kate Mountstephens
Profile
Kate's interest is in adapting and enhancing old buildings for contemporary use. This means that while the significance and character of an existing building are respected and can generate the design approach, new work is designed to suit modern living requirements and is legible as a new ‘layer’ of a building.
Kate Mountstephens Architecture+Heritage is a small practice based in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Our focus is on residential and small commercial projects for private clients, government and commercial developers.
Currently, we are working on designs for alterations and additions to several houses in inner Sydney and its suburbs.
Kate’s interest lies is in adapting and enhancing old buildings for contemporary use. This means that while the significance and character of an existing building are respected and can generate the design approach, new work is designed to suit modern living requirements and is legible as a contemporary ‘layer’ of the building.
Before establishing Kate Mountstephens Architecture+Heritage in in 2010, Kate spent over 10 years working with Allen Jack+Cottier, the last two years as a director of the firm. At AJ+C, Kate’s projects included Flourmill Studios in Newtown, the Mould Loft (Building 6) on Cockatoo Island, the former
Submarine Mine Corps at Chowder Bay, Sydney and several new apartment building and commercial projects. While at Allen Jack+Cottier, she commenced work on Botanica, Lidcombe, a project involving the adaptive re-use of several State Heritage Register-listed former hospital buildings for use as apartments.
Kate also worked for several years for the Sydney Cove Authority, conserving buildings in Sydney’s Rocks area. Her favourite project in The Rocks, the revitalisation of a group of houses in Long’s Lane, won the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (NSW Chapter) Lloyd Rees Award for Urban Design. While at the Sydney Cove Authority, Kate completed a Masters of Heritage Conservation.
Kate is able to undertake all stages of a project including concept design, development applications, detailed construction documentation and working with the builder on site. She can advise on the building approvals process and can explain what happens at each stage of a building project. Kate’s heritage conservation background means that she has the experience to prepare Statements of Heritage Impact when they are required for Development Application submissions. She can also prepare other documents required for a Development Application including planning reports (Statements of Environmental Effects) and BASIX Certificates.
Kate Mountstephens Architecture+Heritage combines big firm experience with the individual service and attention to detail that a small firm can offer.
Kate’s approach is collaborative and communicative. She works closely with clients from the concept design stage onwards and aims to keep them up-to-date with the progress of their projects at all times. Kate enjoys the construction process, loves visiting building sites and likes to work in a close team with the builder and consultants to achieve the best result for her clients.
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