Discover how independent architects protect your vision, safeguard your investment and ensure you get the home you truly deserve.

At Wolf Architects, we believe strongly that architects and builders must remain independent. In Australia it is illegal for both to operate under the same company, and for good reason. Combining design and construction creates a serious conflict of interest and leaves clients exposed.

When a builder controls the design, they also control products, costs and timelines. Clients may be offered limited choices or misleading drawings, and once construction starts, variations are at the builder’s mercy. While builders often promote design and build packages as cheaper or easier, these rarely deliver the quality, creativity or protection that comes with engaging an independent architect. Sadly, too many clients only discover this when it is too late.

Historically architects stayed with a project from design through to completion, ensuring quality and protecting their client’s interests. Over time this responsibility was eroded by project managers and builders, and with rising costs contract administration became optional. Many clients dropped it as a cost saving measure, but this has led to poorer outcomes and a culture where mediocre buildings are considered acceptable.

At Wolf Architects we do things differently. We bring builders on board early to keep designs feasible and budgets realistic, but we always remain independent. Our role is to safeguard your vision and act solely in your best interests. Contract administration may add around 2 to 3 per cent to construction costs, but it ensures design integrity is never lost and that you are not taken advantage of during the build.

As one of the best residential architects in Melbourne and across Australia, our commitment is to deliver limited edition, one off masterpieces that truly reflect your lifestyle. Packages may promise customisation, but real design excellence is not about quick options, it is about getting it right no matter how many attempts it takes.

In the end, independence protects you. That is why Wolf Architects will always advocate for separating the role of architect and builder.