Who we are
To build a house is one thing, but better still is to create a space that becomes a home. This is what we do at Wardle Design- creates spaces that enable people to live better. Every project and every client brings its own unique combination of people, place and purpose. We engage with the complexity of these factors by serving the unique needs of the site, community, environment and the occupant whilst balancing liveability, feasibility and sustainability.
Combining the experience, network and design excellence of bigger studios with the customer service and attention to detail of a boutique firm, our responsiveness and candid communication style to both existing and prospective clients makes us easy to work with and we take pride in our high rates of customer satisfaction and retention.
The size of our team enables us to be forward-thinking to anticipate design, lifestyle and materiality trends. We combine material, technical and spatial innovation with advanced sustainability practices as standard on all projects, putting us at the forefront of high quality, but affordable design solutions.
Deeply rooted in our community in the inner north, and committed to our practice across Melbourne, our core purpose is to design innovative, custom, affordable homes that people love to live in for today and their ‘tomorrow’.
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Better living, made possible by Wardle Design
Our Team
Ben Wardle
Director
With over 18 years in the industry, Ben Wardle founded Wardle Design in 2017 to pursue his passion for quality, affordable residential design.
Combining his refined design approach with thorough knowledge of local council regulations, Ben is known for his intuitive and measured advice that makes navigating the process of building a new home that little bit easier.
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Away from work, Ben likes camping, cooking and going away on holiday with his family.
Michael Michielin
Design Manager (Construction)
Michael has spent over 15 years gaining extensive experience in design, project management and sustainability, specialising in small-large scale residential developments.
With a passion for problem solving and client relationship management, Michael takes pride in ensuring the construction documentation process is managed effectively and efficiently.
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When not in the office, Michael enjoys family holidays, basketball and going to gigs.
Amber Drew
Senior Building Designer
Amber is a Senior Building Designer who joined Wardle Design in 2018. She has experience in both residential and commercial projects. Amber specialises in taking concepts through to permit stage in the town planning process. She also mentors graduate building designers and completes construction documentation.
Outside of work, Amber enjoys time with her family and dog, Archie, preferably with a craft beer in hand and an ocean nearby.
Marvin Marshall
Senior Building Designer
Marvin has over 15 years of design experience both overseas and in Australia. Working in the architectural industry he has enjoyed learning how to view problems as opportunities, to be creative, and to explore a wide range of possibilities and solutions.
He usually spends his leisure time travelling for day-trips with family, going to the beach and taking his kids to the playground.
Theo Bosch
Planning & Design Lead
Theo joined the Wardle team as an architectural graduate in 2018. He sees design as a fluid and collaborative process and likes using his knowledge to achieve the outcomes that clients desire. He especially enjoys the challenge of overcoming site and construction constraints to achieve quality design.
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When not at work, you can normally find Theo cooking with a glass of wine in hand or spending time with friends at various social outings.
Voutha Choeung
Senior Building Designer
Voutha’s passion for art and design has led him to pursue a career in building design. He enjoys working in a very friendly environment with a fantastic team and learning from colleagues around him.
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In his spare time he enjoys being outdoors, camping and both playing and watching sports.
Meg Shelton
Building Designer
Meg was inspired to pursue a career in the building design industry when observing many different styles of home during her travels.
She enjoys working in a great team environment and expanding her knowledge in all areas of the building design process
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In her spare time, she enjoys reading and getting outside in the garden.
Harri Gunst
Building Designer
Harri brings a fresh perspective and a real excitement for design. Before jumping into the world of architecture, he worked as a chef, which took him all over Victoria. He saw how different places respond to their surroundings through design; something that now inspires his own creative approach. He loves creating spaces that feel warm, welcoming, and truly lived-in.
When he’s not designing, Harri’s usually found with a new craft project on his hands or out practicing archery, always finding new ways to challenge himself and stay sharp.
Maria Dunne
Building Designer
Maria has over 15 years of experience in the Building Design industry across residential, commercial and retail projects. She currently specialises in completing working drawings for multi-residential projects.
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Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family.
Victoria Buultjens
Building Designer
Time spent on building sites at a young age sparked Victoria's interest in construction. She enjoys working creatively alongside a great team to produce the best possible design outcome.
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In her spare time she enjoys swimming at the beach and being outdoors.
Chris Colton
Building Designer
Chis has many years of experience within the building and design industry and enjoys the entire process, from design concepts through to building completion. He has an interest in sustainable architecture, and love for famous buildings, both past and present.
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In his spare time Chris enjoys taking his two whippets on walks, occasionally travelling and experiencing world-famous architecture in person, and spending time with his family. As a long-suffering Carlton supporter, he hopes to see Carlton Football Club win a premiership again in his lifetime.
