Alexander Symes is a Sydney based registered architect who combines a scientific approach to sustainability with a practical and poetic understanding of crafting a building. Alex and his team are Certified Passive House Designers, and has experience as a Passive House Architect for several projects in various locations around Australia.

With projects across Greater Sydney, the Southern Highlands, South Coast NSW and the Hunter Valley, Alex has experience in designing and crafting comfortable, beautiful spaces to suit a variety of climates and environments.

If you have a project in mind, or just want to talk with an architect about what could be done with your site, feel free to Contact Us.

“Since graduating from the University of New South Wales in 2006, Alexander Symes has been a part of many forums, conferences and mentorship programs, while also producing a diverse portfolio of projects. He has focused on creating a body of work that highlights his personal mission, to advance sustainable architecture and is now a qualified Passive House Designer. Alexander shares his passion for sustainability through lectures, committees, and panels including working with other industry leaders, sharing his wealth of knowledge with future generations to come.”

— 2021 NSW Architecture Awards – Emerging Architect Prize, Australian Institute of Architects, NSW

Advancing Sustainable Architecture

Alexander Symes Architects was founded in 2014 with a mission to advance sustainable architecture. The world’s climate is changing and we believe that architecture must lead the way in changing how we utilise resources to contribute to a sustainable future. This vision for sustainable architecture is layered through all aspects of our practice and through all the stages of a project. This starts with the examination of a project brief to ensure the grounding principles of a project support a sustainable way of life. As the project takes shape, Alex deploys his depth of technical expertise to realise the project to its full potential.

Alex’s technical expertise in building physics and facade system design is built on the experience he gained working in Arup’s Building Physics and Facade Engineer teams from 2010-2014. He has hands-on experience with construction and design for manufacture assembly (DFMA) and a passion for how buildings are put together. Alex has specialist training in the design and delivery of passive houses which we believe offer a pathway towards exceptionally comfortable and healthy homes. Alex loves to collaborate with like-minded individuals and to test the boundaries of how we can challenge the status quo to advance sustainable architecture. 

Alexander Symes Architect Pty Ltd

71-73 Australia Street, Camperdown 2050 NSW

ABN 41600391384

NSW Registered Architect Number 8525
VIC Registered Architect Number 20070

Certified Passive House Designer

NSW Registered Design Practitioner (Class 2 – No. PDP0000885)

Awards

2023

Pepper Tree Passive House | INDE Awards | The Influencer | Shortlisted

ReGeneration House | Institute of Architects NSW Awards | Sustainable Architecture | Award Winner

Music Room | Institute of Architects NSW Awards | Sustainable Architecture | Shortlisted

Music Room | Sustainability Awards | Single Dwelling Alterations | Highly Commended

Music Room | Timber Design Awards | Listed for Excellence in Timber Application

2022

Pepper Tree Passive House | Sustainability Awards | Best of the Best | Winner

Pepper Tree Passive House | Sustainability Awards | Single Dwelling (Alterations) | Winner

Pepper Tree Passive House | Institute of Architects NSW Awards | Sustainable Architecture | Award Winner

Pepper Tree Passive House | Houses Awards | Sustainability | Shortlisted

Pepper Tree Passive House | Houses Awards | Alterations & Additions (under 200sqm) | Shortlisted

Pepper Tree Passive House | Habitus Awards | People’s Choice | Winner

2021

People Parkers | Sustainability Awards | Public, Urban & Landscape | Winner

Light House | Sustainability Awards | Single Dwelling (Alterations) | Winner

Emerging Architect Prize | Institute of Architects NSW Awards | Winner

2020

Upside Down Akubra House | Institute of Architects NSW Awards | Residential Architecture – Houses New | Commendation

Upside Down Akubra House | Institute of Architects NSW Awards | COLORBOND® Award for Steel Architecture | Commendation

Upside Down Akubra House | Habitus House of the Year | House of the Year 2020

Upside Down Akubra House | Sustainability Awards | Single Dwelling (New) | Winner

Upside Down Akubra House | INDE Awards | The Living Space | Honourable Mention

Upside Down Akubra House | Housing Industry Association NSW | GreenSmart Sustainable Home | Winner

Upside Down Akubra House | Housing Industry Association Australian | GreenSmart Custom Built | Winner

Upside Down Akubra House | Housing Industry Association Northern NSW Region | GreenSmart Sustainable home | Winner

Upside Down Akubra House | Master Builders Association NSW | Energy Efficiency – Housing ($800k-$2m) | Winner

2019

L-House | Lysaght Australia Awards | Lysaght Zenith Cladding Award | Winner

2018

L-House | Master Builders Australia | Environmental Management Award | NSW Winner (In association with Blue Eco Homes)

2017

L-House | Housing Industry Association Australian | GreenSmart Awards, Custom Built | Finalist

L-House | Housing Industry Association NSW | Housing Awards, Custom Built | Finalist

2016

Sustainability Awards | Best Newcomer Award

2015

Short Film Co-Winner of Sydney Architecture Festival short film competition |  NSW Architects Registration Board

2014

Butterfly House  | Master Builders Australia | Boral National Environment & Energy efficiency Residential Building Award | National Winner (In association with Matt Jolly Builder)

2012

Austinmer Beach House | Master Builders Australia | Boral National Environment & Energy efficiency Residential Building Award | National Winner (In association with Matt Jolly Builder)

Austinmer Beach House | Think Brick | Reuse Award