Exceptional design, within reach
Since 2006, our mission has been simple: put exceptional design within reach of more Australians. It doesn't come from a bigger budget. It comes from 20 years of solving steep sites, tight briefs and big ideas.
We're an award-winning building design studio on Tamborine Mountain, Queensland, designing and documenting homes and selected commercial projects across Australia.
Nero, Estella NSW · Built by Lancaster Homes
2006
Founded as Dzign-R1,000+
Projects designed3
National design awards in 2026
From Dzign-R to Design Artisan
Russell Winnett and Tamara Eyles launched Design Artisan's predecessor, Dzign-R, in 2006, putting values at the core of the business from the outset. Those values are still shared by the whole Design Artisan team today.
The goal hasn't changed either: to improve the form, function and affordability of housing, and to put professional design and documentation within reach of more Australian families. More than 1,000 projects later, builders across Australia work from our drawings, on everything from first homes and family renovations to acreage homesteads and a national award-winning bath house.
For us, nothing large is too challenging and nothing small is too simple. Each project gets the same commitment: the most functional and beautiful result we can draw.
In 2026 that work was recognised nationally, with three BDAA National Design Awards and Queensland's Best Residential Building Design Practice at the BUILD Architecture Awards.
What guides every design
Four ideas that have shaped the studio since 2006, whatever the size of the brief.
The site leads
Slope, light, views and weather shape the plan before anything else. Steep blocks and challenging landscapes are where some of our best work begins.
One team, concept to documentation
The people who draw the concept also document it, so nothing is lost in the handover. Our drawings are written for the builders who read them on site.
Form, function and cost, together
Good design balances how a building looks, how it works and what it costs to build. We weigh all three from the first sketch.
A little magic
We look for the things a client didn't think to ask for. The view from the bath. Morning light at the end of a hallway. The details people still notice years later.
Where we do our best work
Sloping and hillside sites
Homes that work with the fall of the land, not against it.
Acreage and country homesteads
Large homes on open land, planned around views, weather and the way rural families live.
Renovations and additions
Existing homes reworked and extended to suit how the people in them live now.
Selected commercial projects
Places people travel for, like SOL Elements on Tamborine Mountain, winner of the 2026 BDAA National Design Excellence Award.
Fearless leaders
A very rare photo of our fearless leaders, Russell and Tamara, with the three trophies from the 2026 BDAA National Design Awards.
Behind them is a team of designers, documentation specialists and the people who keep every project moving. Projects are credited to Design Artisan, because each one is the work of the whole studio.
We work from Tamborine Mountain in Queensland's Scenic Rim, and meet clients on site, at the studio or by video, wherever the project is.
Russell still thinks he's the boss. Tamara still knows otherwise.
Recognised nationally in 2026
Three national awards in a single night in Canberra, alongside Queensland's Best Residential Building Design Practice. Member, Building Designers Association of Australia. QBCC licence 15124173.
- National Design Excellence AwardSOL Elements · BDAA National Design Awards 2026
- Commercial BuildingsSOL Elements · BDAA National Design Awards 2026
- New Residential Buildings ($1.51m to $1.99m)Nero, built by Lancaster Homes · BDAA National Design Awards 2026
- Best Residential Building Design Practice, QueenslandDesign Artisan · BUILD Architecture Awards 2026
About the studio
When was Design Artisan founded?
Design Artisan's predecessor, Dzign-R, was launched in 2006, founded by Russell Winnett and Tamara Eyles. Since then, the studio has designed more than 1,000 projects.
Where is Design Artisan based?
Our studio is on Tamborine Mountain in Queensland's Scenic Rim, about an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast. We design projects across Australia, meeting clients on site, at the studio or by video.
Are you architects?
No. Design Artisan is a building design studio. We are members of the Building Designers Association of Australia, and the studio holds QBCC licence 15124173.
What kinds of projects do you design?
Custom homes, sloping and hillside sites, acreage and country homesteads, renovations and additions, and selected commercial projects such as retreats and wellness venues.
Do you build?
No. We design and document. You choose your builder, or we can introduce builders who already know our drawings.
Do you work with builders?
Yes. Builders across Australia work from our drawings. If you're a builder looking for design and documentation for your own clients, see Design Artisan for builders.
Have a site in mind?
Tell us about the land and the brief, and we'll arrange a first conversation.
Start a conversationPrefer to talk? Call 1300 977 778