MT Design Collective is a company that combines design work with comprehensive construction experience. Turner holds a degree in Architecture, but before starting MT Design Collective he spent a large part of his younger years on buildings sites working alongside trades “getting muddy and learning how buildings actually come together in the real world.”

This combination of skills positions MT Design Collective to be an expert guide for clients looking to design a home. Not only can the team speak to council regulations, and other building requirements, they can also keep the process on track and truly get to the heart of the home you need. Not just the one your Instagram algorithm told you  about.

In fact, Turner from MT Design Collective has started hosting a podcast called MTDC Lounge, designed to cut through the jargon and give clear insights into the raw edge of the construction and building design industry. As Turner says “great projects rarely happen by accident. Good outcomes usually come from asking the right questions early … and making informed decisions.” The podcast builds on MT Design Collective’s overall suite of services aimed at helping you do just that: ask the right questions early in the process to start your project off on the right foot. 

REDESIGNING REALITY

Turner from MT Design Collective believes strongly in “having the difficult conversations early” feeling that “realistic advice and clear expectations generally give everyone a stronger foundation for the project ahead.” 

Great design doesn’t just look good. It also understands the nature of the project, the surroundings and the restrictions on the build to produce a good result.  

Turner points out that many people see design and drafting as simply “producing a set of plans” when in reality it’s “where design, approvals, compliance and construction all come together.” At its core, design and drafting is the process of turning ideas into something that can be “properly considered and assessed.” Good design resolves as many issues as possible before the first brick is laid, reducing costs and making the process as stress free as humanly possible.  

Turner points out that “every project is different, but the process always starts the same way: understanding the site, understanding the client and understanding what’s realistically achievable.” When asked about particularly challenging blocks, such a sloped or small sites, Turner explained that “every site presents challenges. Some are simply more obvious than others.” For the team at MT Design Collective, the key is understanding the challenges early and forming solid plans. The process prioritises gathering information and then making the best possible plan forward, keeping clear lines of communication with the client throughout the entire process. 

ASSEMBING A TEAM  

“The design and construction industry is full of processes, terminology and approval pathways that many people only encounter once or twice in their lives. It can feel overwhelming, and that’s completely understandable.” Turner explains, pointing out that this is where having a team of experts to help you is essential. On his MTDC Lounge podcast, Turner discusses collaborating with consultants, especially in relation to council approvals and challenging site builds. He explained to us that “successful projects are rarely delivered in isolation.” His role is to identify exactly who should be brought on board, coordinating with surveyors, town planners, a range of engineers, certifiers, energy assessors, and other consultants. Each site needs a different approach, and each consultant contributes to a different part of the overall picture.  

The real value of having a team like MT Design Collective in your corner, is that they know which experts to bring in and exactly when to do so. The team is good at “engaging the right people at the right stage and making sure their information is coordinated with the design.”