Atelier Chen Hung

We couldn't have been happier with the service we received from Melody and James. They were always professional, listened to our brief and had high attention to detail. They came up with some fantastic ideas to suit our block of land. We would highly recommend them.

Melody from Atelier Chen Hung was very approachable and worked with me to assist me in achieving the best solution for the design of an extension to my home that was within my budget. The result was a pavilion or pod that created an additional bedroom and bathroom and was designed to flow with the lines of the existing structure (built in 1988). Her design took into account the best orientation, views and cross flow ventilation whilst protecting the extension from the harsh western sun. She also assisted in creating a colour scheme that would blend in, thereby creating an illusion of the extension "disappearing" into the surrounding vegetation. She was considerate of the fact that I wanted to remain at home as I aged, and her design addressed the Livable Housing Guidelines for adapting to changing circumstances as I became less mobile in the future.

A-CH are an informed design studio engaged with relevant questions about what does best contemporary design do, how and why? Elegantly resolving the problem of hillslope access to my home has since blossomed into a revered collaboration and friendship. A-CH is integral to the research development of micro-architectures in my Fine Art practice, bringing critical sensitivity to the design context. Generous engagement by A-CH with processes of architecture and contemporary art education, with tertiary and public institutions, and use of film to communicate material practices, reflects breadth and depth of commitment to design and its relationship to integrity in the broader community.

When my husband and I started talking about a small renovation to our 100 year old cottage for our growing family in Highgate Hill we really didn’t know where to start. We engaged several architects to discuss concept designs and remained uncertain about the direction of our future family home. By chance we were recommended to reach out to Melody and James from Atelier Chen Hung (A-CH) from a renowned Brisbane stone masoner. Their award-winning prior work, including the globally recognised Keperra house, made it clear that this was an architectural practice with very unique design sensibilities - a modern, sophisticated and minimal style that we instantly loved. From our initial meeting with Melody and James we were certain they were the team to help design our dream intimate family home. Previous architects had made the prospect of a modest, elegant extension on a small budget seem impossible. Melody and James were respectful of our budget from the beginning, and reassured us that through clever design and material choices, a luxurious and practical extension was very achievable. They were extremely professional and respectful of our thoughts and ideas, even though we really didn’t have a clear idea of what we needed. After our initial meeting they quickly produced a beautifully elegant concept design which showcased their masterful architectural expertise. Subsequent meetings with the A-CH team were extremely inspiring, and we loved watching the concept design evolve, and getting to know Melody and James for the kind and generous couple they are. After 12 months of uncertainty about how to extend our house Melody and James has solved all our problems in a few weeks. Their good taste was reflected in the clean lines of the design and natural materials they suggested. The result was a design we remain thrilled with. From concept design to pre-build phase, working with Melody and James has been truly exciting. Their ideas and concepts are art-like in nature, and always well-grounded in architectural theory which they took the time to communicate clearly to us. We could not recommend Melody and James highly enough, and we hope to get the opportunity to go through this exciting process with A-CH again in the future.

The Little House For 30 years I had ideas of building a small, sustainable house for my retirement and had various architects sketch conceptional plans. Atelier Chung was able to take these early ideas and transform them by reincarnating them in contemporary form and then marrying them with the environment on my plot overlooking Kedron Brook in Brisbane. The result was beyond my expectations: high functionality, energy efficiency, sound but unobtrusive security and a very contemporary award-winning look in concrete, glass and timber. Its residents feel it to be spacious and open but its footprint - a mere 45 sqm.