Undercover Architect
https://www.houzz.com.au/pro/undercoverarchitect copied to clipboard
About Us
Hello - I'm Amelia Lee, the Undercover Architect, your secret ally in getting it right when designing, building or renovating your home - simply and with confidence.
Undercover Architect operates mainly online to support homeowners (especially women) with information, advice and guidance to empower you in the journey of building or renovating.
Why does Undercover Architect exist? To help homeowners like you create a home that makes your life better. Whatever your dreams, your location or your budget.
With 25 years residential design experience, and being a serial renovator myself, my mission is simple:
To save you time, effort, energy and money … and help you get it right. For you.
I believe you deserve a home that inspires you each day as you step out into the world, and welcomes you back to comfort and restore you.
If that’s the home and life you’re after, you’re in the right place.
Sign up for the free weekly UA News, full of advice, inspiration and ideas I only share there. Listen to the podcast, or head to the website for lots of free and useful information.
I can’t wait to share your journey - Amelia, UA x
Services Provided
Custom Homes, Home Extensions, Home Renovation
Areas Served
Northern NSW, New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory, Tasmania, Western Australia
Awards
B.Architecture (1st Class Hons) UNSW. Grad Certificate Property Economics, QUT. Previous Board Member on the Qld Development Board for The Hunger Project, Australia. Several architectural and business awards throughout my career.
Professional Information
License Number: 9654, Reg'd Architect, Qld + NSW
Credentials
5 Houzz Awards
4 Houzz Badges
Write a Review
21 Reviews for Undercover Architect
Sara Graham
Relationship
Listened to podcasts
The Undercover Architect podcasts provided us with invaluable information that helped in the every aspect of building our recently completed home, from design, writing a brief , selection of professionals, energy efficiency, and more. I think the podcasts are essential listening for anyone building or renovating a home. Our project was finished ahead of time and on budget with no problems. Of course our wonderful builder and architect are responsible for pulling that off, but the advice we got from undercover architect certainly helped as we were very well informed going into the project and all aspects fully resolved except tile selection before we signed the contract. We love our new home and wouldn’t change anything if we did it again with the same budget. Many of our choices were informed by Amelia’s advice. Our architect and builder said they appreciated working with us as clients because we were clear about what we wanted and why we wanted it and we were well informed. Thanks Undercover Architect. I can’t recommend you highly enough.
January 24, 2020
Belinda Batty
Relationship
Follower of the podcasts
We are Tilers working on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and have been sharing the podcasts on our Facebook page.....very sensible practical advise in regards to Tiling which we wholeheartedly support!! Unfortunately some home renovation shows have had people misunderstanding the processes involved in most trades so it’s been good to have some real info out there putting value back into our trade.
January 21, 2020
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Hi Belinda,
Thanks so much for your review, and for sharing Undercover Architect podcasts with your community. Great tradespeople are so important and valuable ... I know how much I enjoy working with people who are great at their craft, as it makes such a difference to the experience of a project, and to the end result in the home. And tiling is something that needs to be done well - and not everyone can do that! It's fantastic to be able to help homeowners learn how to find them, and work well with them too.
- Amelia, UA
Thanks so much for your review, and for sharing Undercover Architect podcasts with your community. Great tradespeople are so important and valuable ... I know how much I enjoy working with people who are great at their craft, as it makes such a difference to the experience of a project, and to the end result in the home. And tiling is something that needs to be done well - and not everyone can do that! It's fantastic to be able to help homeowners learn how to find them, and work well with them too.
- Amelia, UA
HU-718741853
Relationship
Client
My husband and I are currently working through the modules of the Home Design Masterclass as we are in the very early stages of design for a renovation and have found the course to be worth every cent. Our floor plan has completely changed based on the advise on the course, and definitely changed for the better. Amelia gives so many tips on how to maximise exposure to light as well as giving great rule of thumb dimensions.
January 3, 2020
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Thank you so much for your kind words and your feedback. It's so fantastic to see you applying what you're learning to improve your floor plan design. I'm so excited!! Best wishes for your project, and please keep me posted :)
- Amelia, UA
- Amelia, UA
alba Hastings
Relationship
Came on board through Colourbond provided information
Listening to Undercover Architect Podcasts has been a life saver in working my way through the information load required to establish whether or not we can afford to go on with a Knock Down Rebuild project. I began in April of this year and as yet am not even close on knowing but I have learnt much along the way and feel less out of my depth because of this service.
Thank You Amelia
November 25, 2019
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Alba, thanks so much for listening to the Undercover Architect podcasts, and I'm so glad they've helped you feel better about your project. Here's to a fantastic finished home!
HU-334648756
Relationship
Client
Amelia is an absolute treasure trove of information. She's passionate about giving people the information and support they need to get it right in renovating and building and she has the skills and expertise to back it up. We've benefited hugely in learning everything we need to know to plan our new build well and having the confidence to go after what we want. If you're planning on building a new house or renovation definitely tap into all the resources she has available, she's amazing!
November 25, 2019
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Thanks so much for your kind review. I'm so glad Undercover Architect has been helpful in your new build journey. Best wishes for your project!
Donna Scholz
Relationship
Avid listener of UA podcasts
I have filled a notebook full of ideas, information and additional references that I do not want to forget from Amelia's podcasts. I started at her first podcast and worked by way through every episode with true anticipation of what was coming next. How she has set out her topics is marvelous. She is so easy to listen too, passionate, humorous and very informative. I always look forward to Tuesdays when the next podcast is delivered straight to my inbox with my notebook ready. So looking forward to the time when I can put what I have learned into practice. Love, love, love Undercover Architect!
