MUS Collective

Director Uma Weerakkody, representing , participated in a round table discussion hosted by and today, focusing on women's affairs. The event drew an impressive gathering of women from the city of Monash, who shared insights and ideas on necessary changes to support and advance women. Each attendee contributed valuable knowledge and perspectives stemming from their grassroots community work. is grateful to engage in such vital conversations, ensuring an ongoing dialogue for meaningful outcomes for women in our society. We thank and for this wonderful opportunity!

The construction journey demands a collaboration of talented professionals with a diverse set of skills. MUS Collective provides a curated group of experts to guide your entire building process. Drop us a line to understand more about the skill sets required for your project.

2024 has officially commenced at full throttle!

Our primary focus is empowering our clients to take charge of their building projects. Amidst the overwhelming sea of information and opinions in the design and building process, our creative thinking helps our clients clarify the requirements for their specific project vision. Leveraging our commercial acumen, our clients can make informed decisions and strategically plan their projects, while our technical expertise ensures our client’s vision transforms into a tangible reality.

This is at the heart of every project’s mission, and as a result, we have completed some cherished projects at the close of last year and are thrilled to unveil them in the weeks ahead. This year appears poised for more excitement, with numerous ventures in the planning stages and others on the brink of breaking ground. Stay tuned for peeks into stunning moments of design!

Got a plethora of ideas but struggling to narrow them down for your project? Reach out and let's see if we can lend a helping hand!

Our year kicked off in style with the recent approval of these luxurious townhomes in Mount Waverley. What an effort by and to get this one over the line. A special thanks to .au for the visuals. Looking forward to seeing this one break ground!

Enter the realm of MUS Collective! Emerging from a short social media break, we're ready to reveal our latest finished designs. Join us on this adventure and stay tuned for exclusive glimpses into our favourite projects. Welcome to 2024!

Highlighting the creative force behind MUS Collective, Uma Weerakkody, an architect who champions collaborative design. Known for her integrative approach, Uma believes in shedding preconceptions to fully understand the essence of every project.

Based in Melbourne, MUS Collective is a full-service architectural and interior design studio committed to the craft's holistic view. Uma's passion and belief in collaboration is the studio's heart, seen in the diverse range of residential designs, multi-residential apartments, and commercial buildings the collective has brought to life.

Uma's deep understanding of spaces, environments, and purposes is used to evoke feeling, developing designs that are not only functional but also emotionally resonant. She works hand in hand with clients, designers, and other collaborators to ensure each project is true to its needs and reflects the client's vision.

Through MUS Collective, Uma has made it her mission to create meaningful spaces - places where people can truly live, work, and play. Her collaborative spirit and the collective's commitment to understanding and implementing clients' visions set MUS apart in the world of architecture and design.

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Reflecting on our Archibald Street project, a vibrant blend of design and family-oriented functionality. This renovation brought life to an existing red brick veneer home in Elsternwick, focusing on creating a versatile environment for a young family.

The refreshed facade hosts a luxury in-ground pool, ensuring an engaging outdoor experience. Detailing from the use of skylights to the combined materiality of finishes showcases the craftsmanship and thoughtfulness involved in every aspect of the project. Finally, the geometrically rich upper floor ceiling - a quiet retreat for the children. This project was a delightful interplay of traditional elements and innovation.

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The Importance of Orientation​​​​​​​​
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Have you ever noticed how your mood lifts when you're in a room flooded with natural light? This isn't just about aesthetics - it's a crucial part of architectural design known as orientation.​​​​​​​​
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In the Southern Hemisphere, including our beautiful Melbourne, a north-facing orientation is ideal for harnessing maximum sunlight. But why is this important?​​​​​​​​
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Energy Efficiency: Properly oriented homes can make optimal use of sunlight for heating during winter, while overhangs and shading can keep the house cool during summer, reducing reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems. ​​​​​​​​
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Natural Light: A well-oriented home allows more natural light into living areas during the day, creating a vibrant and welcoming environment. ​​​​​​​​
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View and Aesthetic: Orientation can also determine the view from your house, impacting your connection with the surrounding environment. ​​​​​​​​
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Outdoor Spaces: The placement of outdoor areas like courtyards is key too. A north-facing courtyard in Australia can be a sun-soaked sanctuary in winter while offering a shaded retreat in summer.​​​​​​​​
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Remember, every site is unique, and orientation is a nuanced art. At MUS Collective, we leverage principles of solar design along with factors like local climate, surroundings, and your personal preferences to create a design that 'feels right'. Because architecture is not just about buildings, it's about creating spaces where life happens.​​​​​​​​
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Project management is an integral part of our work at MUS Collective. Beyond design, we coordinate with contractors, ensure adherence to timelines, oversee budget compliance, and manage on-site issues. This comprehensive service relieves our clients of the stress and complexity of managing a construction project. ​​​​​​​​
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When you work with us, you don't just get an architect; you get a partner who ensures the smooth ex*****on of your project from conception to completion. ​​​​​​​​
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Architecture & Alchemy: Illuminating Spaces with Natural Light

Light - it's an architect's most poetic tool. Sunlight breathes life into our buildings, dancing across spaces and creating a rhythm of light and shadow. This interplay shapes not just the aesthetics of our designs but the very mood and energy efficiency of our spaces.

At MUS Collective, we weave sunlight into the very fabric of our work, treating it not as an incidental guest but as a crucial design element.

The Sun as a Painter: As it traverses the sky, the sun paints our spaces with a changing palette - from the soft warmth of the morning to the bright clarity of the afternoon, and finally, the golden serenity of the evening. This dynamic play of light breathes life into our interiors, creating an ever-evolving ambience.

