We are SBD studio, also known as Shire Building Design, an award-winning design studio based in the Sutherland Shire, crafting modern and functional homes around Sydney. Our purpose is to enhance our clients' lifestyles through spaces that are authentic to their household and style.

Our practice

Core to our practice is collaboration, propelling each project forward with our collective thinking, and as an energetic group of forward-thinkers, a constant drive to push boundaries when crafting timeless homes lives in every moment, whilst modernity exists in our execution.

Our commitment to a seamless journey extends throughout every phase of each project, from planning and design to management and development, ensuring our processes remain flexible to unique requirements and guidance is given to our clients through any complexities.

From a small studio, home to a sole designer in 2017, now to a growing team of seven, we’ve become a place of multidisciplinary expertise, with building design and interiors as a balanced practice. Our experience ranges from town-house dwellings to luxury homes, accommodating small renovations to new custom developments and collaborating with first-time homeowners to adept developers.

As a studio our satisfaction is derived from our clients feeling like their home truly expresses their style, embodies their household, and is a result of a frictionless journey and joint practice.

our people

Jake French

Managing Director

Joshua Smith

Senior Designer

Josie Potter

Designer and Interior Designer

Katerina Koutsoullis

Graduate of Architecture

Tyler Westcott

Designer

Alexa Scotton

Draftsperson

Lucy French

Director and Administration

Core client and design values

A Sense of place Materiality Functionality Sustainbility

Communication Face-Face Meetings Accessibility

Shire Building Design has great vision and professionalism. We were so happy with the design they created for our new home renovation - it far exceeded our expectations. They were a joy to work with.

Working with Jake on designing our renovation has been a dream. He has provided us with a number of thoughtful options to choose from and has closely considered our brief and what is going to work best for our family and budget. He’s a great and prompt communicator, works efficiently and is thorough. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to anyone looking for someone down-to-earth, reliable and highly competent to work on their project.”

“Jake from Shire Design Building created an amazing design for transforming a ‘red brick terror’ from the 60’s into a coastal haven. The design has now come to fruition and we are delighted. The soaring cathedral ceilings fill the living space with an abundance of light and enhance the river views. Our home is everything we hoped for and more, thank you Jake for your careful attention to detail.”

Jake was able to achieve our ideal space, all within the confines of our budget and the very strict heritage conditions. Jake pulled together an expert team to get our project over the line and was able to accommodate any challenge that we or the council threw his way. We would highly recommend Jake, he was easy to deal with, proactive in finding solutions and made the whole process a pleasure.”