cristina gomes architecture and design

18/08/2026

FROM THIS → TO THAT | DH Apartment - Reworking the layout

From the original apartment, much in need of an upgrade, to the completed project there is s great deal of knowledge in between.

This apartment had only around 60 sqm and a striking view of the Opera House. It still had an enclosed kitchen while the living and dining areas were trying to share the remaining space.

While reworking the floor plan, we decided that the new opennend kitchen was a very generous space that could incorporate the dining area. By doing this, we freed the entire front of the apartment for a fantastic living room.

On the right wall, bespoke joinery incorporates the TV, entertainment and much-needed additional storage.

In smaller spaces like this, a clever layout is everything.
This small move has completely changed the feel of the living room which was also opened to the view with the addition of a balcony.

There are a lot more clever ideas in this project and we will share them in more detail in future posts.

P.S: for the younger generation, the silver box in the first image is actually a TV [yes, I am that old].

13/08/2026

It’s kinda chic to...

Choose comfort over trends
Walk barefoot at home
Have family photos on the walls
Know your neighbors’ names
Have a bath with a view

And design a home that feels like yours

What does chic mean to you?

10/08/2026

Why do some rooms feel bigger than they really are?
It isn’t always about adding more square metres.

The way we perceive space can be influenced by surprisingly small architectural decisions : where a wall ends, where a window is positioned, how far our eyes can travel, and how clearly a room’s boundaries are defined.

In this reel, I use a simple sketch to explain one of the principles behind this: how our brains perceive shapes and boundaries and why removing a corner with glazing can make a room feel more open and generous.

The room hasn’t changed. Your perception has.

I explore this idea further in my new article, One of Architecture’s Favourite Optical Illusions: Why Architects Love Corner Windows, including how we used a similar principle with a mirror in one of our projects.

Read the full article via the link in the comments.
And let me know what you think!!

31/07/2026

A rewarding moment in a project is certainly presenting the concept design.

After weeks of sketching, testing ideas and refining the layout, the vision starts to become more real.

We’re delighted to be working on a beautiful semi-detached home in Woollahra and are pleased to share this first glimpse of the design.

This is where every project begins: new ideas, collaboration and the excitement of together imagining what the home could become.

27/06/2026

Have you ever entered a home and immediately felt a sense of calm?

Perhaps it was a holiday house where you spent some time relaxing, or maybe it was your own home welcoming you after a busy day.

Some homes seem to have the ability to instantly make us feel more relaxed, comfortable and at ease.

Yet not all homes achieve this.

So what are the qualities that make a home feel calming? And how can architecture and design contribute to our everyday wellbeing?

Link to the full article in the comments 🔗

26/05/2026

FROM THIS → TO THAT
IC House Stairs
Designed to bring light to all levels of the home

From setting up the stairs location to the finished product there is a great deal of knowledge in between.

The new steel staircase was designed to connect the three levels of the house from one central location.

The U shape configuration creates a generous landing that breaks the effort of going up into two shorter sequences, making this staircase far more comfortable to use day to day.

Open treads allow light from the skylight above and upper windows to filter through all levels of the home, transforming the staircase into a vertical tunnel of light.

One detail most people miss:

Because the walls surrounding it are concrete, the step lights had to be precisely located even before the stairs was installed.

This is when precise drawings and documentation will assist the builder and become essential for a successful result.

Stairs build by : Ozstairs
Design and Detail : Cristina Gomes

28/04/2026

Your kitchen might be in the wrong place.

Before thinking about finishes or appliances,
the most important decision is where the kitchen sits within the home.

It defines flow, light and connection with surrounding spaces.
And those are the things that shape how you live in your home every day.

Locating the kitchen correctly is one of the key questions we resolve during the concept design stage.

You don’t want to miss it.

Read the full article :
“The kitchen - why selecting the right location is key to your floor plan”
on our website. Link in bio.

14/04/2026

What if your home had moments like this?

In this project, the ensuite was designed around a softly formed freestanding bath positioned to capture the stunning views.

With plenty of natural light and a sense of openness this space allows for relaxation and enjoyment.

13/04/2026

TERRACE HOUSE - rear room transformation

A small, underperforming bedroom completely reimagined.
In this renovation, the original rear bedroom was constrained with lower ceilings and limited space.
Likely part of an earlier extension, it lacked the generous dimensions and details you could find in other rooms of the Victorian terrace.

The brief was clear:

create a bedroom that could grow with a young family, from childhood into teenage years and beyond.

The response was not only to add extra space but rethink it entirely.

We proposed a larger bedroom, more storage, higher cathedral ceiling, a lovely balcony and an ensuite completing the plan for a unique bedroom.

What once was a tight bedroom became one of the most generous and enjoyable rooms in the house.

This is one of those interventions where just a couple of extra squaremeters and a much better internal layout, allowed for a total reconfiguration.

Do you have a space in your house that isn’t working as it should?
It may not need more, just a different approach.

08/04/2026