




Michael Bell Architects is an award-winning architecture firm with 25 years of experience designing homes throughout Wagga Wagga and the Riverina. We specialise in custom rural residences, heritage restorations and site-responsive architecture. Our work is guided by a strong understanding of local conditions, including bushfire zones, floodplain controls and heritage conservation requirements. Every project is designed for comfort, longevity and regional relevance.
With over 25 years of local experience, our practice has a deep-rooted understanding of Wagga Wagga’s regional context. Our expertise encompasses both high-performance contemporary architecture and the sensitive conservation of heritage properties. Our work on the Georgian-style Early Settler Farmhouse in Wagga Wagga showcases our ability to seamlessly integrate historic charm with modern functionality, respecting the Riverina's unique architectural legacy.
Michael Bell Architects brings over 25 years of experience to custom residential and heritage architecture across Wagga Wagga and the Riverina. The practice has established a reputation for design excellence by consistently delivering homes that are functional, timeless and deeply connected to their regional setting. This level of continuity reflects a long-standing understanding of rural living and site-responsive design.
The Riverina’s architectural legacy is built on Georgian farmhouses, Federation homes and settler-era cottages that were designed for durability and climate control. Informed by this tradition, the studio designs homes that incorporate wide verandahs, breezeways and pavilion-style layouts to enhance thermal comfort and spatial flexibility. Passive rural house layouts are supported by locally suited materials including corrugated steel, recycled brick and native timber, ensuring long-term performance and environmental alignment.
Projects grounded in this approach have received recognition from the National Trust NSW for heritage conservation. Published features in The Wall Street Journal, Australian Country Magazine and Kanebridge Quarterly further highlight the studio’s national standing. These accolades confirm Michael Bell Architects as a trusted authority in delivering custom homes that honour place, uphold heritage values and perform within the realities of rural life.
Our commitment to heritage conservation is formally recognised by the National Trust NSW, which awarded our Wagga Wagga Homestead project a Highly Commended for “Continuing Tradition.” This significant honour confirms our expertise in the field of heritage conservation and adaptive reuse. We deliver architecturally significant projects that create a sensitive dialogue between past and present, ensuring the relevance and longevity of these important buildings for future generations.
Preserve Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga’s architectural character.
We prioritise Eco-friendly materials and energy efficiency, designing sustainable, forward-thinking homes for Sydney’s urban environment.
Each home begins with understanding how you live and how the land works. In Wagga Wagga and the Riverina, this starts with a detailed consultation on site. Orientation, slope, heritage significance and climate are all considered. This early step ensures your home is shaped by both your lifestyle and the qualities of the land. The result is a design that is functional, regionally responsive and built around the way you want to live.
Once the concept is clear, architectural drawings are developed to shape space, material choices and overall character. The planning process is fully managed, including Development Applications submitted to Wagga Wagga City Council. All required reports, such as Heritage Impact Statements and Bushfire Attack Level assessments, are prepared to meet local compliance requirements and move your project forward with confidence.
After approvals are in place, construction documentation is completed with precision. We coordinate with trusted builders and consultants and stay involved during construction to guide each step. Your home is delivered with care and attention to detail. The final result is a well-crafted, enduring home that feels right in its setting and is built to last for future generations.
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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga, 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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga’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 Wagga Wagga home owners seeking high-quality, contextually responsive, and enduring residential design.