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We can help you bring your dreams to life. Here’s how…

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For one, we’re experts in the inner-west…

We’ve lived and worked in the inner-west of Sydney for 20 years. We’re passionate about the area and love helping our clients transform their houses into practical and delightful homes; allowing the existing houses of inner-west enjoy the best of modern living! We’re experienced with the local housing stock and we’re on a first-name basis with the planners at Inner West Council, so we know how to satisfy their planning and building permit requirements quickly and efficiently.

We’ve got practical experience…

Meet Michael

Architect, RAIA (61464), MA Arch, BA (Hons) 3D design, Graduate Diploma (Architectural Science), B Design Architecture

Michael started his career in the construction industry as a plumber and has always had a flair for design and a passion for making things. Working on sites in Australia and the UK, Michael would spend his lunch breaks welding sculptures from the scrap metal and pipes he found lying around. His curious mind then led him to study art and while he loved the creative side of the art world, he missed the practical side of the construction industry. Michael then turned his attention to high-end kitchen and bathroom design, honing his experience and know-how by designing the two most complicated areas of the home for discerning clients. While sharing a space with an architect and getting an insight into life behind the drawing board, he realised architecture combines both his passion for design and creativity and his love of practical solutions to challenges. The life-long learner decided to hit the books once again to undertake the degrees required to become a registered architect. While he came to architecture late in his career, Michael’s breadth and depth of experience in the design and construction industries makes him an invaluable asset in residential architecture; the ability to talk the talk and walk the walk. Michael’s practical background and enduring love of being on site and working collaboratively with builders to achieve the best results takes Fluid Studio’s projects to the next level.

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 A proven track record…

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Bathroom Design Finalist

HIA CSR NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2015
(In collaboration with Sydney Bathrooms)

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Small Bathroom Up To 8sqm (Main) Finalist

HIA CSR NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2015
(In collaboration with Sydney Bathrooms)

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Small Bathroom Up To 8sqm (Ensuite) Finalist

HIA CSR NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2015
(In collaboration with Sydney Bathrooms)

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Australian Bathroom Designer Of The Year Finalist

HIA CSR NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2007

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Large Bathroom Project Of The Year Finalist

HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2007

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Most Innovative Use Of Materials In A Bathroom Finalist

HIA Laminex NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2007

 
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Bathroom Designer Of The Year Finalist

HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2007

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Bathroom Designer Of The Year Winner

HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2006-2007

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Best Apartment Bathroom Of The Year Winner

HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2006-2007

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Best Modern Bathroom Of The Year

HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen and Bathroom Awards 2006-2007

 
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Plus, we’ve developed a recipe for renovation success…

From the design phase through to construction, we’ve developed a formula for squeezing every last drop of potential from your project and budget. We’ll start by assessing your site and existing structures to determine the best way to highlight and expand on your home’s strengths while minimising its weaknesses. Our collaborative approach means your new home will be a unique expression of you and your life story. We will ignite your creativity and help you see the potential within (and possibly outside) your four walls; possibilities you never would have imagined will come to light. With access to high-end finishes and fixtures, we’ll recommend the products and materials that will stand the test of time, looking just as fabulous now as they will in 30 years. Our job doesn’t end there. We’ll spend hours on site during construction, working with the builders to ensure a high-quality build and attention to detail. Our experience in the construction industry and team of trusted professionals means we’ll ensure you get exceptional value for money and a level of quality rarely seen. Your home will be a joy to return to at the end of the day; the perfect pad to enjoy the rich lifestyle the inner-west has to offer. Whether your favourite pastimes are entertaining friends and family, curling up with a classic novel and escaping to fantasy land, we’ll create the perfect, tailored spaces for you to enjoy.

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“We have admired Michael and Fluid Studio’s creativity for more than 10 years and have been fortunate enough to work with them on several projects over the last 5 years. It’s always a highlight to work on such exciting designs with the confidence Fluid Studio can deliver the support required.

Michael’s construction knowledge provides practical methods and on-site solutions to construct and manage multiple projects. With a like-minded focus on an award-winning level of execution, Fluid Studio has provided our team with projects that challenge and motivate to achieve outstanding spaces.”

— Ben N

Get the process started…

Is now finally the time? You’ve been thinking about renovating for years and now it’s time to get the ball rolling and actually make it happen. Or, perhaps you’re ready to downsize and make the move to the inner-west, but you’re not sure where to start: should you buy a home that’s already been renovated (and pay a premium for something that’s not quite right) or find an unpolished gem and put your own stamp on it; creating your dream home.

Well, no matter where you’re at, we can help. Plus, it’s easy to get started:

Step 1: Say Hello!

Pick up the phone or fill out our contact form and get the conversation started. We know contacting an architect can feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be scary. We can guide you no matter where you are in the process.

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Step 2: Let’s meet!

We’re going to be building something special together and, as such, it’s important we trust each other and have a good working relationship. That’s why we like to get to know you over a coffee or onsite so we can see your bricks and mortar. This initial meeting gives us a chance to get to know each other and make sure we’re a good fit.

To prepare for our chat, here’s what we need to know:

  • Your property address: we can fly there in Google Maps to get a better understanding of your home and the surrounding neighbourhood. If you don’t have a property yet, no problem, we can still help. We can discuss your general plan and we may be able to help with our pre-purchase design appraisal when you do find something.

