About Red Box Architects
Red Box Architects derives its name from the native NSW and Victoria eucalypt tree. Red Box reflects our focus on “out of the box” cutting edge architectural design. This means creating designs with shape, colour and texture to complement the natural environment of the rugged surf coast to the hard edge of the inner city backdrop.
Our mission is to “transform your home into a sanctuary
with beautiful spaces that you will adore living in”.
Red Box Architects derives its name from the native NSW and Victoria eucalypt tree. Red Box reflects our focus on “out of the box” cutting edge architectural design. This means creating designs with shape, colour and texture to complement the natural environment of the rugged surf coast to the hard edge of the inner city backdrop.
OUR DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
Our philosophy has not changed since we first opened our doors in 1990 as Sheppard & Dwyer Architects. We always have and will be true to our mission – to inspire our clients with individual carefully considered design solutions that suit their personality, lifestyle and environment.
We do this by combining our traditional values of integrity, honesty and respect, with our creative thinking, technical excellence and cost conscious construction solutions.
At Red Box Architects we focus on creating designs that are buildable, cost effective and environmentally sustainable, within a framework of an integrated team culture committed to giving value to our clients.
It is for these reasons that Red Box Architects has received numerous Excellence Awards from the Australian Institute of Architects and is an architectural practice based on 100% referrals and repeat long-term clients.
YOUR TRUSTED PARTNERS
At Red Box Architects, we focus on creating and maintaining strong long-term relationships, and we believe that listening is the key. That is why we visit our clients many times, to deeply understand their particular needs so we can create their dream solution.
We are always available to our clients, providing advice, hands-on support and contract administration – from the initial consultation phase, design brief discussion, feasibility design through to construction completion. This means we give our clients peace of mind because we take care of everything.
ENJOY WORKING WITH US
We’ve created a team of enthusiastic, dynamic and creative architects in our Melbourne office who share the common goal of creating a home that exceeds our client’s expectations. That is why we are passionate about inspiring our clients with unique solutions that complement their personality, lifestyle and environment.
When you work with us, you’ll experience our unique approach to design, which is based on delivering sustainable, unique and affordable projects that are innovative, practical and constructable.
It is our collaborative approach, the cornerstone of our culture, that is the reason why our clients continue to come back to us.
MEET OUR CREATIVE TEAM
Mark Dwyer - Director & Principal Architect, B.Arch (RMIT) ARBV MAIA
Mark Dwyer is a Principal Architect with 30 years’ experience across a broad range of project types, including Residential extensions; new residences; Institutional buildings; Commercial buildings and Recreational buildings.
His key strength is his ability to problem solve while providing a creative solution to his clients.
Mark is focused on providing designs that are cost effective and practical. His clients appreciate being kept informed the whole way through the project from the start through to project completion.
Mark is passionate about listening to what his clients want to achieve and then pushing the envelope to create the most attractive, innovative and creative designs based on their vision. Since the inception of Red Box Architects in 1990, Mark has led the team with Michael, focusing on projects in the Melbourne metropolitan area; Semi-rural areas; Mornington Peninsula; Geelong; Surf Coast and Country Victoria.
Before Red Box Architects, Mark worked at “David Demsky Architect.”
Michael Sheppard - Director & Principal Architect, B.Arch (UMelb) ARBV MAIA
Michael Sheppard is a Principal Architect with 37 years’ experience across a broad range of building types, including Residential; Institutional; Recreational; Commercial; Industrial and Agricultural.
His key strength is his ability to closely collaborate with his clients to create designs that inspire, excite and motivate.
Michael is focused on providing designs that are constructable, practical and to an achievable budget. He is a deep thinker, a good listener and a problem solver who creates interesting “out of the box” spaces.
Michael is passionate about turning his clients’ vision into a beautiful sanctuary, which he does by working closely with builders to ensure the designs are constructed as intended. Since the inception of Red Box Architects in 1990, Michael has led the team with Mark, focusing on projects in the Melbourne metropolitan area; Semi-rural areas; Mornington Peninsula; Geelong; Surf Coast and Country Victoria.
Before Red Box Architects, Michael was the sole practitioner of “Michael Sheppard Architect.”
Testimonials
, Dalrymples Guest Cottages,
“Michael designed our home, four B&B guest cottages and separate holiday cottages after we lost our original properties in the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.
