




Michael Bell Architects is an award-winning architecture firm known for delivering thoughtful residential, rural and heritage projects throughout Agnes Banks and the Hawkesbury. With 25 years of proven experience, we craft homes that respect historical character, respond to rural landscapes and meet complex planning regulations including bushfire, floodplain and heritage overlay requirements.
Schedule 30 Min Free ConsultationWith over 25 years of experience, Michael Bell Architects brings deep expertise to Agnes Banks, with a special focus on heritage buildings and residential architecture. Our work on the Tyreel Stud Homestead showcases our passion for preserving historic details, respecting the Hawkesbury’s rural beauty, and delivering thoughtful, sustainable designs that benefit the community.
Michael Bell Architects has set a benchmark for architectural quality across Agnes Banks and the Hawkesbury for over 25 years. Our portfolio reflects a mastery of rural, residential and heritage design, grounded in a deep understanding of site, history and planning complexity. Each project is an expression of thoughtful form, material integrity and lasting value.
We are known for restoring heritage homesteads with restraint and precision, and for designing rural homes that sit confidently in their landscape. Our work reinterprets traditional rooflines, reinstates original materials like brick and sandstone, and introduces new elements that feel enduring and grounded. Every detail is shaped by context, climate and architectural clarity.
This commitment to excellence has earned formal recognition. We received a National Trust NSW Award for heritage conservation, and our work has been featured in leading publications including The Wall Street Journal, Kanebridge Quarterly and Australian Country Magazine. These honours reflect a body of work that combines design rigour with regional identity and architectural depth.
Michael Bell Architects has earned national recognition for conservation architecture that respects and reactivates historical buildings. Guided by the Burra Charter, our approach is curatorial, precise, and deeply contextual. The National Trust NSW Award affirms our commitment to preserving regional heritage while adapting historic homes for contemporary life across Berry and the Shoalhaven.
Preserve Agnes Banks’s historical charm with our expert restorations, blending timeless heritage with the functionality of modern living.
From family homes to luxury additions, our designs enhance life style while aligning with Agnes Banks’s architectural character.
We prioritise Eco-friendly materials and energy efficiency, designing sustainable, forward-thinking homes for Sydney’s urban environment.
Our design process in Agnes Banks begins with a deep understanding of the land and how you want to live. We visit the site, observe its natural features and listen carefully to your goals. Sunlight, slope, access, soil and views all shape our response. From the floodplains near the Hawkesbury River to rural lots close to the Cumberland Plain Woodland, the landscape defines how we approach the architecture.
With 25 years of experience in Hawkesbury, we know how to navigate local planning requirements with precision. We work confidently within Hawkesbury City Council’s Local Environmental Plan and Development Control Plan. Our team addresses flood-affected land, bushfire zoning and heritage overlays early, so that compliance is seamless and approvals are predictable.
Each project is designed to reflect place, purpose and longevity. We align form and proportion to the site, choose materials that belong in the landscape and shape spaces to connect with the outdoors. Every detail contributes to a home that is practical, enduring and informed by both your vision and the distinct rural character of Agnes Banks.
Master Builder
It has been my pleasure to work with Michael Bell and his office over the past 20 years. He has a unique sensitivity to clients, tradesmen and building codes which culminates in the delivery of an outstanding finished residence. While exercising his endless creativity he has a keen sense for practical solutions on and off site which results in much loved homes which are comfortable to live in, and his commercial projects get praise and recognition from all his clients.
“We couldn’t be happier with what Michael and Michele have done,” Linda adds. “In my entire life I never dreamed I would have a home like I do now. The difference that they have made to my functionality is unbelievable. When you live at work, it can be difficult to switch off. But now I can go into the house and look around and know that I have chosen every single thing in it, I feel such a sense of refuge and distance from the business. It’s still right there on the doorstep, but it feels much more removed.”
Principal Architect
Michael has an enthusiastic interest and modern approach to classic design, providing his clients with homes to suit their personalities, family, and lifestyles. He has a deep understanding of how beautifully articulated buildings enrich the lives of current and future owners. With over 30 years’ experience in the high-end residential sector in both Town and Country areas, many people have witnessed their properties transformed into stunningly beautiful and extremely high value investments. Hailing from rural Victoria, Michael's background has instilled in him a resourceful mindset, infusing his approach to both life and work with a pragmatic sensibility. Every client’s needs are different, and this individuality is the cornerstone of the bespoke designs he conceives for them. Michael's passion for exploring less-travelled parts of the world has gifted him with a profound appreciation for a diverse range of architectural styles and their charming idiosyncrasies. Beyond his professional life, he finds joy in riding the waves as an avid surfer and actively participates in grassroots motorsport, making him a multifaceted creative soul.