  • What you’re hoping to achieve: it’s a-okay if you’re not settled on this yet, but any information you can give us will help us get a feel for what you’re after and whether we’ll be able to help. A key step later in the process is developing your brief.

  • Where you’re at in the process: some people come armed with numerous sketches and a Pinterest board bursting with ideas they’ve been preparing for years, others bought a property yesterday and need to renovate pronto before they can move in. Wherever you’re at in the process, we can help.

  • The b-word: have you got an idea of how much you can afford to spend and you’re hoping to see what you can achieve for your budget? Maybe you’re just not sure where to start and how to work out what to spend? We can help firm up the numbers so you know what is realistic for your budget.

  • Thoughts on a builder: some people already have a builder in mind; a friend of a friend who did a great job. If so, great! We’re happy to help you work with a builder you already trust. If not, we can help you find a builder through a competitive tendering process using builders we know and trust or those that come highly recommended from other professionals.

  • Site photos: if you have photos of your property you can share with us, that will help speed up the conversation because, as they say, a picture says a thousand words!

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Step 3: Keep an eye out for our welcome kit!

Working together means you join our community, enabling you to tap into our local expertise, hand-picked builders, trades and other experts. If we think we can help you following our meeting and you’re keen to join the Fluid family, we’ll provide a proposal for our services and our welcome kit. Your welcome kit contains everything you ever wanted to know about us (and then some), an outline of our proposed services and how we can help you, your guide to working with an architect plus some more little surprises.

Our Packages…

We work with a range of different clients who all have unique needs so, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, we’ve tailored our packages to suit a variety of circumstances. With clear, upfront fee structure tailored to your project and needs, there’s no room for surprises…

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Perfect for the person who needs an expert design service but is comfortable to take charge during the construction and project management phase. This (very) good package offers a custom design filled with natural light and breezes, all of the essential drawings you need for council approval and to get your home built, insight to possible materials and finishes to suit your project, plus an introduction to our experienced and professional building and trade contacts. From there you can grab your project by the horns and make it your own; you’ve got this.

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Naturally with this package you’ll enjoy all of the benefits of the good package, but we’ve got a little extra in store for you. You’ll enjoy our expert material, finishes and product selection to help you achieve the look and feel you want in your home without the stress. Apart from an incredible, one-of-a-kind design, we’ll also help you with the essential onsite project management during construction. This ensures everything you visualised in the design is seen through to construction and, thanks to our cost-saving strategies during construction you’ll achieve it all on budget and on time. We’ll assist you to choose a builder and other consultants required to achieve the perfect home; the process just got better.

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Our ultimate package includes everything in the good and better packages, plus some icing on the cake to ensure it’s the absolute best. You’ll be relaxing in your new home sooner thanks to our fast-tracked process. But that doesn’t mean you’re rushing into things! To make sure you understand every aspect of the project before a brick is laid, you’ll also receive photorealistic renders and detailed, 3D-printed presentation models. Plus, you’ll be able to experience your home in a virtual reality walkthrough to ensure every detail is just right. We’ll hand-select the best materials and finishes and test them for durability and quality while our bespoke specification will ensure everything is constructed as designed with longevity in mind. We’ll help you find the best builder and ensure they’re competitively priced by conducting a builder and trade tender analysis as well as helping you navigate the building contract. Combined with full independent costings at checkpoints throughout the design process, you won’t need to worry about budget shock. You won’t have to worry about a thing onsite, either, with our full project management and contract administration services; you’re in the best hands.

Got your eye on a new home and need to know what’s possible?

Our pre-purchase design appraisal will give you the confidence and professional advice you need to make the right decision. We know what’s possible in the Inner West Council, so show us the property you’re thinking and we’ll tell you whether it could be your new dream home.

Here’s what you get:

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Site analysis

We’ll take to the potential property with a magnifying glass to determine what’s possible, hunting out the assets and flagging any drawbacks. The site analysis will show the potential of the site to fulfil your needs, access to natural light and breezes, highlight any potential noise issues and unearth any restrictions like easements or covenants which may hinder your plans.

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Concept design

Consider this a back of the napkin plan of what’s possible on your site. Nothing will be set in stone, but the concept plan will reveal whether it’s really possible to fit that extra bedroom on the site without sacrificing the backyard. It will also ensure you maximise access to natural light, harness cooling breezes, prevent overlooking from the neighbours and mitigate any potential noise issues; all the things that make a house a home.

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Cost guide

All of this is sounding exciting, but there’s no use getting carried away if you can’t afford it, right? That’s why we’ll also provide a cost guide, to give you a realistic expectation of what it will cost to achieve this dream renovation. You might find dreams really can come true (on budget) with a bit of expert advice and the necessary due diligence!

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Have a stickybeak inside one of our projects…

Bold and bright thinking transforms this house into a home for a creative client in Birchgrove.

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“Michael Manzi understood our requirements, and developed a vision for our property that transformed the space entirely. 10 years later we are still enjoying the space, and receiving complements on it. Michael is very creative, and his team were all strong craftsmen. We have now engaged him to develop our next residence.”

— Michael L

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Ready to work with Fluid Studio?

We’re excited to help you make your dream home to reality. It’s easy to get started, all you have to do is book an appointment to speak with us!