Who We Are
Experience the Difference
DeBu Studios is a registered building design practice based in the Illawarra, headed up by Joel Etherington. Joel is an award-winning designer whose recent projects have been recognised nationally by the Building Design Association of Australia. Formally, a builder, Joel transitioned to become a building designer 15 years ago and finds an equal mix of pragmatism, building sense and imagination to design homes which are creative and suit to fit within the needs of building regulations and budget.
With a Diploma of Architectural Technology and an Advanced Diploma of Sustainable Building Design, Joel’s knowledge places us at the forefront of innovative construction and bespoke design.
We proudly serve clients across Illawarra, Wollongong, Southern Sydney, the Southern Highlands and Greater NSW. Every project is crafted with precision and tailored to your lifestyle, harmonising with your chosen environment.
Call us today on 0416 411 094 to bring your vision to life.
“Joel designed exactly what we wanted even if I didn’t know that. Challenged us on another design and glad we did. Committed and communicated well. Joel does some great work.”
- Trevor (Owner)
Our Process
Initial Inquiry
Once we receive your initial inquiry via phone or email, you’ll receive a follow-up email with my portfolio and design questionnaire to help me understand your goals and project needs.
Review & Site Information
After reviewing the materials, we encourage you to complete the questionnaire and schedule a site meeting, as well as providing any supporting documents—such as a mood board, inspiration images, or relevant site information—to help me get a clearer picture of your vision.
Preliminary Site Research
I’ll conduct initial research into your property to identify planning controls, overlays, and site-specific restrictions. Once your completed questionnaire and any supporting information is
received, I’ll prepare a detailed fee proposal tailored to your project.
Acceptance of Fee Proposal
If you're happy to proceed, you can formally accept the fee proposal. At this point, we’ll schedule a site meeting where I can take measurements (if required) and begin the next steps.
Site Surveys & Design Brief
We will coordinate any necessary surveys, such as feature surveys, flood certificates, or bushfire reports. At the same time, we’ll begin shaping the design brief using your questionnaire responses, mood board, and key priorities.
Concept Design Development
Using your brief, budget, and site conditions, I’ll develop a tailored Concept Design. From this early stage, I’ll also prepare a budget estimate based on typical build costs to help guide decision-making. You’ll receive a set of floor plans and a 3D digital model shared via web link, allowing you to explore the design interactively and provide feedback.
Budget Alignment & Design Refinement
We strongly recommend engaging a builder early in the process to help align the design with your actual construction budget. To support this collaboration, DeBu Studios offers unlimited design revisions throughout the design phase, ensuring your ideas are refined and resolved with both creativity and practicality in mind.
Guiding your project with clarity and a whole-picture vision
With more than a decade of hands-on residential construction experience, I design with a builder’s perspective. Every line is grounded in practicality, buildability, and real-world insight, so your home isn’t just beautiful on paper—it works in the real world.
When you work with DeBu Studios, you’re not just hiring a designer—you’re partnering with someone who sees the whole picture. I take the time to understand how you live, what inspires you, and what your space needs today and into the future. My aim is to elevate your brief and create a home that feels entirely your own.
Beyond design, I manage the full process—from 3D visualisations and council approvals to construction details and on-site builder meetings—ensuring your project stays cohesive and considered from start to finish. This is more than a job to me; it’s a craft, and I stay invested until your vision is fully realised.
