Business Details
24 Years
experience
Sustainable Architecture & Design Experts Melbourne
The PHOOEY Architects is a family design studio founded in 2002 by husband-and-wife team Peter Ho and Emma Young. Specializing in sustainable architecture, heritage preservation, and adaptive reuse, we combine over 50 years of combined experience to deliver innovative, energy-efficient solutions. Our practice emphasizes client collaboration, creating resilient designs that minimize waste while respecting historical contexts. Recognized internationally for award-winning projects, we offer full-service architectural expertise from masterplanning to construction oversight. Our teams background includes high-profile projects across residential, commercial, and institutional sectors globally.We prioritize thermal efficiency, material reuse, and functional aesthetics in every project. With a focus on urban sustainability, we integrate green roofs, passive solar design, and recycled materials. Our directors media presence and public speaking engagements reinforce our commitment to advancing sustainable design principles. We maintain strong relationships with consultants and contractors to ensure project success. Our work has been featured in over 20 international publications and design exhibitions.
Services
Residential Architecture
Heritage Restoration
Interior Design
Commercial Buildings
Urban Planning
Sustainable Design
Design & Construct Projects
Feasibility Studies
Masterplanning
Construction Oversight
Details
- Year established: 2002
Highlights and features
- We have over 25 years of architectural experience on international projects
- Our team includes registered architects with AIA and ARBV certifications
- We pioneered innovative reuse strategies featured in global design exhibitions
- Our projects have received multiple international awards and publications
- We offer full-service architectural delivery from concept to construction
Services
Sustainable Architecture
Our sustainable architecture practice focuses on energy-efficient buildings using passive solar design, recycled materials, and thermal performance optimization. We create resilient structures that adapt to climate changes while maintaining aesthetic appeal. Projects incorporate solar arrays, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation systems to minimize environmental impact.
Heritage Restoration
Specializing in heritage conservation, we restore and adapt historic buildings while maintaining their architectural integrity. Our approach combines modern functionality with traditional techniques, ensuring compliance with preservation standards while enhancing usability for contemporary needs.
Interior Design
We create functional, aesthetically pleasing interiors that reflect client personalities and optimize space usage. Our designs integrate sustainable materials and innovative storage solutions while maintaining thermal efficiency and natural light optimization.
Commercial Buildings
Our commercial architecture delivers productive workspaces with emphasis on natural lighting, thermal comfort, and flexible layouts. We incorporate energy-efficient systems and sustainable materials to reduce operational costs while creating inspiring environments.
Design & Construct Projects
We offer complete design and build services for small-scale projects, managing all aspects from concept development to final construction. This approach ensures design integrity while providing cost certainty and streamlined project delivery timelines.
People
Peter Ho
Director
Registered architect with 25+ years' experience, including international projects in Ho Chi Minh City, New York, and Melbourne. Formerly with Zaha Hadid Architects, Peter specializes in sustainable design and has appeared on Network TEN's THE RENOVATORS.
Emma Young
Director
Registered architect since 2000 with extensive project management experience across residential and commercial sectors. Co-founder of The PHOOEY Architects, Emma leads design teams and has overseen construction supervision for major Melbourne developments.
Questions
What architectural services do you specialize in?
We specialize in sustainable architecture, heritage restoration, residential and commercial design, interior architecture, and adaptive reuse projects across Australia.
How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
We use passive solar design, recycled materials, green roofs, and energy-efficient systems while prioritizing thermal performance and minimizing construction waste in all projects.
Can you work on heritage-listed properties?
Yes, we have extensive experience with heritage buildings, including Cubo House and Canterbury Home-Office, balancing preservation requirements with modern functionality.
Do you handle both design and construction phases?
We offer full-service architecture including design, documentation, and construction supervision, plus specialized Design & Construct project delivery for smaller works.
What areas do you service?
Based in Fitzroy North, Melbourne, we work across metropolitan and regional Victoria including South Gippsland and the Mornington Peninsula.
