Vincent Rizzo
★★★★★
a month ago
Working with Vos Architecture + Design on our home renovation was an outstanding experience.
Our Brighton home, a neglected 1970s property, required significant maintenance and a complete overhaul … More in both functionality and style. We needed an expert to guide us through this complex renovation, and we found that expertise in our architect, John Vos.
John’s blend of skills as an architect, interior designer, project manager and his knowledge of engineering and construction was invaluable. His extensive experience with high-end multi-million dollar homes, apartments, and small renovations provided him with a unique ability to maximise value from the design, construction, and material selection.
John provided clear and structured guidance from the start, transforming a potentially stressful process into a smooth and manageable one. His deep knowledge of modern home renovation techniques was evident in every step, from the initial design phase, builder selection and management, construction oversight to the final touches. John’s expertise helped us update our home into a stylish, contemporary space, incorporating the latest design trends with our personal requirements.
A major highlight of working with John was his ability to identify cost-saving solutions without compromising on quality. By selecting high-quality, budget-friendly materials, he ensured that we received excellent value for our investment.
John's attention to detail was impressive. Every aspect of the renovation was meticulously planned and documented, which prevented surprises during construction and provided us with peace of mind.
The project included a complete demolition and re-planning of the kitchen and bathroom areas. John designed new joinery and selected new fittings and finishes throughout the house, including tap-ware, sanitary-ware, floorboards, carpet, and lighting. He also integrated a new feature stair and concealed air conditioning, significantly enhancing both the functionality and aesthetics of our home.
John excelled in effective communication with ourselves, our builder and suppliers to keep the project on track and minimise delays. His connections to high-quality suppliers ensured that we received top-notch materials and services, which elevated the quality of the renovation. John skillfully guided my wife and I through complex design and build decisions, ensuring that both our visions were respected and integrated.
One of John's key strengths was knowing when to assert his professional opinion. He was firm with us and the builder when necessary, ensuring that project objectives were met even if it wasn't what we or the builder initially wanted to hear.
Thanks to John's project management skills, the renovation was completed in 9 months, well ahead of the 12-month timeline estimated by our contacts. Remarkably, it could have been finished in 6 months if not for some changes we requested during the process.
John's transparency and communication kept us informed about progress and issues, allowing us to make timely, informed decisions. His accurate estimates and budget management ensured there were minimal financial surprises, and unexpected challenges were efficiently handled.
Our experience working with John on our Brighton home was highly positive. His blend of guidance, expertise, cost-saving strategies, attention to detail, effective coordination, reliable supplier connections, and strong advocacy made our renovation a success.
Initially, we considered managing the project ourselves due to our connections and experience, but John's involvement proved invaluable in saving us time and money. We now understand the immense value an architect brings to such projects and would highly recommend John for any future projects.