Inspiring a new way of living.
Designing healthy homes & commercial spaces for people who care about the way they live.
We are sustainable Architects based in Byron Bay specialising in hempcrete & rammed earth architecture, building biology, natural materials, recycling timber and carbon sequestering.
Our aim is to deliver highly insulative breathable buildings, that maintain a handcrafted aesthetic, evoking connection to the natural environment.
With a passion for environmental and health conscious residential and commercial architecture we strive to Inspire change.
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We create homes that are healthy and environmentally responsive for those who love a more soulful experience.
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Our hospitality and commercial projects seek to inspire balance with the natural environment through creativity and sustainability.
Our Offering
Balanced Earth Architects provide full architectural and interior design services for clients locally and internationally.
Our services range from concept design, gaining your approval’s through to construction documentation and project delivery.
We are passionate about the health of the environment and your project
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Our passive designs are often solar powered, off grid septic managed, rainwater harvesting, minimized toxicity and built with highly insulative carbon negative materials.
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Our low tox natural breathable wall systems help manage mold, heat and moisture. We embrace natural materials, minimal EMF, low VOC’s and design with building biology principles.
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We create spaces with hempcrete, rammed earth, recycled timber, natural lime based renders and low VOC finishes throughout.
We feel a responsibility to inspire change in designing and building in balance with the environment and our health. Our vision is to share this knowledge and educate with our architectural work, hopefully inspiring a more sustainable balanced direction for our industry.
Sun Ranch Byron Bay
Want to chat more about your upcoming project?
Meet our team
We are a passionate team of experienced Architects and Designers based on the Northern Rivers of NSW.
Our Team recognise the impact that passive design principles, materials biology and construction methods can have on the people who use them. We also appreciate that the amount of carbon our industry contributes to the environment and wish to be pro-active with creative sequestering solutions. We believe in sharing our experiences through our work to inspire the balance we all seek.
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Architect and Director.
Dipl. Architecture | London
BA (Hons) Architecture | Liverpool
Michael has over 30 years experience in the industry. He has worked for TPBennett and KSS in London, Hassell Architects and Lausanne Property in Sydney and was head of property for Andrew Forrest in Western Australia.
Michael has also involved in residential and commercial projects across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, as well as island nations in the South Pacific. He has worked with prominent brands and organizations.
In addition to his experience as an Architect, Michael is a co-founder of Balanced Earth Pty Ltd, a Byron Bay building firm specialising in Hempcrete and low impact construction. His decades of experience in the building industry lend a unique offering to projects including up to date knowledge on costing and creative use of materials.
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Michael is an engaged member of the community. He established a regional football coaching program OTB for children ranging from novice to elite and lends his years of industry experience to charitable causes such as the S.H.I.F.T Project, who provide unique individual support and education for at risk women.
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Design Director.
Master of architecture | Bordeaux, France
BA Architecture | Bordeaux , France
Leo trained in France and has over nine years of architectural design experience in Australia, including for Melbourne firms McGlashan Everest Architects and Edwards Moore Architects, before joining Balanced Earth in 2016.
Fusing European contemporary style with creative design solutions, Leo has delivered many residential projects at Balanced Earth and has been the lead designer on high-profile commercial projects such as The Sunseeker Motel and The Innovation Centre at the Cape Byron Rudolph Steiner School.
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Leo volunteers with Marine Rescue NSW and manages the Kids Plot at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, a free community space for children & parents, providing mentorship through the joy of creative play.
Leo regularly joins the site teams on Hempcrete installation days and he and his partner built a Hempcrete dwelling on family land.
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Building Designer.
Bachelor of Industrial Design
Certificate of Building Design
Jamie is a building designer by trade but brings to the team a comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience of construction, from site set out through to carpentry, steel fabrication, concreting and formwork.
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Jamie grew up in Manly but is a long time local of the Byron Shire, where he surfs daily and designed and built his architectural home from shipping containers.
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NSW Registered Architect
Master Architecture R.M.I.T
Bachelor Architectural Design R.M.I.T
Passive House (passivehaus) Certified Designer
Over the last 15 years, Mercedes has gained experience working for some of Australia’s most highly regarded architecture firms, (Denton Corker Marshall, Hayball, Troppo Architect) before shifting focus and refining her interest while contributing to smaller firms (Templeton Architects, Zaher Architects) where a new level of more intimate experience in the residential sector was obtained.
Mercedes acquired her Master's and Bachelor of Architecture from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and spent time abroad studying in Italy and Austria, as well as exhibiting her work at international architecture exhibitions including the 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture. She has taught at Monash University and sat on the Victorian Chapter Council at the Australian Institute of Architects, 2013-2015 as the EmAGN/ SONAA graduate representative. More locally, Mercedes has volunteered with organizations such as Creative Mullumbimby and Women's Village Collective, and is an elected member of the Place Planning Collective at Byron Shire Council. In 2016 Mercedes sought a sea change, opting for a more balanced lifestyle in the Byron Shire where she was able to better explore her interest in the outdoors, ceramics, film, and piano alongside her architectural work.
Mercedes is particularly passionate about high-performance, low-energy, healthy homes, completing her Passive House Designer Certification in 2021, and is eager to see passive house intelligence blend with the earthy beauty and performance of Hempcrete.
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Landscape Architect.
BA Landscape Architecture
Paul began his professional career at renowned landscape architecture firm EDAW. There he developed his design and industry skills on some of the most significant landscape and urban design projects in Australia.
Paul is interested in blurring the line between the built form and landscape so that the garden, large or small can be integrated with the home and experienced as an outdoor ‘room’ by combining traditional design methods with digital 3D modelling to help conceptualise and enhance the design.
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Paul is a founding member of Dustyeski, the ‘fake genuine Russian choir' who are a collective pillar of the local community, and more recently a globally viral sensation.
Discuss a potential project with us.
We’d love to chat.
What our clients say..
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Michael Leung is a talented creative and effective architect. He designed for me a sophisticated beautiful three bedroom house predominately made from hemp and the result was fantastic. His expertise especially in creating healthy homes makes Michael a unique architect today. The house was on a tricky sloping piece of land and Michael was able to fulfill the brief and accomodate my needs perfectly. Not to mention very easy and fun to work with. I highly recommend his abilities.
Richard Lubner - Zara springs
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Working with Balanced Earth Architects was an absolute pleasure! Their collaborative approach to our project was exceptional. They didn't just deliver a solution; they partnered with us every step of the way, valuing our input and insights. Their team's dedication and expertise made the entire process smooth and enjoyable. I highly recommend Balanced Earth to anyone seeking a collaborative and results-driven partner.
Jamie Blakey - Sun Ranch
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Michael, Leo and the Balanced Earth team created our “Figtree House” in Skinners Shoot, bringing it from conception to completion in 2021-22. We have a beautiful, unique and sustainable Hempcrete home, which has proven to provide passive solar ( and therefore warmth in winter), and cool enough to not requiring air con in summer. A truly unique and healthy environment in which to live, and a wonderful testament to Michael and his team.
Brian and Marianne - Figtree House
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