Architecture for Margaret River, Perth & the South West
Residential, hospitality and commercial architecture shaped by place and performance — with Passive House expertise.
Cynosure Architecture
A small studio, closely involved.
Cynosure Architecture is a small architectural practice working across Perth, Margaret River and Western Australia's South West.
Led by Registered Architect and Certified Passive House Designer Matt Burleigh, our team works across residential, hospitality and commercial architecture, combining thoughtful design with rigorous technical resolution and a strong understanding of building performance.
We deliberately remain a small studio, allowing Matt to stay closely involved throughout each project while drawing on the design, documentation and visualisation capability of our growing team.
Featured Projects
Each project is a chance to explore the balance between performance, comfort, and place. From suburban homes to South West retreats, these works show how thoughtful design can adapt to site, climate, and lifestyle.
Koto House
Family Living | Treeby
Koto House brings warmth and connection to suburban life. With timber -look cladding, open interiors, and passive design principles, it creates a calm, modern home designed around light, ventilation, and family living.
Axis House
High Performance Urban Home | Willetton
A family home on a challenging battleaxe site designed and documented while employed at Whitehaus, Axis House achieves an 8.1 NatHERS rating. Its strong, industrial-inspired forms are paired with a carefully considered layout for light, privacy, and thermal comfort.
Sabella House
Sustainable Luxury | Margaret River
A contemporary rural home set within the expansive landscape of Metricup, Sabella House is shaped by its relationship to place, climate and long-term self-sufficiency. Passive design principles, an off-grid servicing strategy and a robust material palette come together to create a refined, high-performance home
Building Better: Passive House
Performance is at the heart of every project. Whether you’re aiming for full Passive House certification or simply want a more comfortable, energy-efficient home, I design with climate and lifestyle in mind.
By focusing on insulation, airtightness, ventilation, and smarter detailing, I create houses that feel better to live in, cost less to run, and last longer.
Create a Home You Love, Leave a Legacy you’re Proud of with a Passive House.
Where I Work
Based in Margaret River and Perth, I design homes across both the South West and the metro area without charging extra for travel.
Perth Metro
From Fremantle to Claremont, Subiaco to Scarborough, I design high-performance homes and renovations grounded in Perth’s lifestyle and urban context. With a dedicated Perth office, I help clients build new or reimagine existing homes with a focus on comfort, efficiency, and long-term value.
South West, WA
Although based in Perth, I work from my Margaret River office throughout the year, bringing a strong understanding of the region’s climate, landscapes, and bushfire requirements. From coastal retreats to vineyard properties, I design homes that connect with the environment while delivering comfort and resilience.
What It’s like to Work Together
From first ideas through to completion, my process is simple, transparent, and designed to give you confidence at every step
01. Discovery Call
We start with a free conversation about your project, goals, and site. This is your chance to ask questions and get clarity on what comes next - no obligation.
02. Concept Design
I develop initial ideas that respond to your site, lifestyle, and budget. Together, we refine these into a clear design direction.
03. Documentation
Detailed drawings and specifications bring your design to life, ensuring it complies with building codes and is ready for construction pricing.
04. Construction Support
I stay involved during the build to help maintain design intent, answer queries, and ensure your vision is carried through on site.
What Clients Say
“When we started looking at building our first home, we knew we didn't want just your standard every day 3 by 2 forced onto a tight fitting block. Matt was amazing at bringing out the true potential of our site and gave us a home where our family could really grow."
— Danielle T, 2024
“We sought Matt’s advice throughout our home buying journey. His experience with what to look out for, value-add renos, and council rules really helped simplify the process for us. Highly recommend"
— Alistair W, 2023
“From the moment we contacted him he’s been nothing but prompt and very accommodating. He took on board our ideas and also incorporated some of his own outside the box ideas which I loved to see. Ultimately he’s made the process very smooth sailing and always stuck to the timeframes given.”
— Annette N, 2024
Ready to Start Your Project?
The discovery call is free, with no obligation - just clarity for your next move, whether you’re in Perth or the South West.