Welcome to

ECOdesign Architects

We are an active creative firm based in the World Heritage Blue Mountains NSW – working more widely across NSW and Australia. We offer sustainable planning, design magic and construction know-how, all with budgetary consciousness based upon our broad knowledge and decades of experience. Our projects range across typologies and scales, in seeking the best achievable solution to often wicked problems.

Our services are integrative, bringing the best consultants and teams to meet our client’s needs at a professional level. An investment in professional design services pays off – inspiration plus perspiration – lifting the economic and emotional value of your project. “Quality is remembered long after price is forgotten.” (Aldo Gucci, 1938)

  • NIGEL BELL
    Principal Architect

Nigel is the principle, with over 35 years as a registered architect (ARBN: 4547) and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects for his contribution to the profession. Elected to the AIA and the NSW Architects Registration Board multiple times, member of the bushfire Australian Standards, expert witness to the 2020 ‘bushfire’ Royal Commission, winner of multiple personal and project awards, Nigel has been an educational, sustainability and bushfire building/recovery leader for decades, sharing his enthusiasm and passion with the profession and community. Give him a call about your project.

Awards

Nominated Architect:

Nigel Bell, B.Sc(Arch), B.Arch(Hons)

FRAIA: 12491

ARB No: 4547

ABN 29 177 309 204

  • International ‘World Slowness Award’ (Jeonju, South Korea) 2017 for leading Katoomba-Blue Mountains Cittaslow (international ‘Slow Town’ movement).


  • Planning Institute Australia, Excellence in Planning, ‘Sustainability Blueprint for Urban Release Areas’, consultant lead to Penrith City Council. 2005


  • Lithgow City Council Heritage & Building Awards, ‘Infill Development – mixing new with old’ for Woolshed Cabins, Kanimbla Valley, near Blackheath.


  • International ‘World Slowness Award’ (Jeonju, South Korea) 2017 for leading Katoomba-Blue Mountains Cittaslow (international ‘Slow Town’ movement).


  • Planning Institute Australia, Excellence in Planning, ‘Sustainability Blueprint for Urban Release Areas’, consultant lead to Penrith City Council. 2005


  • Lithgow City Council Heritage & Building Awards, ‘Infill Development – mixing new with old’ for Woolshed Cabins, Kanimbla Valley, near Blackheath.


  • Outstanding Overall Winner, Blue Mountains Environmental Business Awards, 2000.


  • TDA Australian Timber Design Award (‘Environmental Commitment’) for ECOdesign Studio, designed and largely built by Nigel Bell, 2000.


  • Lithgow City Council Heritage & Environment Awards (‘Environment’ and ‘Commercial Development’) for Eagleview Retreat, Lake Lyall, 1998.


  • BPN Eco-Design Awards – education, ‘Highly Commended’ for (TAFE) ‘Environmental Building Principals’ course - a national program, 1997.


  • Banksia Environmental Foundation national award for ‘The Built Environment’ for Jemby-Rinjah Lodge “awarded to an individual, group or organization that has made a significant contribution to the enhancement of the built environment… that contributes to energy-efficient low-impact building practices’, 1994.


  • Tourism NSW project awards in 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1994, 1993, 1988 & 1987 for a range of tourism and eco-tourism projects.


  • Master Builders Association ‘Excellence in Construction’ (Fairholme Guesthouse, Jemby-Rinjah Lodge), 1993, 1994.


  • Duncan’s Timber Award, Highly Commended (Jemby-Rinjah Lodge), 1990.


  • Royal Australian Planning Institute ‘Highly Commended’ for the ‘Blue Mountains Town Character Guidelines’ (Development Control Plan), 1990.
What Our Clients Say?

Our Testimonials

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