience working in both architectural consulting and property development, Lea Design Studio is uniquely positioned to offer a wide range of architectural services tailored to suit individual clients' specific needs and objectives. These services can be distinguished as either Principal Architect, or a Concierge Architect role.
Raised on a farm some distance from the nearest town, from a very early age I was taught the importance of invention and innovation to solve everyday problems utilising what we had at hand. This fostered an interest in design, and my passion for Architecture was ignited whilst attending Boarding School in the city where I was exposed to a wide array of architectural styles from historic colonial to contemporary modern.
Unlike other professions such as medicine where clients come to you through necessity, or accounting where they return annually, Architects deal with clients who often only need architectural services for one specific project. Consequently, the reputation of an Architect is the most valuable marketing tool to continually generate new clients through referrals.
The development of most projects from inception to completion typically requires months of design work followed by many more months of construction. This portfolio provides an overview of some of the exciting projects Lea Design Studio are currently working on, either "on the drawing board" or "on site".
Reviews (10)
Emma Moloney
Jan 14, 2022
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As owner builders we were constructing houses on neighbouring sites to one of Lea Design Studio’s designs which was being built at the same time.
We were impressed with the quality of the design and the selection of materials used. Based on the positive referrals provided by both the owners and the builder of this residence, we contacted John to discuss designing our next home.
Our brief was limited to setting an approximate building size and schedule of required rooms, relying largely on John’s experience and design skills to produce a solution that will maximise the potential of the premium
We were impressed with the quality of the design and the selection of materials used. Based on the positive referrals provided by both the owners and the builder of this residence, we contacted John to discuss designing our next home.
Our brief was limited to setting an approximate building size and schedule of required rooms, relying largely on John’s experience and design skills to produce a solution that will maximise the potential of the premium
Pattaree Jiranuchaiwattana
Dec 13, 2021
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So lucky to found John to work on our house renovation, it was great through the whole process. As a first time renovation I was unsure on the process. John was so supportive throughout and helped us with every step of renovation. We couldn’t be happier with our home design.
Anyone engaging John, will be in a very good hands.
Highly recommend!!
Anyone engaging John, will be in a very good hands.
Highly recommend!!
Vitchaya Hasitawet
Dec 13, 2021
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Amazing experience and pleasure dealing with John. From our first meeting through to our final review for my home renovation I’m so happy in every steps with Lea design studio.
Extremely reliable, service on time, with an honest and professional advice. We’re so lucky to find John Lea. Very very highly recommend!!
Extremely reliable, service on time, with an honest and professional advice. We’re so lucky to find John Lea. Very very highly recommend!!
Shirley Huberts
Oct 05, 2020
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We moved to the Gold Coast recently, and were looking for a reputable Architect to design our new beachfront home.
We found John via Google on Houzz website and were impressed by the very good reviews from his previous clients.
John was chosen as our preferred candidate after meeting with him and a couple of other Architects with experience in upmarket residential design. John presented us with a very detailed proposal from initial sketch design through to building completion giving us good visibility of all the steps in the process.
Since engaging John, the design experience has been very interactive
We found John via Google on Houzz website and were impressed by the very good reviews from his previous clients.
John was chosen as our preferred candidate after meeting with him and a couple of other Architects with experience in upmarket residential design. John presented us with a very detailed proposal from initial sketch design through to building completion giving us good visibility of all the steps in the process.
Since engaging John, the design experience has been very interactive
Bek Rosser
Jun 24, 2020
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John Lea is an absolute professional. From initial mood boards to final design the quality of his work has been terrific and has exceeded all expectations. He has listened carefully to what matters to us and has skillfully combined our voice with what is practical and aesthetically pleasing. John has aptly applied his extensive design experience to our residential build and has embraced the challenges of a remote coastal site to design something that will be robust, beautiful, unique and most importantly, has livability front-of-mind.
His use of traditional presentation techniques augmented with
His use of traditional presentation techniques augmented with
James Thomas
Dec 03, 2019
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We had been planning our new home for 11 months and had come to the realisation that we needed professional assistance to distil all of our ideas into a successful design outcome. Having never used an Architect before, we discovered John’s Studio through a comprehensive online search. Lea Design Studio appealed to us because he checked out. It is as simple as that. I feel his multi-faceted experience has given him an understanding of the intricacies of the whole process; not just the “Architects” point of view. There is a lot more to designing a home than we anticipated but with Johns guidance
Mary Prowse
Sep 05, 2019
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Being from interstate we relied on an internet search to find the best Architect to design a major renovation of our Queensland holiday house. We found John's company through the Houzz website. He responded immediately to our inquiry and met with us on site when we visited the Gold Coast, several weeks later. We are very pleased with John's prompt attention to our project, the well resolved design outcome and his assistance in co-ordinatiing the necessary consultants to obtain building approval. We would highly recommend John and Lea Design Studio to family, friends and anyone looking for an Architect
Peter Madrers
Aug 06, 2018
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I have known John since he first joined Pacific Projects Group as principal design Architect 25 years ago. At this time, together we developed a successful architectural practice undertaking a diverse range of projects including prestige residential homes and resort projects throughout Australasia. This practice eventually transitioned into a high end property development company where John was responsible for both designing and managing other Architects in delivering award winning projects throughout Australia.
John has a rare combination of skillsets for an architect with the wonderful ability
John has a rare combination of skillsets for an architect with the wonderful ability
Chris Otley-Doe
Jul 27, 2018
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My wife Di and I commissioned John to redesign our waterfront entertaining area to incorporate a 15m lap pool, spa and BBQ pavilion on a difficult sloping site. We had a few attempts to find an Architect who would listen to the brief and interpret the style and design that we liked. We engaged John who took into full account the attributes of the home and blended it in seamlessly with the prominent north facing waterfront block where our home is located. John throughout the entire process has been proactive in not only the design, but also in co-ordinating and hastening the structural engineer
Tony Bawden
Jun 15, 2018
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From initial planning to detailed design my wife & I were delighted with John's input & suggestions on our house inn Surfers Paradise & did not hesitate in commissioning him to plan our next house at Chevron Island.
We could not be happier with our current house & although it is nearly 14 year's old many people comment on it's design & appearance & have trouble in believing it is of that age.
John's architecture is timeless .
We can highly recommend John for any architectural appointment
We could not be happier with our current house & although it is nearly 14 year's old many people comment on it's design & appearance & have trouble in believing it is of that age.
John's architecture is timeless .
We can highly recommend John for any architectural appointment