Our home definitely has the “WOW” factor. It has a light and airy feel, and we especially love the curves. Everyone that comes over is amazed at how beautiful and different the house is.
The design is exactly what we wanted, my dream home, inspired by the houses Terry had built… beautiful, sustainable and easy-to-live in.
We would absolutely recommend Michael because we love our home and cottages. As very visual people who love beautiful things it is very enjoyable to wake up every morning to our home with its stunning form.”
,
“The house Michael designed on our vineyard at Gembrook has been our haven. It has given us calm warmth and protection. Everyone who visits feels its personality and beauty.
Michael created a home that is perfectly in tune with the environment… a spread eagle-winged house with soft curves integrating harmoniously with the magnificent view of the Mount Donna Buang ranges.
He took time to listen, understood our needs and create a house that embraced us – a beautiful circular home.
It was a most rewarding experience working with him, and I would absolutely recommend him.”
“I’ve enjoyed building houses with Sheppard & Dwyer for over 20 years, which is a testament to Michael’s character and personality. Most builders only stay with the same architect for four to five years.
What I appreciate most is that Michael’s designs are practical, buildable and that he provides a realistic budget estimate. While many architects are notorious for dramatically underestimating the cost of the build by at least 50%, Michael’s estimates are on target.
Although I work with three architect companies, I refer work to Sheppard & Dwyer because I love the houses Michael designs. In fact, he has designed three of our homes.”
“We wanted to transform our ordinary L-shaped flat roof house into something dramatically different. When we engaged Michael, we told him to “inspire us”, and he did.
The whole look and feel of our home changed with the new curved walls and roof line, making it feel light, modern and unique… giving us the result we wanted.
Michael also designed our “pool house” integrating a gym, stone fireplace and bathroom that complements our home.
We both love our home and have already recommended Sheppard & Dwyer to our friends.”
,
“Our project included a complete refurbishment inside and out of our existing two-storey home in South Yarra.
I really enjoyed working with Mark and appreciated the whole process: from first coming over to have a good look, listening to what I wanted, providing brilliant design ideas and finally managing the construction.
I love the work Mark did!
I relied on Mark from start to the end of construction, which let me “sleep at night” knowing everything was managed professionally. Best of all, Mark kept me informed the whole way through and was always available.
I highly recommend Mark because he is a very honest person, easy to work with and a gentleman.”
,
“We recently sold our home in Deepdene, which was our second commission with Sheppard & Dwyer.
Michael observed that our Californian Bungalow had been a fixture in the neighbourhood for almost 80 years and that this history should be maintained by keeping the streetscape façade and making all the changes behind it.
The renovations provide the flexibility required for modern family living by creating interesting integrated spaces, as well as the “bling” factor inside the home. Michael understood our needs and took time to listen to what we wanted. He made helpful suggestions and used his considerable experience to nail our design… the first time.
We would absolutely recommend Michael, and in fact, he is now working on our third commission as we downsize and move back to the inner suburbs.
We expect our third home will be every bit as successful as those he designed for us previously.”
,
“Our project involved substantial renovations to our two-storey freestanding weatherboard home in McKinnon.
Essentially the entire house was rebuilt. However, the design is sympathetic to the style and character of the home and neighborhood. It feels and looks like the old style Californian bungalow, although now it is a totally new home.
Mark really listened to what I wanted to achieve, and then he pushed the envelope. He created genius!
The design exceeded our expectations with Mark coming up with ideas we had never thought of, leading to our home being short-listed in the Master Builder Awards for Renovation of the Year.
I would absolutely recommend Mark because he is professional, very easy to work with and delivered a genius renovation.”
Our out of the box approach to design can help you achieve you dream home.
REASONS WHY OUR CLIENTS ENJOY WORKING WITH US
We’ve created a team of enthusiastic, dynamic and creative architects in our Melbourne office who share the common goal of creating a home that exceeds our client’s expectations. That is why we are passionate about inspiring our clients with unique solutions that complement their personality, lifestyle and environment.
When you work with us, you’ll experience our unique approach to design, which is based on delivering sustainable, unique and affordable projects that are innovative, practical and constructable.
It is our collaborative approach, the cornerstone of our culture, that is the reason why our clients continue to come back to us.