We specialise in bespoke residential and commercial design, delivering tailored solutions that balance creativity, functionality, and enduring quality.

Design Artisan | Design Beyond Expectation

At Design Artisan, our core mission is simple: to design and deliver exceptional spaces that serve the greater Australian public— buildings that go beyond the ordinary, with soul, style, and lasting impact.

Based in Queensland, we specialise in creating bespoke, timeless spaces that reflect individuality and purpose. While we’re proud to contribute to community-focused residential projects across the region, our true craft lies in uncovering the unique—transforming ideas into living, breathing spaces that challenge convention and inspire daily living.

Every Design Artisan project is a response to its environment, its people, and its potential. Whether it’s a private sanctuary in the subtropics or a bold statement in the city, our work is grounded in creativity, functionality, and the belief that great design should be both accessible and extraordinary.  For those who value detail, desire difference, and dream beyond the standard blueprint—we invite you to experience the Design Artisan difference.

We offer a full scope of design and documentation services including:

• Private and commercial design solutions
• Site-responsive and user-focused concepts
• Interior and spatial planning
• Builder collaboration and design management
• Construction documentation

 https://www.theurbanlist.com/goldcoast/a-list/sol-elements?disablecache

August 2025

The design alone could be worth the visit. Conceived by husband-and-wife duo Russell and Shae Raven and realised with the design team at Design Artisan Co, SOL’s form is circular, echoing the lake it sits on. Beneath that, though, is a more symbolic shape: a hexadecagon— 16 sides in sacred geometry—representing a bridge between earth and the divine.

 Inside SOL Elements, the first thing that catches my eye is the Yin Yang Zen Garden in the open-air central courtyard, with raked stones and nomo grass spiralling around an about-to-bloom Eastern Red Bud tree. Shae tells me it’s a symbol of balance, masculinity and femininity and the seasons of life.

Once I’d soaked up the Ying Yang garden, the Yakisugi cladding—traditional charred Japanese cedar—really caught my attention. 

Lining the internal space and SOL’s two private suites, Russell spent a month hand-burning every plank under the guidance of master craftsman Kenji Nishishita.

“Having the opportunity to spend a week with Kenji San, learning his family’s tradition of Yakisugi, changed my life,” Russell says. “His appreciation for the small moments slowed me down enough to take a breath amidst the madness of this project.” Each piece is unique, dark and textured, giving the space a sense of timeless gravitas.

Even the fixtures have a story; the bronze and slate finishes come from ABI Interiors’ soon-to-be-released Antique Collection, giving the interiors a natural, lived-in elegance.

January 2025

Corbett Homes, in collaboration with Design Artisan, delivered an award-winning modern farmhouse named Mildenhall 524—now known as Woodbury Lodge—which earned multiple accolades at the 2024 Central Queensland Housing & Construction Awards.

With Design Artisan leading the design, this project masterfully blends rustic charm with timeless, contemporary elegance. Perched on a hillside and surrounded by rolling green hills, the home showcases bespoke craftsmanship and thoughtful spatial planning, brought to life through a close partnership between builder, designer, and client.

Award highlights include:

• Individual Home from $500,000 to $750,000

• Best Residential Kitchen

• Individual Home from $1.5 million to $2 million

• Best Financial House of the Year

Despite the challenges of a sloped site, the Corbett Homes team executed the build over 36 weeks, while Design Artisan’s vision ensured seamless indoor-outdoor living, a sunken lounge, panoramic views, and luxurious finishes throughout. Key features include a gourmet kitchen, a stunning master suite, and custom spaces designed for comfort, privacy, and connection to the surrounding landscape.

The collaboration between Design Artisan and Corbett Homes is a testament to the power of shared vision and design-led construction. With back-to-back House of the Year awards, the team is aiming for a third—proving that truly great homes are born from creativity, craftsmanship, and connection.

June 2025

Perched on the lush slopes of Tamborine Mountain, this bespoke residence was thoughtfully designed by Design Artisan to reflect the personality, lifestyle, and vision of a discerning client seeking something timeless yet bold. 

