Kister Architects

We want to create beautiful spaces with you.

Work with us and, you receive the personalised attention of a design focused boutique firm. Whatever your design challenge, we'll integrate the unique characteristics and opportunities of your site and understand your lifestyle to create a home that you love.

We love the challenge of creating timeless functional homes for you.

What is your challenge?

Lacking space or natural light?

Disconnected from your environment?

Do you have a tricky site?

Are you restricted by a heritage overlay?

Or you simply don’t know where to start?

Get to know us

We are a boutique design focused architecture practice based in Melbourne.

Engaged in projects large and small, our studio specialises in high quality residential architecture and interiors.

We design spaces that are beautiful in their own right, whilst providing a blank canvas for clients to live their dream. We use materials that are appropriate for the site that will age well. We believe buildings should be energy efficient and space efficient. Each of our projects is unique to the particular client and site. We listen and respond to, the client’s brief, the site’s typography, memory and context. “Same, same” is not in our lexicon. We seek out new materials and use everyday materials in new and unexpected/innovative ways and always strive for world best practices. We consider the whole project, integrating architecture, interiors and landscape for a seamless environment.

We are known for our subtle detailing, lighting and volumes that create unexpected moments, spaciousness and intimacy. We have extensive experience in dealing with tricky sites, local councils and heritage issues, which we believe is pivotal in order to facilitate the path from concept design through to building and completion. We make sure that we are on site collaborating with the owner and builder to ensure that the design intent is carried throughout the process.

Our designs are driven by Biophilic principals, an approach that seeks to connect building occupants more closely with nature and the environment. We are passionate about creating enriched environments that feed and nourish our health and promote well-being through space and architecture.

Architecture is not just about a sketch on a table napkin: it’s an exciting process that starts with an initial concept and evolves into functional and beautiful buildings. We create spaces that surprise and delight with the constant changes of seasons and light. We believe construction is a handmade art. Architecture’s wonder is in paring back the design so that it not only is an object of beauty, but becomes a vessel for its intended function.

ILANA KISTER

Director/Design Architect

Ilana established, Kister Architects, in 2001.

Ilana is passionate about design, the practice of architecture and client relationships. She is responsible for the full range of practice activities including client liaison, briefing, concept design through to design development, documentation and project delivery. Working in a number of local council areas and across numerous project types and scales, Ilana has developed extensive knowledge and experience in relation to planning and project detailing.

Ilana's designs have a particular focus on integrating architecture, interiors and landscape for a seamless environment whilst prioritising subtle detailing, lighting and volumes that create moments, spaciousness and intimacy.

RMIT BArch Hons

DANIELLE FEDDEN

Design Draftsperson

Danielle has 20 years of experience across a range of high end residential, multi-residential and multi million dollar commercial projects.

Associate diploma in applied science (architectural drafting)