SYDNEY, NSW – Michael Bell Architects, a Sydney-based firm recognised for its expertise in heritage residential design, has extended its operations into regional New South Wales. The expansion reflects growing demand for architecturally-led rural estate development and heritage-sensitive property transformations outside metropolitan centres.
Founded in 1998 and operating for over two decades, the firm is known for delivering tailored design solutions for period homes and custom residences, particularly in heritage conservation zones throughout Sydney’s eastern and northern suburbs. The practice’s foray into regional NSW marks a continuation of its design philosophy that prioritises timeless architecture rooted in classical principles.
The decision to expand the firm’s geographic footprint follows a steady increase in rural commissions from private landowners, particularly in areas such as the Southern Highlands, Riverina, and Central West. These projects include both the design of new rural homesteads and the restoration or reconfiguration of existing heritage structures, often located on large land parcels with agricultural, equestrian or estate-style uses.
“Working in regional New South Wales presents opportunities to engage with both landscape and history in a way that is fundamentally different from urban environments,” said Michael Bell, principal architect of the firm. “These are sites where architectural decisions have a lasting impact on cultural and natural settings. We take that responsibility seriously.”
Recent projects include the reworking of a late 19th-century homestead in Wagga Wagga, where the original layout was adapted to suit contemporary living while maintaining the building’s historic integrity. Other projects involve the planning and design of new country residences that reference traditional Australian architectural forms while incorporating passive design principles and low-impact construction materials.
The expansion does not represent a shift away from the firm’s established urban portfolio. Projects continue across heritage-rich suburbs such as Paddington, Hunters Hill, and Mosman. However, the firm has noted that rural clients are increasingly seeking architectural services that reflect a balance between modern comfort and sensitivity to local heritage or landscape features. This includes working within existing planning frameworks related to heritage protection, environmental management and rural zoning controls.
Engagements in regional NSW also involve coordination with local councils, heritage consultants, and construction teams with experience in rural building methods. These collaborations are viewed by the firm as essential to ensuring design outcomes that are contextually appropriate and durable.
The firm’s approach is characterised by a high level of client interaction and project continuity. Each commission is led personally by the principal architect from initial consultation through to construction oversight. This consistency is maintained in both metropolitan and regional contexts, with remote design workshops and on-site inspections adapted to suit project logistics.
Regional clients include private homeowners and landowners with properties of architectural, cultural or personal significance. While each brief differs, a common theme across projects is the desire to retain a sense of place and tradition while enabling the functionality required of a contemporary residence. This includes upgrading thermal performance, planning for multi-generational use, and creating flexible internal layouts.
The expansion into regional New South Wales reflects broader interest in rural living, particularly among clients seeking privacy, open space and lifestyle change. For architects, the rural context presents a unique set of design challenges and opportunities related to climate, topography and site history.
As rural commissions increase, Michael Bell Architects continues to focus on integrating built form with environment and memory. While the firm’s signature style remains grounded in classical design principles, its rural work signals an evolving practice that responds to place and purpose across the New South Wales landscape.
About Michael Bell Architects
Michael Bell Architects is a Sydney-based architecture practice founded in 1998. The firm specialises in bespoke residential design with a focus on heritage-sensitive architecture, classical proportions and timeless aesthetics. With projects spanning metropolitan Sydney and regional New South Wales, the firm provides full architectural services from concept to construction across a wide range of residential scales.
Media Contact
Name
Michael Bell Architects
Contact name
Michael Bell
Contact phone
61 2 9212 0422
Contact address
c3/372 Wattle St
City
Ultimo
State
North South Wales
Zip
2007
Country
Australia
Url
https://www.michaelbellarchitects.com/