The Power of Light on Well-being: Beyond its aesthetic role, natural light serves a vital function for our well-being. It synchronizes our circadian rhythms, lifts our mood, and contributes subtly yet significantly to our overall health. Spaces awash with natural light hum with a vibrant, healthful energy.

Energy Conservation: Incorporating natural light reduces the dependence on artificial lighting, lessening energy consumption and extending a silent nod of gratitude to our planet.

Bridging the Inside with the Out: Sunlight often brings along glimpses of the outside world - azure skies, drifting clouds, rustling leaves. It seamlessly connects our interiors to the external environment, reminding us of our innate bond with nature.

Our role as architects extends beyond mere design; we choreograph the sun's journey through our spaces. Let's celebrate the luminous symphony of natural light and the beauty it bestows upon our architectural endeavours.

At MUS Collective, we believe that architecture is about more than creating beautiful structures - it's about shaping the environments in which we live, work, and play. Our full-service architectural and interior design studio works hand-in-hand with homeowners, developers, and commercial property owners to transform spaces and bring visions to life. Our collaborative approach ensures that each project is tailored to the client's unique needs and reflects their style.

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Take a peek at what is to come for this Melbourne-based law office. The space brings to life the traditional elegance, warmth, and sophistication of the material board, immersing you in a space where deep-grained timber, brass accents, and classic brown leather come together perfectly.

Experience the inviting ambience tailored for both clients and staff. Stay tuned for more updates as this project unfolds!

At MUS Collective, we offer comprehensive services, including town planning, feasibility studies, and project management. We believe in holistic, end-to-end solutions, ensuring seamless coordination of all project phases. By entrusting us with these tasks, our clients can focus on their core goals while we manage the complexities.

Some more highlights from the vibrant Winter Market organised by . At MUS Collective, our role transcends architecture and design; it's deeply intertwined with the communities we serve so we are proud to be longstanding volunteers of Mount Waverley Rotary.

When designing or renovating your kitchen, consider incorporating open shelving, like the oak floating shelves seen in Blanc Residence. This functional and stylish addition provides easy access to frequently used items while showcasing your favourite kitchenware and decorative accents. Combining practicality and visual appeal results in a practical space rich in character.

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Discover the perfect blend of heritage and contemporary design in this captivating bedroom corner. The stained glass window and elegant wall panelling pay homage to the home's historic roots, while the modern wall sconce provides a chic touch.

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Embrace the warmth and charm of this renovated room, featuring a traditional-style fireplace that invites moments of relaxation and reflection. Curl up with your favourite book or enjoy the serenity of a quiet study in this cozy space.

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Form and function in this kitchen renovation by MUS Collective. The home's heritage facade stands remained untouched while the interior opens now into a light-filled space with a contemporary yet relaxed update to the interiors.

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Revel in the delicate balance between heritage and modernity in this MUS Collective-designed open-plan kitchen. As a testament to their architectural expertise, the luxurious white marble benchtops and textured timber herringbone flooring seamlessly blend with the home's classic exterior. The result is a space where both past and present effortlessly coalesce.
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The interior design is a blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication, inspired by the indulgent world of Marie Antoinette and her love for cakes and pastries. Looking forward to seeing this quaint haven of decadence come to life in the coming months.
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The grey tiling sets the perfect backdrop for this stylish space, while the smoke mirrors and industrial finishes add an air of mystery and intrigue. The freestanding bathtub invites relaxation and comfort, while the dim lighting creates a serene ambience.

This bathroom perfectly combines style and function, providing a tranquil escape.

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Did you know that we also work with DIY home designers? At MUS Collective, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to create their dream home, and we're here to help make that a reality.

We offer a range of services that can assist you with the various requirements associated with home renovation, including permits, documentation, planning, and more. Our team can help you navigate the complexities of the process, providing valuable insights and guidance along the way for a streamlined project.

Let us help you achieve your home renovation goals while ensuring that everything meets the necessary regulations. Contact MUS Collective today to learn more about how we can help.

There's something special about the kitchen—the heart of the home. As the temperatures start to cool, it's the perfect time to come together with family and friends to cook up a storm. After all, the kitchen is more than just a place to cook—it's where memories are made, stories are shared, and love is poured into every dish.

Have you ever walked into a space and felt instantly calm and inspired? That's the power of good design. At MUS Collective, we create environments that enhance your mood and improve your quality of life.

From feasibility and guidance to full end-to-end design and management, get in touch to learn more about how MUS Collective can help bring your project to fruition.

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While the use of monochrome colour palettes might be something we are seeing less of recently, they are guaranteed to create a bold and impactful design. By playing with texture, form, and light, we created a space that feels dynamic and engaging. The white tiling with dark grout, skylights, and dark hardware all work together to create a sense of drama and tension. If you're looking for a design that makes a statement, a monochrome palette might be just what you need.

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We believe that our job is not just to design spaces but to bring our client's visions to life. Working closely with our clients to understand their needs, preferences and goals, and then use our expertise to create spaces that not only meet but exceed their expectations.

Archibald project was a beautiful renovation for a young family and their beloved pups. The project features timber floors, curved walls and this cozy little 'bedroom' for the dogs to sleep in each night.

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There's something timeless and elegant about a monochrome colour palette. In Archibald project, we used a black and white palette throughout the home to create a sense of cohesion and simplicity. The white tiling with dark grout, skylights, and dark hardware all work together to create a beautiful juxtaposition of light and dark. The result is a space that feels both modern and classic, with an emphasis on texture and form.

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Homely details from our latest project recently completed by . Creating a beautifully blank canvas that remained grounded in its materiality and connection to the surrounding environment was crucial for the space.

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At MUS Collective, we believe that the success of a project lies in the details. We take pride in our ability to pay attention to even the smallest details, ensuring that every aspect of our projects is carefully considered and executed. From the choice of materials to the placement of every light fixture, we believe that every detail matters.

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