Fixed-price design, a VR walkthrough before a single wall goes up, and plans you're free to build with whoever you trust.
Maybe it’s a second bathroom you’re after, more room for the kids to spread out, or finally getting that kitchen and living space to open up the way it should.
The trouble is most extension designers lock you into their builder before you’ve even agreed on a concept. Others treat a raised Queenslander or a sloping block as a problem rather than a project. And plenty of homeowners get partway through the process with no real idea what the finished space is going to feel like, or what it’s actually going to cost.
But with us, your design is yours to use however you like. Take it to your preferred builder, or ask us to recommend someone we think will be a great fit. And our 3D virtual walkthroughs mean you’ll get to experience your new space before anything is built.
Brisbane homes come in every shape, on every kind of block, which is exactly why there’s more than one way to extend one. Here’s where we spend most of our time.
01
The most straightforward way to add real living space without changing the footprint of your block. A new bedroom, a bigger kitchen, an open plan living area that finally works for your family. We design these to sit naturally alongside your existing home, not bolted on as an afterthought.
02
When your block doesn't have room to spread and you need more than one extra room, building up makes sense. Extra bedrooms, a second living area, or a parents' retreat upstairs, all designed to work with your existing structure rather than fight against it.
03
Common across Queenslanders and homes on stumps or stilts, this makes use of the space you're already paying for underneath the house. Garages, rumpus rooms, home offices or an extra living zone, all without touching your existing footprint. It's one of the most cost-effective ways to add real square metres to a Brisbane home, and it's something our team designs regularly.
04
Not every extension needs four walls. A well-designed deck can do as much for how your home lives and looks as an internal extension, and it's perfect for making the most of Queensland’s climate. Whether that's a standalone deck off the back of the house or one that connects directly into a bigger renovation, you get a space you'll actually use most of the year.
Not sure which direction suits your block or your budget? That's exactly what your free discovery call is for.
Building design, interior design and consultant coordination, all under one roof, with your plans free to build with whoever you choose.
Independent design means no lock-in. What we design is yours to build with whoever you trust.
Agreed upfront, locked in once your brief's confirmed. No surprises down the track.
Real construction estimates at the concept stage, so your design and your budget stay in the same conversation.
Slopes, flood overlays, character-zone restrictions. The blocks other studios avoid are the ones we do our best work on.
Some studios give every client the same look. Our team is genuinely diverse, so your home is shaped around your brief, not our portfolio.
Regular face-to-face meetings mean you always know where your project's at. No surprises at the end.
Your Extension Journey
Stage 01
A free, no-obligation chat about your project. This is where we find out if we're the right fit for each other.
After measuring your site and hearing your ideas, our team collaborates to develop a design concept tailored to your brief. It’s the most involved stage, because getting this part right sets up everything that follows.
Walk through your design in true-to-life detail, every measurement accounted for, before you commit to the next step. It’s the closest thing to standing in your finished home before it exists.
Fully detailed working drawings, the level of documentation needed for building approval, plus optional coordination with consultants on your behalf, so everything comes together without you having to chase anyone.
Finishes, materials and styling refined alongside your building design, so the whole home comes together as one considered result.
Your plans are yours. We can refer trusted builders, or hand everything straight to the builder you’ve already chosen.
Featured Project
A tired old Queenslander transformed into a light-filled, modern family home. We preserved the character of this Windsor home with the original verandah while giving it a new facade facelift and completely reimagining the living spaces to open up the spectacular city views.
Some kind words
Knowledgeable and efficient We engaged CU Design for knock down rebuild drawings, after seeing some of their recent work on houses in our area. We weren’t disappointed! From the moment of enquiry, all the staff we liaised with were friendly, approachable and stepped us through the process. We found CU’s process from liaising to drawings to be logical and easy to follow (as people with no building background). The designers Melissa and Sam were receptive to our brief, and were great at checking in with us to make sure we were progressing in the creative direction we envisioned. I would highly recommend CU design if you are after building designers who are practical, professional and efficient. Thank you CU!
We’ve had a multi-phase design developed with CU Design, including an internal granny flat conversion, to help us plan renovations over the next 2-5 years and they were amazing to work with. First phase has now been completed with one of their recommended builders and can’t wait to move onto the next one.
I can not recommend Melissa and her team highly enough. If I could leave a six star review I would. I recently had the pleasure of working with Concepts Unlimited on a renovation and interior design project, and the results exceeded my expectations. From the initial consultation to the final touches, the team demonstrated a strong understanding of both form and function, blending aesthetics with practicality.
Our business, Vanstyn Constructions, has been working along side Concepts for many years now. They produce quality drawings for us builders to work off. I have sat in on many meetings with clients at the design stage, which is a key element, and as they walk through with their 3d modelling on screen. I always recommend Concepts as a designer.
FAQs
In most cases, yes. Documentation and council approvals can be handled on your behalf as part of our service, so you’re not left chasing paperwork.
In most cases, yes. Documentation and council approvals can be handled on your behalf as part of our service, so you’re not left chasing paperwork.
Both prepare design drawings for construction, but the training, licensing and fee structure differ.
A registered architect holds a five-year degree and is registered with the Board of Architects of Queensland.
As building designers, we’re licensed under Queensland’s building design framework specifically for residential-scale work. For most residential projects in Brisbane (new homes, extensions, Queenslander renovations, raise-and-builds, and commercial fit-outs), a building designer has the qualifications, experience and licensing to do exactly what you need, typically at a lower fee than a registered architect.
Fixed price, agreed upfront, so there are no surprises once your brief is confirmed.
Yes. Your plans are yours to build with whoever you choose.
No problem. We can match you with a trusted builder suited to your project and budget.
Yes, council approvals and documentation can be handled on your behalf. This is an optional service for clients who’d prefer to streamline the process rather than manage it themselves.
A detailed, room-by-room experience of your design, so you know what you’re building before construction starts.
Book a free discovery call and find out what your block, your budget and your vision can actually become.
