Plico Design Studio

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Port Melbourne, VIC
Plico Design Studio

Plico Design Studio is an Architecture, Interior Design and Heritage Research company based in Port Melbourne, Australia.

Architecture & Heritage practice adapting places and contexts that respond to contemporary use, in projects across Australia

The Commons, 80 Market Street, South Melbourne, Victoria, 3205, Australia We specialise in adapting historical places and contexts to create spaces which respond to contemporary use. As a member of Australian Architects Declare, an international network of architects committed to addressing climate and biodiversity emergency, we aim to operate under the values of responsibility and openness, pursuing innovation from conception to delivery of each project. We look for creative solutions to minimise our projects’ carbon footprint whilst responding to clients’ needs. We recognise heritage as an enabler of sustainability, and contribute to the circular economy in salvaging materials for reuse and repurposing these in our works. Our versatility and flexibility are shown in our variety of key projects, which include adaptive reuse, contemporary design, commercial, public and residential projects. You’ll find us at Zoos Victoria, Heritage Sites, Solar Farms, veterinarian and medical rooms, educational institutions, churches, gyms, and in suburban and regional homes across Victoria and Tasmania. We collaborate with other creative disciplines depending on the requirements for each project, including specialist designers for Interpretation, Interiors, Landscape and other artists. We travel far and wide to bring inspiration and apply knowledge from around the world directly to our projects.

22/10/2026

We’re pleased to present our submission of our project Buchan Reserve Guide Rooms for the Design Awards 2026. Whilst we weren’t the winners, it’s rewarding to see this important community facility now complete and supporting the volunteer guides who play such an important role in caring for and sharing this extraordinary landscape.

The project began following the devastating 2020 East Gippsland bushfires, which destroyed much of the Reserve’s native landscape and several key buildings. Working closely with our clients, we designed replacement facilities that are resilient, functional and respectful of this remarkable setting.

Designed to achieve a BAL-29 bushfire rating, the project also needed a design that protects against devastating floods, such as those in 2024. In response, the building was redesigned and raised by one metre to improve resilience against future floods.

Located within a heritage-listed reserve, the architecture takes a contemporary approach to a traditional building form, using robust materials and a restrained palette inspired by the Australian bush.

Clients - &
Architects/Photography -
Project Managers -
Certifiers -
Contractors -

16/10/2026

We’re pleased to be working with Parks Victoria on the reconstruction of the Workshop and Studio at William Ricketts Sanctuary -which was destroyed by storm in 2021.

Set within the forest of the Dandenong Ranges, the Workshop and Studio is part of a place with a deep cultural and artistic significance.

Our role is to help reinstate what was destroyed with care: carefully documented, respectful of its setting, and to its original configuration using salvaged materials where possible.

We’re now moving through the early design stages, working closely with , Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and our consultant team.

It’s a privilege to contribute to a place that is significant to so many.

13/10/2026

Presenting more gorgeous completion photos of our residential extension and internal refurbishment project, recently taken at Lawanna Drive, Templestowe.

Set on a steep site, this multi-level mid-century modern residence presented a unique design challenge. Working closely with our clients, we repurposed an underutilised garage into a functional home business space, added a master bedroom extension above, and updated the interiors with warm, natural materials throughout. A new entry and garden space complete the design, softening the home into its surrounding bush context.

Architects:
Builders:
Engineers: Furr Consulting
Certifiers:
Photographer:

09/10/2026

We’re thrilled to share more completion photos of our residential extension and internal refurbishment project at Lawanna Drive, Templestowe by photographer , focusing on our internal refurbishment.

Set on a steep site, this multi-level mid-century modern residence presented a unique design challenge. Working closely with our clients, we repurposed an underutilised garage into a functional home business space, added a master bedroom extension above, and updated the interiors with warm, natural materials throughout. A new entry and garden space complete the design, softening the home into its surrounding bush context.

Architects:
Builders:
Engineers: Furr Consulting
Certifiers:
Photographer:

08/10/2026

We’re thrilled to share completion photos of our residential extension and internal refurbishment project at Lawanna Drive, Templestowe by photographer .

