THE STUDIO
STUDIO TRACES
CAPABILITY
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
HOSPITALITY
WELLNESS
RETAIL
WORKPLACE
PROJECT EXPERIENCE

EMBER BATH HOUSE
Wellness

ANGEL
Retail

POWELLS WINE BAR
Hospitality

VELOCITY KARRINYUP
Retail

DERMAL DESIGN
Health Care

YARN WINE BAR
Hospitality

BLANK SUITES
Wellness

VELOCITY MELBOURNE
Retail
EMBER BATH HOUSE II
PHOTOGRAPHY: DION ROBESON
WELLNESS DESIGN
PHOTOGRAPHY: DION ROBESON
WELLNESS DESIGN
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
“Studio Traces delivered with inimitable ingenuity.
Creative, energetic, insightful and full of heart.
Studio Traces was integral from the foundations of
our project. Not only did they deliver with an
amazing eye for design and detail, they were a
pleasure and joy to work with as a team.
Embodying a vision and executing a dream into
reality. Their experience working in the industry,
collaborating with trades and understanding the
whole process from conception to completion was
a huge benefit to the project. Having the
opportunity to work with Studio Traces in the
future would be a pleasure.”
- Ember Bath House | Samantha Rodarte.
PHOTOGRAPHY: DION ROBESON
WELLNESS DESIGN
About
EMBER BATH HOUSE
PHOTOGRAPHY: DION ROBESON
WELLNESS DESIGN
JUNI CAFE, MAYLANDS
PHOTOGRAPHY: CO STUDIO
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
- Juni Cafe | Rachel Juniper.
PHOTOGRAPHY: CO STUDIO
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
ZONTS BAKE HOUSE
PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT BIOCIC
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
- Zonts | Lionel Chong.
PHOTOGRAPHY: MATT BIOCIC
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
VELOCITY ACTIVEWEAR, BONDI
PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM FERGUSON
RETAIL DESIGN
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
- Velocity Activewear | Adam and Milly Turley.
PHOTOGRAPHY: TOM FERGUSON
RETAIL DESIGN
BLANK SUITES
PHOTOGRAPHY: DION ROBESON
WELLNESS DESIGN
CLIENT TESTIMONIAL
- KBM Builders | Brendon Iten
PHOTOGRAPHY: DION ROBESON
WELLNESS DESIGN
POWELLS FROMAGERIE AND WINE BAR
PHOTOGRAPHY: MATTHEW KESS
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
YARN WINE BAR
3D RENDERS: STUDIO TRACES
HOSPITALITY DESIGN
COTTO
3D RENDER: STUDIO TRACES
HOSPITALITY DESIGN UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Guide to the Design Journey
SCHEDULE A PHONE CHAT
We’re grateful for your enquiry, we will schedule a time to have a phone call together to discuss your unique project, we will listen to your needs and ask some important questions that help us understand your project and how we may assist with the design.
COMPLIMENTARY INITIAL CONSULT MEETING
We will coordinate a time to meet together to discuss your project... at your place of business, on site or in our studio. We 'll listen to your needs and bring our design minds to the discussion.
FEE PROPOSAL
From the information we discussed during the initial consult meeting, we will prepare a formal fee proposal for your consideration. This will be based on the scope of work discussed, the design deliverables required, outlining our inclusions. Once the fee estimate is accepted, we will invoice the deposit as outlined, and commence design work, once the deposit is received. A client On-Boarding form will be sent for completion, to set you up as a client in our systems.
DESIGN CONCEPT STAGE COMMENCES - TIME VARIES TO EACH UNIQUE PROJECT
The Design Concept stage commences. We will prepare your project to commence design. Please allow some lead in time for us to commence the design work and schedule this in within our resourcing capacity, typically 1-2 weeks.
CLIENT BRIEFING
Listening is our super power, we will schedule a follow-up meeting to dive deeper into the unique and comprehensive requirements of your project. Asking the right questions...Let' s discuss your project. We 'll listen to your needs and collaborate to discover ideas and inspiration together.
SITE SURVEY
We may begin with a site survey. We’ll schedule a site survey, where we measure up the site, alongside obtaining the existing plans from the landlord, if applicable. The site survey ensures we are working with accurate plans, essential to maximising the functionality of the space, and ensuring compliance in the planning stages.
EQUIPMENT LISTS
prior to commencing planning, we will ask for a detailed list of any specialist equipment to be included, for example within Hospitality Projects, the commercial kitchen equipment. For Wellness projects, this may include Saunas, ice baths and gym equipment.
PLANNING
Once the existing base build is documented, utilising the client brief as our guide, we will prepare layout planning. Often the layout planning is a rigorous process to ensure we develop layout concepts that optimise space, improve operational workflows, ensure compliance with NCC and DDA standards, and enhance usability and appeal. Sometimes preliminary layout plans are presented. After a thorough planning process, we will present the final floor plan for client approval.
3D MODELLING COMMENCES
Once the Layout Plan is approved or sometimes concurrently with the planning process, we’ll produce 3D renders and present these as the best communication tool we have to showcase the design for your project. Often the 3D Design will communicate the planning better than the plan itself, therefore we may present both layout planning alongside the 3D Design.
3D VISUALS
Our studio will create exceptional 3D Render visuals of your design, with lighting and effects to enhance the design concept and provide you with an exceptional suite of visuals, visually captivating the experience and wow factor of your design. We will present these at our Concept Presentation.
CONCEPT DESIGN PRESENTATION