Blending modern lines with earthy textures, the home effortlessly integrates into its rainforest surroundings. Dark cladding paired with warm red brickwork creates a striking contrast that speaks to both sophistication and groundedness, mirroring the mountain’s moody skies and rich red soil. The low, sprawling roofline anchors the home to the landscape while offering protection from the elements, embracing the subtropical climate.

Inside, expansive glazing frames uninterrupted views of the surrounding greenery, blurring the line between indoors and out. Open-plan living spaces flow organically, designed to capture natural light, passive airflow, and moments of stillness. A circular window feature adds a unique design detail, subtly referencing the natural cycles and rounded forms found in the environment beyond.

Terraced landscaping, manicured hedging, and a private entry staircase complete the home’s integration into the hillside, giving it a sense of elevation, privacy, and prestige.

Crafted for a client who sought a home with depth, warmth, and originality, this project reflects Design Artisan’s commitment to thoughtful, client-driven design—where no detail is overlooked, and every element has purpose.

April 2025

Set on an expansive 900-acre property in Mackay, this extraordinary home is a masterclass in luxury, scale, and custom design. Created by the team at Design Artisan for a truly wonderful family, the vision was clear from the beginning: a timeless, high-end residence that offered both everyday comfort and unforgettable wow-factor.

From day one, the journey with these clients was nothing short of enjoyable—an inspiring collaboration with a family who brought warmth, clarity, and passion to every stage of the design process. The result is a home that reflects their personality and lifestyle in every detail.

The exterior blends modern farmhouse styling with commanding stone feature walls, while inside, a symphony of premium finishes takes centre stage—ABI Interiors’ brass gold fittings, statement stonework, and expansive open spaces that breathe elegance.

At the heart of the home is a gourmet kitchen, seamlessly connected to a fully equipped butler’s pantry, perfect for entertaining. The private master wing is a true retreat, complete with his-and-hers walk-in robes, each thoughtfully tailored with luxurious detailing, storage, and style.

The layout balances beauty with functionality, from a walk-in cold room designed for rural practicality to an authentic Irish bar that invites celebration and connection. Every corner of this home has been crafted with purpose and passion.

This project is a proud reflection of what can be achieved when outstanding design meets incredible clients. We’re honoured to have played a part in bringing this dream home to life—a space that will be loved, lived in, and passed down for generations.

2016

Positioned on the edge of Rockhampton’s CBD, The Barracks Hotel was envisioned as a landmark destination in Central Queensland—where history, luxury, and design excellence converge. Set on the historically significant, heritage-listed site of the former Drill Hall Complex, this prestigious development celebrated over a century of design legacy while embracing a bold new vision for the region’s expanding commercial and tourism sectors.

Built in 1906 and once home to the Rockhampton 42nd RQR, the site at 40 Archer Street holds deep historical and cultural importance. The original barracks were to be tastefully restored to their former grandeur, forming the foundation for a master planned hospitality precinct that honours the past while looking firmly toward the future.

The award-winning design concept included:

• 115 luxurious guest rooms
• A high-end day spa and wellness retreat
• Formal dining and alfresco restaurant venues
• An aquatic centre designed for leisure and relaxation
• A state-of-the-art multi-use convention and function centre
• Dedicated wedding ceremony locations
• Extensive heritage restoration, preserving the site’s original grandeur

More than a hotel, The Barracks was conceived as a cultural statement—a place where legacy met lifestyle, and building design served as a bridge between the region’s past and its future potential.

A Flagship for Growth and Experience

Envisioned as a flagship hotel and event destination, The Barracks Hotel was set to support Rockhampton’s continued growth as a central hub for both business and leisure. Amid Central Queensland’s unprecedented expansion, the project promised to become a cornerstone of this evolution, enhancing the city’s tourism appeal while delivering a timeless experience of cultural significance.

While the development unfortunately did not proceed to construction due to wider economic forces, the design was widely recognised for its innovation, integrity, and cultural sensitivity. It was awarded the Building Designers Association of Australia Winner of the 2016 Unbuilt Work category, a prestigious honour affirming the project’s design merit and visionary intent.