Robert Harwood Architects

About

Deceptively simple, refined architecture that speaks of its location and is dramatic in character, spanning a broad range of scales and typologies, from private houses and beyond.

Whether at the scale of an apartment building, a private house, a table or a suit jacket, everything is traceable back to a consistent set of preoccupations with mass, volume, surface, proportion, junction, geometry, repetition, light and ritual.

A sense of engaging with the essence of a location and its space through everything the eye sees or the hand touches is a defining aspect of Harwood’s work. His method is to approach buildings and design commissions in precisely the same manner, on the basis that ‘it’s all architecture’. It's all connected.

In this way, his work is a vehicle for much broader ideas about how we live, how we would like to live and what we truly value.

We look to create timeless, contemporary homes with refined forms, exterior materials and finishes that resonate with their setting.
Our residential works have included additions and alterations to heritage homes, owner-occupier apartment buildings, waterfront properties and country / coastal retreats.

Current private residential projects are active in the following areas:

Regional Victoria and NSW
Sydney Eastern and Lower North Shore
Melbourne Bayside and Eastern Suburbs
Surf Coast and Mornington Peninsula

Robert Harwood Architects has completed medium to large scale commercial and residential developments in Sydney, Melbourne and the UK.

We provide strategic analysis and solutions to the developer and we establish consultant teams, as well as design and documentation to achieve outstanding commercial, aesthetic and environmental solutions.

We also offer expertise in creating business or retail environments, from concept design through to on-site construction.
Our portfolio includes retail boutiques, restaurants and cafes, medical suites and corporate office interiors.

Architectural Approach

Testimonials

"Being naive in the role that an architect would play in the redesign of my home, Robert Harwood's design has been visionary. His ability to communicate an understanding of current home aesthetics which include functions, I would not be familiar with has left me gobsmacked. I completely endorse him and his company."

John Kalazich | Client

"I have worked with Robert Harwood Architects on several projects (the most recent being alterations to an apartment in a heritage building in Sydney) and have found his work to be of the highest quality in terms of design and respect for heritage buildings with a common-sense approach overlaid with good design flair. I would be happy to recommend his services to others."

John Oultram | Heritage Consultant

"I have had the pleasure of working with Robert Harwood Architects on commercial projects in Sydney over the past couple of years and have found them great to deal with. Their fee structure offered good value for the works undertaken and they were able to adapt and provide various options that resolved both site issues & client needs.

They were able to set up 3D images and "fly-through" presentations which really helped the clients to understand how the spaces that we were building for them would look as a finished project. I have no hesitation in recommending Harwood Architects to any prospective clients."

Anthony Waterhouse - Builder

"I have worked alongside Robert Harwood on a number of projects as a Master Builder, I have found Robert's designs to be innovative yet practical. He produces designs that are both aesthetically pleasing and extremely functional to his clients’ needs."

Jonathan Guscott | Builder

"When we met Rob we felt very confident that he would listen to what we wanted and would not try to force his vision onto us. Having worked with a few architects in the past, I know this can happen very easily and before you know it you're looking at plans you don't understand and can't visualise. Rob really listened to us and was very patient with us as well, as we moved through the planning process. He was very clear that the time to "change your mind" was at the planning stage. It is cheap to move a wall when it is still on paper! This thorough approach to planning meant that once the project moved to the building stage there were no major changes.

I was dreading the build (again all those nightmare stories you hear from friends) but it really was a very enjoyable experience. Rob and the builder Tony had a great working relationship and solved all the inevitable problems of working on an old house with minimum fuss and stress. Near enough was never good enough for Rob and I really appreciated all the care and attention to detail he put into the job. The time is taken to find not just the best solution, but the most beautiful, best solution really shows in the finished house. The thorough planning and cost prior to the build paid off, with it finishing on time and on budget. Although I was obviously happy to move into my beautiful new house, I actually missed the building process once it was over. Something I never thought I'd say!

We have been in the house for 2 years now and absolutely love it. We are a busy family with three boys and one of my goals was to use every room in the house and not have dead space used only on special occasions. We absolutely achieved that goal and the house, whilst being truly beautiful, functions perfectly for us as a family."

Averil McDowell | Client

"We interviewed several architects before deciding to work with Robert Harwood. Our entire experience from the start has reassured us that we have made the right choice - Robert has not only ticked all the boxes for us from an architectural and design standpoint (not to mention outstanding knowledge of the technical aspects of the building) but he was always accessible via email/phone/SMS - even Skype & Facetime when it was just too busy to meet face to face. He always made time and is extremely patient! The communication has been excellent with timely responses and everything was explained clearly when we needed to know more. Their reasonable rates and payment structure were a bonus too. We are about to enter the construction tender and building process with them and look forward to the finished product. We would be happy to recommend Robert to anyone looking for an architect. Rest assured you'll be in great hands!"

Charmaine + Gavin Van Rooyen | Client

"Robert designed a brilliant renovation for our Edwardian home in North Melbourne and it became a home we loved to live, work and entertain in for 15 great years. Now we’ve moved out to the Macedon Ranges in Victoria, where our landscape is all about space and sky. We’ve been on paper with Robert again for the past year and now have another beautiful design to progress. His ability to listen and hear what’s important to you and what you want a home to be is greatly appreciated – after all, you’re the ones who’ll be living there. There are many different challenges this time around – a home that will be off-grid completely and require minimal heating and cooling requires a great deal of additional thinking and planning. He effortlessly guides us through all parts of the process and he is collaborative and consultative. As with our earlier working relationship, we’re happy that Robert just ‘gets us’ and what we want to achieve. This time we’re planning our forever home and we know we’re in safe hands."

- Kim Bear | Client

"I first contacted Robert Harwood after my husband and I decided it was time to renovate our home. Upon meeting with Robert we found him to be very professional and articulate. Robert was very attentive and probing with his questions so much so, that, by the end of our meeting he had drawn on paper a rough sketch of the overall design. These became our concept drawings which inspired and excited us to move forward.

Robert was great to deal with. I have enjoyed this journey and thank him personally for helping me, especially, fulfill this dream of mine. I would not hesitate in recommending Robert."

Anita + Spiro Anemogiannis | Client