B Arch, UTS. Reg Arch NSW 6335 Vic 6492
Michele's career spanning three decades, combines the realms of business management and design, delivering invaluable benefits to countless clients. Her journey with MBA, has allowed her to cultivate an extensive knowledge of the design and architecture industry. In her current role as General Manager, Michele orchestrates the seamless operation of MBA day to day. With a strong understanding of our clients' needs, she serves as an exceptional liaison across all facets of our organization. Michele's ability to navigate between financial matters and design solutions, staff necessities, and the meticulous assessment of builder's claims (just to name a few) exemplifies her multifaceted expertise, making her an indispensable asset to MBA.
Assoc Dip Business Management, Dip Interior Design
General Manager
If you’re ready for an initial complimentary consultation with Michael, please book a date and time convenient below.
Initial consultations are limited to 30 mins at no charge, via video call or face to face in our Ultimo studio. If you would like Michael to attend your site, he would be pleased to do so, however an hourly rate fee will be charged.
Michael Bell Architects is known for delivering bespoke residential designs that respect Agnes Banks’s heritage, coastal environment, and community values. With over 25 years of experience in high-end residential architecture, we specialise in homes that balance timeless design with modern functionality.
Yes. We have extensive experience with Woollahra Council’s Local Environmental Plan (LEP), Heritage Conservation Areas, foreshore building lines, and view-sharing policies. We manage the entire approval process, ensuring your project meets local planning controls.
Absolutely. We specialise in sensitive restoration of Federation homes, Art Deco residences, and heritage-listed properties within Agnes Banks’s conservation areas. Our expertise ensures heritage integrity is preserved while enhancing comfort and modern living standards.
Our designs incorporate passive solar principles, water efficiency, local material selection, and resilient building methods suited to Agnes Banks’s marine climate. Sustainability is embedded in both heritage restorations and new contemporary homes.
Yes. As luxury architects Sydney residents trust, we create contemporary homes that respect the scale, rhythm, and material palette of Agnes Banks’s streetscapes while offering modern living spaces designed for coastal lifestyles.
We provide end-to-end services from initial concept design, Woollahra Council approvals, detailed documentation, contractor coordination, through to construction oversight. Our client-centred process ensures a smooth journey from start to finish.
We specialise in bespoke homes, heritage restorations, dual occupancy developments, and contemporary infill housing tailored to Agnes Banks’s unique topography, planning regulations, and harbourside setting.
Our design strategies carefully consider neighbouring views and council view-sharing principles. We optimise building forms, setbacks, and heights to achieve desirable outlooks while maintaining planning compliance.
Our deep local knowledge of Agnes Banks, combined with a legacy of award-winning design, personal attention to every client, and a strong understanding of heritage, coastal design, and council regulations, makes us a trusted architectural partner in the Eastern Suburbs.
Yes. Our site-responsive designs address steep slopes, flood-prone areas, salt exposure, and harbourfront challenges. We select materials and building techniques suited to Agnes Banks’s coastal environment for longevity and performance.
Yes. We prepare comprehensive Heritage Impact Statements (HIS) as part of development applications, ensuring all works align with Woollahra Council’s heritage guidelines and contribute positively to the local character.
Timelines vary by project scope. Typically, design and approval stages take 3–6 months, while construction ranges from 6–12 months. We provide realistic timeframes and manage every phase to keep your project on track.
Yes. Michael Bell Architects Sydney specialises in luxury residences, combining bespoke design with high-quality materials, refined detailing, and thoughtful spatial planning that enhances Agnes Banks’s premium lifestyle.
We prioritise transparent communication and collaborative design, ensuring your vision is reflected in every aspect of the project. Our tailored approach delivers homes that are both highly personal and contextually sensitive.
With a proven track record, expertise in heritage and coastal architecture, and a personalised approach to each project, Michael Bell Architects is trusted by Agnes Banks homeowners seeking high-quality, contextually responsive, and enduring residential design.