Set on a steep site, this multi-level mid-century modern residence presented a unique design challenge. Working closely with our clients, we repurposed an underutilised garage into a functional home business space, added a master bedroom extension above, and updated the interiors with warm, natural materials throughout. A new entry and garden space complete the design, softening the home into its surrounding bush context.

Architects:
Builders:
Engineers: Furr Consulting
Certifiers:
Photographer:

16/09/2026

We are excited to announce a new project, Sunnyside Wool Scour, in Geelong. The site and its buildings are of historical, technological and social importance to Victoria, with the exportation of wool being the economic backbone of our 19th century economy, and Geelong known as the ‘wool centre of the world’.

We are pleased to be working with Bay Building Group to repair fire damage on this former wool processing site. Fire has damaged part of the structure, resulting in the collapse of both roof and flooring areas in places. Our design response balances respect for the site's heritage significance with upgrades to meet current building compliance requirements, bringing the site into the 21st century.

The project holds personal as well as professional interest for as the Director, Angus Wallace's, late father started as a wool classer and became an influential figure in the Australian wool industry, being on the team responsible for bringing Tasmanian wool to Europe and its leading contemporary retailers across France, Germany and the UK, and his mother coming from one of Tasmania's oldest sheep farming families, Glenelg Estate, that supply to the global Woolmark Company today.

We look forward to sharing further details as the project advances.

09/09/2026

Country homes are a frequent topic of enquiry amongst interested clients, so we’re excited to repost updated photos of our residential project in Buln Buln, Gippsland. Belmont is an early twentieth century country home built between 1901-1903 for the well known Ballantyne and Count Von Horn Families.

We were engaged to undertake extensive restoration of the original house, which was dilapated. Restoration was substantial, with synthetic upgrades to the living conditions to respect heritage whilst adapting to 21st century living.

It was exciting to see how all the parts of this project came together. In order to maintain the historic homestead’s authenticity as well as prioritising sustainability, we salvaged building materials for reuse and repurposed these in the works.

⚪️ Architect - Angus Wallace and Micho Elakovic Fontiveros
⚪️ Heritage Research - Yasmine Wallace, PhD
⚪️ Builder -

02/09/2026

We are pleased to share that Building Approval has been granted from Maribyrnong City Council for our proposed works at 109-111 Nicholson St in Footscray.

We previously worked on the Former Maples Furniture Store in Footscray several years ago and we are back again to assist with refurbishment and upgrades to this building to ensure compliance measures.

Maples, was a prominent furniture retailer operating from multiple sites in the 19th C. The Footscray store was converted to offices in the 1980s, and it now houses retail, the gym – which we also worked on previously, and offices.

Works are due to start imminently.

28/08/2026

From outdated office block to state-of-the-art medical clinic.

Repurposing spaces is what we do best—whether it's breathing new life into heritage landmarks or converting commercial offices into high-performance facilities.

A quick look at our latest project with Port Melbourne Medical Centre:

⚪️ The Site: 800sqm former office space
⚪️ The Plan: A complete spatial redesign focused on accessibility, compliance, and client flow
⚪️ The Hero Features: A striking entry roof structure + a central glass lift with a wrap-around staircase

Final results coming very soon!

Architects –
Engineers - Maurice Farugia and Associates
Certifier - Approval Systems
Builders – .projects & Vern Built
Clients - Port Melbourne Medical Clinic

20/08/2026

We are excited to announce we’ve received our Planning Permit, for our Adaptive Reuse commission in Derrinallum, Western Victoria. The former Presbyterian/Uniting Church will be restored and converted into a gallery space with minimal intervention, to protect the built and social heritage of this former place of worship.

The adjacent timber framed Church Hall will be adapted into a residence for the owner to reside. This will include upgrades to insulation, glazing and electrical to improve sustainable performance. We’ve enjoyed designing spaces for the owner’s intrepid cats, and can’t wait to show you in further posts.

Multiple repurposed elements have been sourced for integration into the project to minimise reliance on new materials, and to prioritise authenticity and again sustainability. We are working closely with our client to ensure there is minimal impact on the significance of heritage site and streetscape, whilst creating an efficient and comfortable abode for them to enjoy.

Address

Port Melbourne, VIC

Website

http://www.plicodesignstudio.com/

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