We will welcome you into our Maylands studio to present the Concept Design. This may include, plans, mood board, finishes samples, 3D Visuals. This is the first super exciting part of the Design Journey! A digital copy is emailed to you following the presentation.
FEEDBACK & DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
Whilst our studio aims to intuit a design outcome which is both functional and aesthetically engaging, memorable, emotive, fit for purpose and a big “YES, we love it”!, we understand there may be some changes you might like to the design, and we welcome this feedback. The Concept Design stage allows for a couple of rounds of changes, as outlined in the tailored fee estimate, to allow for this flow within the design process. We may make the changes and email these through to you, we will keep you informed of the time frame this will take to return.
DESIGN APPROVAL
Once the Design is approved, formally by email, we will proceed with the more Technical stages of the Design Journey.
PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTATION
Preliminary documentation may be required, so we can sent some time sensitive information to landlords, Retail Design Managers, external Consultants, such as Lighting Consultants, Engineers, or Approvals Consultants. We will prioritise these components of the technical drawings first, such as: Partition Plans, Ceiling and lighting layouts.
APPROVALS
An important part of the Design Journey, will often include, in most cases various Approvals processes, involving
external consultants. We do not include preparing or submitting any approvals as the industry standard is for these to be
looked after by the shopfitter, builder, or client directly. We can however, recommend consultants, and include sending
them the required drawings and liaising with them if any changes to the design are required. Below is a comprehensive
list, please note not all Approvals are required, it will vary depending on each unique project. These approvals often are
happening concurrently with the remainder of the Design Journey.
Assessment of Building NCC - items requiring upgrading to code - Building Surveyor / Certifier Consultant
DA Change of Use Application - Town Planner/ Surveyor who includes this service
Section J - Energy Assessment - Building Surveyor who includes this service
Structural Engineer
Certificate of Design Compliance - Building Surveyor / Certifier Consultant
Building Permit - Building Surveyor / Certifier Consultant
Occupancy Permit - Building Surveyor / Certifier Consultant - they inspect the tenancy before opening
Health Department - Separate application with Local Permit Authority - they inspect the tenancy before opening
Liquor Licencing - Separate application with Local Permit Authority - they inspect the tenancy before opening
CONSULTANTS
For larger projects, Engineering Consultants may be required to be engaged to document: In-Slab Hydraulics, Mechanical Design, Fire Design, Electrical Design, Structural Engineering and Lighting Design. These are a separate Consultant, with separate fees to be engaged by the client or client representative. We can make recommendations and coordinate from a design perspective.
FINISHES AND FIXTURES SCHEDULES
A comprehensive Finishes and Fixtures Schedule will be prepared, outlining all the finishes such as tiles, grout, tapware and joinery finishes. This will be provided in a schedule which builders can refer to for the pricing stage. This is issued with the documentation package.
DOCUMENTATION
We will provide a comprehensive and finalised documentation package (working drawings) in pdf format, necessary for Landlord Approval, CDC, Building Permit Applications, Pricing & Construction. This will be technical documentation of all the aspects of your projects we have allowed for within the fee estimate. We may schedule a review meeting to step through each elevation and or custom joinery detail together.
FURNITURE TRADE PRICING
We can assist in requesting trade pricing quotes for furniture, workstations, lighting and accessories from suppliers, but please note, we do not handle the procurement of items. We will pass the trade pricing directly to you for your consideration. If this service has been included within our scope of works, please refer to the tailored fee estimate. Often this may occur concurrently with other stages in the Design Journey.
TENDER OR PRICING PROCESS
Depending on what we have allowed for in the tailored fee estimate, we will send the documentation package out to builders or shopfitter for pricing or Tender. Pricing is where we may work closely with one nominated Builder. Tender is where we request multiple prices from the builders and review these together. Together we will make a recommendation and the contractual engagement of the builder is by client directly. We have excellent relationships with many builders and shopfitters, we encourage building a strong team around your project. Sometimes this process may be directly by client.
CONSTRUCTION DRAWINGS ISSUED
Issued For Construction Drawings will be prepared and sent to all relevant parties. Please note we typically invoice for our balance payment prior to this stage, unless our tailored fee outlines differently.
DESIGN ADMINISTRATION STAGE
This stage of our engagement, includes our studio team being available for and assisting with; Tender reviews, any value engineering to the documentation or schedules (ie: changes prior to Construction). Answering queries from the builder and client throughout the process on phone or email.
COMMENCE ON SITE
How exciting! Your builder is underway on site. We include site visits during construction, the number of visits will be tailored to each project’s specific needs, based on complexity, detail, and construction timeline.
