Tell us about your journey of how you got into building design?
My journey began after experiencing the living standards of the Philippines and Australia. Growing up, I was always curious and fascinated by how buildings work and how spaces influence our emotions. This passion has led me to pursue in dual degrees in Urban Planning and Architecture, where I was able into develop my technical and creative skills. During my career, I worked closely with building designers and was intrigued by construction methods and compliance standards beyond design. Today, I’m the lead Building Designer at Arktelier, and our passion is to deliver building design services throughout South East Queensland.
How would you describe your design philosophy and style, particularly when it comes to custom luxury homes?
My design philosophy revolves around creating aesthetic spaces that is functional and sustainable. When it comes to custom luxury homes, I believe good design is about shaping our client’s aspirations into something organic and freeform that reflects their lifestyle. I ensure that the layout flows effortlessly, guiding through a series of carefully curated spaces. I pay close attention to detail, materials, and the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces to create a harmonious living environment.
What is the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is collaborating with clients and consultants in the industry. To me, architecture is not limited to design but is about creating a collaborative environment and being pragmatic and flexible in our design approach. I believe this phase is where the magic and creativity happen! The ability to see a project come to life from concept to completion is a satisfying and rewarding experience.
Can you describe a challenging aspect of designing luxury homes and how you typically overcome it?
One of the significant challenges in designing luxury homes is balancing the client’s aspirations with practical and regulatory provisions. Clients often have high expectations and unique requirements that can be difficult to achieve within the limits of budget, timeframes, site conditions, and building standards. Communication is always the key. I focus on transparent communication and ongoing collaboration with the client and contractors to ensure their vision is understood while setting realistic expectations. Some people see design as a daunting process, like a rollercoaster ride with its ups and downs, but for me, it is an exciting journey that tells their unique story.
What do you love about working with Pilgrim?
What I love most about working with Pilgrim is the continuous collaboration and dedication of the team from start to finish for each project. The team at Pilgrim ensures that each stage of the building process is quality assured, guaranteeing that the design is timeless and executed to perfection. I’ve known Caleb for almost 8 years and I see a big future ahead for him and the team at Pilgrim!
