cristina gomes architecture and design

26/05/2026

FROM THIS → TO THAT
IC House Stairs
Designed to bring light to all levels of the home

From setting up the stairs location to the finished product there is a great deal of knowledge in between.

The new steel staircase was designed to connect the three levels of the house from one central location.

The U shape configuration creates a generous landing that breaks the effort of going up into two shorter sequences, making this staircase far more comfortable to use day to day.

Open treads allow light from the skylight above and upper windows to filter through all levels of the home, transforming the staircase into a vertical tunnel of light.

One detail most people miss:

Because the walls surrounding it are concrete, the step lights had to be precisely located even before the stairs was installed.

This is when precise drawings and documentation will assist the builder and become essential for a successful result.

Stairs build by : Ozstairs
Design and Detail : Cristina Gomes

28/04/2026

Your kitchen might be in the wrong place.

Before thinking about finishes or appliances,
the most important decision is where the kitchen sits within the home.

It defines flow, light and connection with surrounding spaces.
And those are the things that shape how you live in your home every day.

Locating the kitchen correctly is one of the key questions we resolve during the concept design stage.

You don’t want to miss it.

Read the full article :
“The kitchen - why selecting the right location is key to your floor plan”
on our website. Link in bio.

14/04/2026

What if your home had moments like this?

In this project, the ensuite was designed around a softly formed freestanding bath positioned to capture the stunning views.

With plenty of natural light and a sense of openness this space allows for relaxation and enjoyment.

13/04/2026

TERRACE HOUSE - rear room transformation

A small, underperforming bedroom completely reimagined.
In this renovation, the original rear bedroom was constrained with lower ceilings and limited space.
Likely part of an earlier extension, it lacked the generous dimensions and details you could find in other rooms of the Victorian terrace.

The brief was clear:

create a bedroom that could grow with a young family, from childhood into teenage years and beyond.

The response was not only to add extra space but rethink it entirely.

We proposed a larger bedroom, more storage, higher cathedral ceiling, a lovely balcony and an ensuite completing the plan for a unique bedroom.

What once was a tight bedroom became one of the most generous and enjoyable rooms in the house.

This is one of those interventions where just a couple of extra squaremeters and a much better internal layout, allowed for a total reconfiguration.

Do you have a space in your house that isn’t working as it should?
It may not need more, just a different approach.

08/04/2026

08/04/2026

Would you design your home like this?

Sliding doors

30/03/2026

From model to home.

From the physical model developed during the council approval stage to the completed house, there is a great deal of knowledge in between.

The first image shows the physical model required by Woollahra council as part of the Development Application.

Physical models are in my opinion one of the most valuable tools we have to evaluate form, proportion and the overall presence of a building.

While materials are not yet represented [model are often produced in a singular colour] , it gives architects the early possibility of working on what matter most at this stage: balancing the shapes and proportions, size and placement of openings, and how the building will sit within its street context.

For interior spaces, digital models are often more effective. But for understanding the building as a whole, its massing and relationship to the street, physical models are incredibly powerful.

Once the main shapes are locked in, the next layer of complexity will start to be resolved:

bringing in the softness of the different materials, the relationship with the natural light and shade, the transparency of the glazing. The subtle qualities that bring the architecture to reality.

What begins as an abstract study gradually becomes a place to live.

From This → To That | Process in Architecture

Model

27/03/2026

AZ House - kids study - A space designed as part of daily life.

By enlarging the corridor by just 60 centimetres we created the opportunity for a dedicated kids study and a long, beautifully integrated joinery.

The clients wished that the kids desk were not inside their bedrooms.

Smart idea, in my opinion. And one I’am hearing more often from families with young kids and teenagers.

It allows bedrooms to stay as place for rest, while study becomes part of the shared rhythm of the home.

When chosing the location, consider good natural light, connected but in a quiet space, and enough room for plenty of storage.

So what did you think? Would you prefer if your kids desk was inside or outside their bedroom? Let me know on the comments! 👇

10/03/2026

From construction dust to a space designed for rest.

Between construction and the calm of the completed home, there is a great deal of professional thinking.
In this room, proportion, light and material were carefully balanced to create a quiet and restful atmosphere.
The location of the main bedroom and ensuite was considered to maximise the enjoyment of the harbour view.
Greenery along the large windows creates a soft edge and a gentle transition to the lower portion of the house.

From This → To That | Process in Architecture

28/02/2026

If you’ve been thinking about starting the design of your home but feel unsure whether you have “enough” information, this post is for you.

In reality, most clients don’t arrive with a precise vision or a defined style, and they don’t need to.

You don’t have to have all the answers before you begin.

In this carousel, I outline seven things you don’t need to decide before speaking to an architect — and what is genuinely helpful to prepare for your first meeting instead.

If you’ve been waiting for certainty, consider this your encouragement to start the conversation.