Specialist Architect for Class 2 Buildings (Apartments / Townhouses)
We are Apartment & Townhouse Specialists.
In July 2021, the NSW Government introduced new regulations requiring certain renovation work in Class 2 buildings to be designed and signed off by registered Design Practitioners, a specialisation created in the industry to provide greater accountability and compliance throughout the project.
Most apartment and townhouse renovations fail not because of design; they fail because of what wasn’t considered early.
We focus on identifying opportunities and risks upfront…
…before they become costly problems.
Hello! I’m Linette Salbashian, a registered architect and Class 2 Architectural Design Practitioner. I help apartment and townhouse owners like you navigate design, strata approvals and construction with confidence - so you can focus on creating a home that works better for the way you would like to live.
After years working exclusively in multi-residential buildings, I've seen how easily projects can become delayed by strata requirements, building regulations, consultant coordination and unforeseen construction issues.
Projects we specialise in:
Apartment and Townhouse Renovations
Apartment Amalgamations
Apartment Balcony Enclosures
Apartment Block Airspace, Attics and Rooftop Extensions
As a mother of three, I understand the importance of creating a home that supports everyday life; one that is functional and designed around the way you actually live, not simply what looks good in a magazine.
Our Clients
Many of our clients are at a transition point - downsizing, right-sizing, upgrading, or preparing a home for the next phase of life, often investing significant money into their properties.
At this stage, the goal isn’t only to renovate or design something beautiful.
It’s knowing where to invest - and where not to - without getting it wrong and without over-capitalising, so the project adds real value.
Apartment renovations come with hidden constraints that can impact approvals, buildability, and ultimately, how much value you add. That’s where we come in.
“Linette is a pleasure to work with and we have found her to be reliable, conscientious, enthusiastic and respectful.
She listens to her clients and is full of ideas in order to get the best outcome. She is very skilful especially in the interior design aspect. We are glad that she was recommended to us.”
Sylvia Watt, Co-founder & Managing Director of the Bush Chemist, Cremorne Pt Townhouse
Cremorne Point Townhouse Project (Class 2)
Start with Clarity and Due Diligence.
Start with our most popular service.
Due Diligence
Apartment & Townhouse Project Fundamentals
This service is the foundation of every project:
- 60–90 minute on‑site session to clarify scope, design direction and to discuss ideas
- Planning and compliance review by our in-house Town Planner to find ways to avoid a DA, to fast track approvals and to conduct a risk assessment for the likeliness of approvals.
- Advice on how to move forwards with no or little approvals (exempt development) by tweaking the project pathway
- Builder input on cost and buildability
- Real Estate Valuer input on focus areas to maximise renovations and avoid over capitalisation
- Consultant and engineering requirements so you can plan for project team costs
- Strata bi-laws and solicitor coordination - to assess the likeliness of strata approvals and provide them a clear scope of works
- Clear next steps
A suite of distinct services designed to
reduce risk, improve decision-making, and help you move forward with confidence.
1
Due Diligence
Apartment & Townhouse Project Fundamentals
We guide you to make informed decisions before committing significant time and money to design, approvals, or construction.
2
Design & Approvals
We transform ideas and opportunities into approved designs while navigating council and strata approvals needed to bring them to life.
3
Construction Documentation
You receive detailed documentation that gives builders, consultants, and certifiers the information needed to accurately price, approve, and build with confidence.
4
Build Support
We support you through builder selection, construction queries, and site decisions so your renovation stays aligned with the approved design.
Engage us for a single service or partner with us throughout the entire journey - from initial feasibility and strata approvals through to construction and completion.
Lavender Bay Townhouse Project (Class 2)
Our Difference
Builders involved early at project milestones
We collaborate with trusted class 2 builders and building practitioners from the start not at the end. This ensures:
Realistic cost expectations
Buildable design solutions
Value management to meet budgets
Fewer surprises during construction
Smoother, more efficient process
“…is also notable for its cross-dicsiplanary structure. With in-house town planning expertise and coordination with builders during the design process, the firm delivers designs that are aligned with budget constraints and construction feasibility from the onset.”
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Featured in Forbes Magazine
Full article Link: SALBASHIAN ARCHITECTS: Redefining Apartment Living In Sydney - Forbes
Case Studies:
Here are some of our most recent case studies.
Pyrmont Street - Adding Floor Space Without a DA
Manly Apartment Amalgamation - $17K Cost Saving from Home Warranty Insurance Checks
Manly Apartment Amalgamation - Avoiding an Unnecessary $6K Council Levy
Manly - $30K Saved in a 2-Hour Design + Builder Review
Manly - Turning an Awkward Tight Bedroom into a Flexible Multi-Purpose Space
Paddington - More Value From the Existing Footprint, Award-Winning Project
Paddington - Catching the Approval Issue Before Construction and Unapproved Works, Award-Winning Project
Bronte - Avoiding a Costly Property Purchase Mistake
Woollahra Townhouse - Turning an Unrealistic Budget Into a Viable Brief
Eastern Suburbs Airspace / Unused Area - Finding Hidden Property Value Above Apartment Blocks
Cammeray - Avoiding Costly Approval Surprises On Site from ‘Exempt’ Works
Cremorne Point Unit (Class 2)
What Our Clients Say
To access our real-time 5-star Google reviews, visit this link
Click on the arrows below to read some of the reviews:
Awards:
Associations:
As Featured In:
Speaker at:
Why choose SALBASHIAN ARCHITECTS?
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As principal of SALBASHIAN ARCHITECTS, I am a registered architect and have 15 years of experience in Australian residential architecture, having worked in the property development industry, mostly in small spaces and interiors.
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I offer a full scope of design services; architectural concept, design practitioner services, town planning, detail interior design, project management, liaison with engineers, builders and authorities, and adding finishing touches with furniture and accessories. I have a small but mighty team who assist in bringing it all together.
This means that clients do not need to hire separate interior designers, town planners, building code consultants and project managers, which if done would push design fees up due to minimising economies of scale.
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Builders are involved from the very early design discussions and I can help you find one if you require.
This helps with receiving good cost estimates through each stage of the design process and also ensures the buildability of the concepts. The builders involved could help create efficiencies and discuss construction methodologies suited to your budget.
This also helps you get to know your builder rather than hire one right at the end of the design process that you haven’t tested before.
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I pass on my trade discounts in materials, fixtures, products and furniture to my clients instead of taking the full commission from suppliers. I believe in transparency with clients of involved costs and commissions when specifying their home.
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Rest assured that you will not be palmed off to anyone else on my team, as I will focus on going along the whole journey with you. This way, you work with the same person from start to end.
Unfortunately, a lot of larger design firms start with the principal architect winning clients over and continue with the projects getting passed down to juniors, and you are not guaranteed to work with the same person throughout the entire process.
At SALBASHIAN ARCHITECTS, you will receive a boutique design firm experience of personalised care and attention to your project. To achieve this, I choose projects carefully instead of working with anyone and everyone.
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As I work in a highly specialised area in architecture, I have made great connections with consultants that can be involved in your project, such as class 2 engineers, builders, certifiers, town planners, BCA consultants, and more.
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Some of my clients live hours away and own properties in Sydney that require designing, I am able to work flexibly through situations like this. I provide 3D digital mood boards, 3D building perspectives, and we can have video calls and organise project milestones and consultations around clients’ availabilities. I also work with a builder who provides imagery access of the construction progress to clients from the comfort of their home away from Sydney.
Ready to start?
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