aardvarc

About

About - hero image

The Aardvarc Approach

At Aardvarc, we’re driven by a love of nature and an appreciation for practical and personal design. Whether applied to residential, multi-residential, commercial or retail projects, we approach design using novel ideas, and both new and used materials, in order to produce environmentally conscious and meaningful architecture.  We respect our Clients’ most valuable resources – time and money, and seek to preserve these finite commodities.  Instead of design for design’s sake, we believe that the best design is shaped through collaboration between everyone involved, all working towards a common goal.

Services

We provide a range of services from planning to completion of a project. These include design and documentation, development applications, construction, on-site consultation services, in-house consultation services and in-house seminars.

People

  • Mick Hellen

    Mick Hellen

    Mick Hellen is an Architect and Registered Builder in Brisbane, Queensland. After completing trade apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery, Mick worked in commercial, industrial and residential construction throughout South-East Qld, NSW and the USA. Click here for more info

  • Ashley Wood

    Ashley Wood

    Graduate Architect. Click here for more info

  • Angelina Deck

    Angelina Deck

    Graduate Architect. Click here for more info

  • Jade Loo

    Jade Loo

    Graduate Architect. Click here for more info

Friends

  • Archilovers
  • Green Magazine
  • Sanctuary Magazine
  • World Architects
  • Sea Breeze
  • BOM
  • Surfing Life
  • Fish About

Projects

Projects - hero image
  • Renovations

  • New Homes

  • Furniture & Details

  • Pools and Landscaping

  • Drawing Board

  • Commercial & Multi-Residential

Why Choose Us?

Why choose us? - hero image

Testimonials

 

“The house is great. We spent a fortnight there over Xmas/New Year with our kids and various friends coming and going. So we settled into it then and have spent most weekends since getting things ready for rentals (at a suitably sedate pace of course).

“One of our friend’s teenage daughters made a comment after a few days there (without any seeding from us) that it was just like camping, so you certainly got the feel right!

David |  Lot 86

 

“Thank you very much to you and your staff for making sure everything went smoothly for us during the build and making sure everything is perfect. We love the new kitchen and we are using the deck every day, which is great.

Kathy | East Brisbane

 

“This was such a new idea to me; I didn’t know anyone at the time that had ever used an architect, so I was truly traveling blind. I did my research, and chose Mick Hellen at Aardvarc because (A)  he was well known in the AIA (B) a winner (C) a bit hippy but likes fishing  (D) evidently good at making nice QLD  style homes (E) also builds.  I was pleased with the experience, Mick and his team through the whole experience have been helpful, prompt, patient and accommodating.  I also wanted someone who could give my little bro (the builder) some guidance or advice if required. He could also help both me, and my brother, learn about the whole process – design, development approval, building approval, energy efficiency assessment, construction contract review and selection, etc.  I was reserved somewhat in my approach to the whole building process as I had heard SOOO many horror stories, or been advised by so many people of how difficult and frustrating the process is. So far – all good!”

Esther | Switch

Awards

2017

Sustainable House Day Build It Local Design Competition
• First Prize – Professional Category.

2015

The Triffid
 Beatrice Hutton Award for Commercial Architecture – AIA Queensland Architecture Awards.

Living Room
 Brisbane Regional Commendation Residential Architecture (Alterations & Additions) – AIA  Queensland Architecture Awards.

Sustainable Housing for Life Design Award
 Finalist – Professional Category.

2014 

Thorn
• House of the Year – Darling Downs/West Moreton Regional Architecture Awards.
 Regional Commendation  – Darling Downs/West Moreton Regional Architecture Awards.

Living Room
• Finalist Landscape Design – BPN Sustainability Awards.
 Best Domestic Project Award  – Master Concreters Association of QLD Excellence in Industry Award.

2013

Trellis House
• Brisbane Regional Commendation, Sustainable Architecture – AIA Queensland Architecture Awards.
 Brisbane Regional Commendation, Small Project Architecture – AIA Queensland Architecture Awards.

Thorn
• Gold Award for Excellence – Ipswich City Council Design Heritage Environment.

2012

HIA (Housing Industry Association)
• Renovation/Addition Project Up to $300k Finalist

2009

Green House
• Queensland State Regional Commendation, Small Project Architecture – AIA Queensland Architecture Awards.
 Brisbane Regional Commendation, Small Project Architecture – AIA Queensland Architecture Awards.

2007

Sea Breeze, 1770
• Central Queensland Regional Building of the Year, Central Queensland Region RAIA Awards.
 Central Queensland Regional Commendation, Central Queensland Region RAIA Awards.

2001

HIA Queensland Housing Awards (with Arcstyle)
• Most Innovative Use of Steel in Housing (Renovations & Additions).

HIA South East Queensland Housing Awards (with Arcstyle)
• Winner – Renovations and Additions up to $160k.

2000

Queensland Government Smart Housing Awards (with Arcstyle)
• Certificate of Recognition for Residential.

Recognition

RAIA 2007 2007 RAIA Central Queensland Regional Building of the Year and Sustainability Award winner.

“It has a beautifully judged elegance achieved without any ostentation. The subtle greens of the lightweight cladding tone with the translucent panels recede into the shadows of the gnarled Bloodwoods, Xanthorrhoea and Livingstonias, leaving only the tracery of the fine timber battened construction on show. The stepping longitudinal section of this project is masterful in directing view, inducing ventilation and choreographing lifestyle. Handrails, roof pitches, floor levels and framing details have a rightness that can only come from a love of nature, a mastery of construction methods and an absolute commitment to architectural quality.”
RAIA Judge 2007 Peter Skinner Head of Architecture, University of Qld

 

Victoria’s 2010 Design Festival – State of Design – Scale vs. Status competition

The competition required a design with 1:50 model and plans to demonstrate how a respectable size home for a given situation can have thermal and energy efficiency and sustainable material selection.

Publications

  • •  Sanctuary Magazine (June, 2014) – “Ipswich Infill”
  • •  House & Garden (November, 2014) – Top 50 Rooms – “Eau Naturale”
  • •  Q-weekend (November, 2014) – “The player: John Collins and the Triffid  has his finger on the pulse”
  • •  Brisbane News (August, 2014) – “Backyard Bliss”
  • •  GREEN Magazine (November-December, 2013) Issue 34 – “Alfresco!”
  • •  GREEN Magazine (September-October, 2013) Issue 33 – “Trellised”
  • •  Architectural Digest China (May, 2012)
  • •  B-mag (August, 2012) – “Inside Out”
  • •  Sanctuary: Modern Green Homes (March 2012) Issue 20 – “Inside and Out”
  • •  House & Garden (Nov, 2009) – Top 50 Rooms : “Natural Instinct”
  • •  Daily Telegraph (August, 2009) – “Jen dives into new job”
  • •  House & Garden (Nov, 2007) -Top 50 Rooms
  • •  Bligh Tanner News (Autumn, 2007)

 

Contact Us

Contact Us - hero image

Contact Us

Mick Hellen
Aardvarc
Level 1, 199a Boundary Street
WEST END QLD 4101

Ph: 07 3844 4009

mick@aardvarc.com.au

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