Alex Caruana-Brown
Building Designer
Alex joined Wardle Design in early 2024. After working across a range of sectors, he wanted to channel his skills into residential design.
With a background in hospitality and 5 years experience in Building Design, he enjoys collaboration and takes a creative approach to problem-solving.
Outside of work, he enjoys playing or watching sport, enjoying coffee & attempting a range DIY projects at home.
Anthony Berlangieri
Building Designer
Anthony is a Building Designer with several years of experience across residential, commercial, and industrial projects, recently expanding into Project Coordination. He is skilled in creating aesthetic and functional designs, collaborating closely with clients and teams to deliver innovative solutions that ensure timely and cost-effective project outcomes.
Outside the office, he enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, and staying active through running and regular gym sessions
Ania Thomson
Building Designer
After beginning her career in finance, Ania Thomson transitioned into the design industry and developed her experience in New Zealand. She has a background in architectural technology and a practical, detail-focused approach, with a love for furniture upcycling and sourdough baking.
Essie Grayson
Building Designer
Essie completed an Advanced Diploma of Building Design (Architectural) at RMIT in 2024 and is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture at RMIT. Her design interests centre on light, texture, and the creation of spaces that feel grounded, tactile, and human.
She is particularly interested in how architecture and landscape intersect, and how thoughtful design can shape atmosphere and everyday experience.
Outside the studio, Essie enjoys being outdoors; whether hiking, swimming, or exploring alpine and coastal landscapes, she also spends her downtime painting and sketching.
Brad Corcoran
Building Designer
Brad brings extensive experience across design and construction, having built his career as a tradesman, project manager, and Graduate of Architecture. With a strong creative instinct and a talent for solving complex problems, he is dedicated to guiding projects from concept through completion. Brad is passionate about crafting well‑designed, functional homes that prioritise the needs and experience of the end user.
Outside of work, he’s a committed Bulldogs supporter and enjoys pursuing creative interests.
Jack Pearce
Building Designer
Jack brings more than nine years of building design experience shaped by a balanced mix of residential and commercial projects. His approach is grounded in practicality and a genuine appreciation for how spaces are built, not just how they look. That mindset comes from a personal passion for detailing and hands‑on DIY work.
In his spare time Jack enjoys making furniture and having a go at any creative hobby. If he's not in the workshop, he's with his partner and her dog, Ollie.
Joseph Spinozzi
Building Designer
Joe holds degrees in Building Design and Construction Management and brings many years of hands-on experience across residential, commercial, industrial, and large-scale projects. His expertise blends strong technical knowledge with practical site experience, enabling him to efficiently manage projects from concept through to completion while consistently delivering high-quality, reliable outcomes.
Outside the office, Joe loves spending quality time with family and friends. He enjoys watching ice hockey and is an AFL fan and stays active by playing ice hockey himself.
Emma Yates
Interior Designer
Emma studied Interior Design at university, building a strong foundation in spatial planning, materiality, and human‑centred design. With a background in administrative support and customer service, she brings communication skills and a client‑focused approach to every project.
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She thrives on collaborating closely with clients to understand their needs and aspirations, exploring concepts that balance functionality with forward‑thinking creativity. Emma is passionate about crafting unique spaces that not only inspire but also feel like home.
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Outside of design, Emma enjoys spending time with her Partner, German Shepherd and Rottweiler, practising Pilates and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen.
Sara McKeown
HR / Administration
Sara launched her career in IT, accumulating over 10 years of experience in various areas of the industry before transitioning to Human Resources. As the sister of Director Ben Wardle, she joined the team to provide support with HR and various administrative tasks, enjoying the opportunity to collaborate with others and focus on continuous improvement.
In her free time, Sara loves spending time with her family, reading, going for walks, playing board games, cooking, and staying active with Zumba and Pilates.​
Kate Gallus
Office Manager
Kate started out her career as a veterinarian. When she married Ben Wardle she had no idea this would lead to a career change. Ben started Wardle Design 1 week before their second baby was born. While Kate was on maternity leave she helped Ben with administrative, organisational and financial tasks so that he could focus on his passion – working with design and clients. This is how things have continued and Kate has learned many new skills along the way.
Ben Wardle
Director
With over 18 years in the industry, Ben Wardle founded Wardle Design in 2017 to pursue his passion for quality, affordable residential design.
Combining his refined design approach with thorough knowledge of local council regulations, Ben is known for his intuitive and measured advice that makes navigating the process of building a new home or development that little bit easier.
