ABOUT

Philosophy

With full regard to sustainable practices and generational design, Vibe Design Group has long embodied Biophilic Design Principles that seek connection with the natural world – embracing a human desire to feel linked to the environment and in turn enhancing our daily living experiences.

Biophilic Design

Biophilia is a philosophy rather than a ‘style’ and it is at the core of what Vibe Design Group believes in. It may be capturing an indirect reflected view or a raised building element appearing to float gentle above the land. Our homes are the most significant place we spend our time and when a house design truly connects with its surrounds it feels like it belongs to the landscape.
Vibe Design Group prides themselves on understanding the natural rhythms of a place and identifying how to marry those opportunities with the personality of the occupants for a completely fluid home design.
With the ability to offer design services Australia wide, Michael and Kathryn combine over thirty years of experience in handling the many decisions that present within the design process with directional design thinking and a strong structural knowledge that sees the built reality as per the intended design.

Whilst Vibe Design Group takes great inspiration from the calmness and balance that presents in modernist and mid-century architecture; their portfolio of residential design work and interior design & styling is unique to each client’s intent and the overall creative vision– the common thread is that each project speaks to its natural surrounds.

Some studio highlights being – worldwide recognition for our Kew House 3 project including an article in the New York Times. This project also featured locally highlighted by Planet Ark for its use of timber. While our Moat’s Corner project received an Australian Good Design award in the Architectural Design category.

About us

About Michael

As Managing Director and Principal Designer at Vibe Design Group, Michael’s journey started in residential construction where he found himself constantly solving detail issues and creating new methods, which ignited a passion for Design and Architecture. While furthering his construction knowledge he combined self-led Architectural studies with an innate sense of design theory to lead in producing an extensive portfolio of successful built work spanning 35 years.

Captivated by the Case Study House program in Los Angeles and the designs of Mies van der Rohe, Michael has been fortunate enough to travel and explore many of these works first hand. They continue to be a great source of inspiration with design aesthetics that are truly timeless.

Michael is experienced in Biophilic Contemporary Design and construction techniques influenced by Modernist Architecture; awarded Fellow of the BDAV in 2016 and Life Member of DMN (Design Matters National) in 2022. Michael is a registered practitioner with the Victorian Building Authority for Building Design Architectural DP-AD and Domestic Builder-Unlimited BD-U.

About Kathryn

Kathryn started in office training while completing her Design studies, exposing her to all aspects of project documentation, starting with Town Planning applications then advanced Structural and Interior detailing.

This work gave a strong understanding of professional process and the detail required to deliver high level residential work. Kathryn became involved in early key meetings with clients and naturally progressed to the main design team.

​Living and breathing the project work from site visit to interior design phase, it became a natural segue for Kathryn’s involvement with Interior styling and furniture procurement.

​Kathryn has travelled to the West Coast USA to consume all things design in what’s considered the origin of Mid-Century Modern Architecture.

​Having a natural aptitude towards design Kathryn is highly skilled in every aspect required to deliver luxury residential design.

Vibe Design Group services

AWARDS

PRESS

Some of our awards...

We don’t design for awards, we design for our clients. We are very proud to have received recognition through award schemes for our buildings, which focus on functional spaces, sustainability and innovative design. In addition to awards, Vibe Design Group have featured in design magazines, books and journals across the world.

Good Design Awards
2019 Good Design Award Winner in the Architectural Design Category – Moat’s Corner

Design Matters Building Design Awards (BDAV)
2019 Building Design of the Year—Moat’s Corner
2019 Past Presidents Prize – Moat’s Corner
2019 New House over $3M Construction Cost – Moat’s Corner
2018 Excellence in Use of Glass Winner – Morell House
2016 Residential Design: New Houses $1M+ Winner– Sorrento House 1
2016 Most Innovative Kitchen Winner – Sorrento House 1
2014 Residential Design: New Houses $1M+ Commendation – Grange
2013 Best Residential Alterations & Additions: $500K+ Winner – The Eyrie
2012 Residential Design: New Houses $1M+ Winner – Royston
2012 Residential Design: New Houses $500K-$1M+ Commendation – Dalton
2011 Residential Design Alterations & Additions: $500K+ Winner – Mercer
2011 Residential Design: New Houses $500K-$1M Commendation – Tramway

National Association of Building Designers Awards
2019 Best New Residential Design – over $1M construction cost – Moat’s Corner

Abode Magazine Awards
2012 House of the Year Kew House 3

Select media mentions

‘A Home That Looks Like the Sounds of the ’60s’ New York Times – Kew House 3

‘A Modernist Response to Site: Moat’s Corner House by Vibe Design Group’ The Local Project 

“True and Timeless” Feature in American Farmhouse Style Magazine – Hyland House

Lexus TV Commercial – Moats Corner

Planet Ark ‘Environmental Edge’ TV Campaign – Kew House 3

‘Design Genius’ (Front Cover + Feature) Australia’s Best Houses (Book) – Kew House 3

‘Vibe Design Group covers house in Melbourne with asymmetric steel roof’ Designboom

‘Amazing Homes’ Series Better Homes & Gardens TV Program – New Farm House, Brisbane

Victoria’s Dream Homes (Front Cover) Sunday Herald Sun – Hughes Road

‘Modern Marvels of design’ The Weekend Australian – Kew House 3

Editor’s Picks – Dwell Online – McCrae House 1 & 2

Get in touch

To discuss your next project contact Michael or Kathryn at Vibe Design Group.

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