COMPLETION INSPECTION
At completion on site, if we have included this within our fee estimate, we will complete a site walk through and defects inspection, for any items requiring to be fixed, completed or touched up.
PHOTOGRAPHY AND VIDEOGRAPHY
At completion, if we have discussed this with you in advance, we may coordinate and arrange professional photography and videography of the completed design for our portfolio and marketing purposes. We may discuss these being of mutual benefit to your business also. Photography and Videography, if this proceeds, will be an additional cost - which we can share the cost of if you would find the content useful for your business also. Engagement of our design services confirms permission for us to photograph and video the completed project.
THE DESIGN JOURNEY
HOW WE WORK
- Initial Consultation
- Client Brief
- Site Analysis
- Concept Design
- Design Development
- Technical Drawings
- Specifications - Finishes and Fixtures
- Design Administration
- Approvals assistance
- On Site Meetings during Construction
- Please refer to your tailored fee estimate which outlines inclusions
CONCEPT DESIGN
CONCEPT DESIGN
CAN YOU MAKE CHANGES AFTER THE INITIAL CONCEPT DESIGN PRESENTATION?
DESIGN DEVELOPMENT
DESIGN REFINEMENT
COORDINATION & APPROVALS
FURNITURE TRADE QUOTES & PROCUREMENT ASSISTANCE
DOCUMENTATION
PRODUCTION OF DETAILED DOCUMENTATION PACKAGE
The documentation package may include:
- Location Plan
- Layout Plan
- Partition Plan
- Reflected Ceiling Plan with Lighting
- Floor Finishes Plan
- Wall Finishes Plan
- Elevations 1:50 1:20
- Joinery Details 1:20
- Details 1:2 1:5
- Signage Details
EXCLUSIONS
DESIGN ADMINISTRATION
LIAISON WITH NOMINATED BUILDER
- Submission of CDC and Building Permit (CDC and submission handled by others/Builder)
- Documentation package for pricing
- Documentation package for construction
SUPPORT DURING CONSTRUCTION
- We will address any Requests for Information (RFIs) from the Builder, consultants, or client during the construction phase.
- Site visits during construction are included. The number of visits will be tailored to each project’s specific needs, based on complexity, detail, and construction timeline. These visits are an important part of the process to ensure the best possible outcome.
COMPLETION & DESIGN INSPECTIONS
ADDITIONAL SERVICES
ON SITE
Studio Ethos
LISTENING IS OUR SUPER POWER
Listening to your unique project requirements and to your dreams for the space is super important to the foundation of the design. Knowing how to intuit the brief into an outcome that feels emotive and purposeful is our super power! Most importantly, we are on your team as your design consultant.
TRANSPARENCY AND RELIABILITY
Transparency just feels good. Knowing where we are heading, understanding the process, the milestones and expectations. We encourage open communication throughout our design engagement with you. This document also aims to provide clarity to the design process, to help with understanding what comes next at each stage. Reliability is assuring that we are working on your project, even when you don’t hear from us, it means we are in creativity stages.
BE UNIQUE, BE REBELLIOUS, OWN IT
Your design project can be it' s own unique project! We will take your design further... yes it will be unique and rebellious! Own it! Trust in our design capability... and watch the wow factor unfold. Aesthetically we strive for an emotive response within the client and the people that will ultimately experience the space, however functionality is always imperative to the success of any design.
EMPOWERED WELLBEING
We empower the design team to do the best for our clients, through supporting diversity of thought, conscious inclusion, a flexible working environment and work-life balance.
Communication And Payments
PAYMENTS
Please refer to the tailored fee estimate for confirmation. Typically a Deposit payment of 50% of the fee is invoiced at the engagement of our design services, with design work commencing or deliverables being issued following receiving this deposit. The next billing stage, is before Construction drawings are issued or final deliverables sent with the remaining 50% balance to be invoiced. In accordance with the invoicing schedule outlined on the approved fee estimate. We believe this billing approach keeps both parties transparent and simplifies the quantity of invoicing.
COMMUNICATION
We encourage an open, honest and informative style of communication, where we prefer to keep you informed at each stage. There will be communication in the lead up to and during project milestones. Whilst we are in the design phases for your project, rest assured we are working on your project to progress the design and therefore you may hear from us less whilst we are underway and in the zone. We will check in with you via email weekly, and in addition schedule regular phone calls to update progress, discuss any queries or concerns and problem solve together.
OFFICE HOURS
Monday to Friday 9am - 5pm
We are closed on weekends and public holidays. Contact outside of
these hours may be addressed on the next business day. We can be
available outside of these standard business hours, on request. Email
and Phone call is our preferred contact method, however Whatsapp
Group messages can be set up during Construction if deemed
appropriate.
EXPECTATIONS
We appreciate timely and professional constructive feedback.
Adhering to agreed upon timelines ensures smooth progress and
exceptional results for our clients. Reinforcing our commitment to a
collaborative and successful design experience. With this collaborative
and inspiring approach, we prioritise authentic communication
throughout the design process, ensuring you
'
re informed and involved
for the best possible outcome.