Steffen Welsch Architects, established in 2001, has earned a reputation in Australia for its unwavering dedication to sustainable design across residential, educational, and aged care projects. Steffen Welsch, a graduate of Bauhaus University, brought his central European sensibilities to Australia in 1993, where his work is deeply influenced by the principles of community and environmental harmony. Drawing inspiration from Austrian architect Hermann Czech, Welsch advocates for an “Architecture as Background” philosophy, ensuring that buildings complement and enhance their surroundings rather than dominate them.

The firm’s approach is deeply rooted in the belief that architecture should foster human interaction and ecological well-being. This is achieved through careful integration with the environment, thoughtful material selection, and a focus on enhancing both the social and environmental contexts. Sustainability, for Steffen Welsch Architects, is not just a goal but an ongoing process. This process involves innovation, adaptation, and a comprehensive lifecycle perspective—from the initial sourcing of materials to their eventual recycling.

Collaboration with stakeholders is key to the firm’s methodology, ensuring that each project is environmentally responsible and sensitive to its context. Practices such as optimizing energy efficiency through passive solar design, minimizing environmental impact through material choices, and conducting thorough post-construction evaluations, life cycle assessments, and biodiversity plans are central to their work.

Steffen Welsch Architects views sustainability as a dynamic and continuous journey, emphasizing adaptability and holistic thinking. Welsch’s involvement in Australian Architects Declare, a charity focused on climate action and biodiversity loss mitigation through architectural practice, underscores the firm’s commitment to leading the industry towards a more sustainable future.

Photography by Tatjana Plitt