February 4, 2019
Lyn Ahlefeldt
Relationship
Client
We had a very small budget but greatly valued Amelia's advice because knowledge can make simplicity shine. I had experience of her approach from her useful, free podcasts. To our surprise she raised the issue of flow, which completely changed how we saw our essential options, though we have simplified her plan of improvement. The work is not complete but we know where we are going. It was particularly useful to have an unexpected option proposed for locating a workshop on our irregular block. Altogether clarifying and supporting experience.
December 6, 2018
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Thank you Lyn for your kind words. It’s fantastic to hear how your project is progressing and the experience of working with Undercover Architect was worthwhile. Best wishes for completion!
- Amelia, UA
- Amelia, UA
Katie Bingham
Relationship
Avid follower
Amelia the Undercover Architect is one amazing lady. For anyone who wants to know they've thought completely and thoroughly about every aspect of their build or reno, her podcasts and blogs are perfect! Her passion and knowledge are second to none and she is generous with her sharing of information and creative and thoughtful in her design process. She helped us prioritise the way we designed spaces and spent our budget and I have been so happy throughout our build because of my confidence and realistic expectations. I love our new space and am so grateful to have found Amelia. Legend!
November 29, 2018
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Katie - thank you for your lovely and kind feedback. I'm so glad Undercover Architect has been able to support you in this way. Best wishes for your new home!
- Amelia, UA
- Amelia, UA
findfelicity
Relationship
Other
I have been listening to the UA podcasts for a long time, she is brilliant at explaining design and giving inside information. I recommend her to anyone thinking of doing a renovation.
November 21, 2018
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Hello! I'm so glad the "Get it Right with Undercover Architect" podcasts have been helpful for you! Thank you for your lovely feedback, and best wishes for your future home!
- Amelia, UA
- Amelia, UA
Kimley Vacher-Dring
Relationship
Listen to podcast
I have listened to only some of Amelia’s podcasts episodes, and they have already been so helpful in understanding the design and building process, and crucial things to think about. Highly recommend.
November 21, 2018
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Hi Kimley
It's fantastic that the "Get it Right with Undercover Architect" podcast is helping you! Best wishes for your project, and I hope Undercover Architect continues to be your secret ally :) Thank you for your review.
- Amelia, UA
It's fantastic that the "Get it Right with Undercover Architect" podcast is helping you! Best wishes for your project, and I hope Undercover Architect continues to be your secret ally :) Thank you for your review.
- Amelia, UA
mblasikiewicz
Relationship
Client
We already had a design we broadly liked, so engaged Amelia to review and tweak it if necessary, for peace of mind in case we missed something. She did a great job fixing it, and even months later would answer questions and give advice as the build progressed. Only regret I have is not engaging her to do a full concept from the start.
November 20, 2018Last modified:November 20, 2018
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Hi Maciek
Thank you for your kind feedback. It's so fantastic to see the home nearing completion, and you've done a brilliant job in bringing your home dreams to life! Best wishes for your family as you all move in. It was great to work with you in improving the design.
- Amelia, UA
Thank you for your kind feedback. It's so fantastic to see the home nearing completion, and you've done a brilliant job in bringing your home dreams to life! Best wishes for your family as you all move in. It was great to work with you in improving the design.
- Amelia, UA
Ankya Klay
Relationship
Client
‘Amelia is your ‘secret ally’ - she will give you the tools you need to create the home you desire.’
I can’t speak highly enough of my experience with Amelia.
‘Undercover Architect’ has a very professional attention to details approach and sharp intuition as to what changes will ‘make all the difference’ to the design of your home, with minimum outlay.
It was a pleasure to work with her.
We followed through with 90% of Amelia’s suggestions - the remaining 10% only pending the appropriate finance.
Amelia’s ideas definitely have made a huge difference to the look, style and usability of our home.
I also greatly appreciated receiving recommendations and links to the relevant trades who could carry out these renovations. They proved to be first class and very agreeable to work with.
Thank you Undercover Architect for your UA Road Map
November 20, 2018
Comment from Undercover Architect:
Ankya,
Thank you for your lovely feedback. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the improvements to your home, and it was fantastic to work with you.
- Amelia, UA
Thank you for your lovely feedback. I'm so glad that you're enjoying the improvements to your home, and it was fantastic to work with you.
- Amelia, UA
4 Ideabooks
91 Comments
Commented: POLL: How important is using sustainable materials to you?As an architect, I have previously been taught that creating a sustainable home is about designing it so that living in it lowers energy and water use. This is achieved through designing for orientati...
June 6, 2019 in Polls
Commented: Front of houseI would really encourage you to get a landscape designer's help with this. If you can't change the fence, but want privacy, landscaping / planting will be a good choice.
Working out how to create step...
May 26, 2017 in Design Dilemma
Commented: lighting (and powerpoint) adviceCP listen to my podcast on Tuesday - I've got a special UA Community offer with a fantastic new Australian company doing DIY LED strip lighting you can order online!
And don't forget a power point in ...
August 23, 2017 in Design Dilemma
Commented: House-plan helpI'm not sure this is the 'start again' disaster it's being painted to be by @co-design.
1. At no point have I seen Em disclosed the exact location of her home. So yes, whilst northern orientation and ...
May 25, 2017 in Design Dilemma
Commented: house design help for riverfront blockThanks for the shout-out C P ! Appreciate it. Yes Briar, there's a lot in the first two seasons of the podcast to help with designing for this orientation, and to learn how to get rooms to be arranged...
April 6, 2017 in Design Dilemma
Commented: Feedback on New build family home plansThanks C P - that's very true. As a client of mine once said, "It costs the same to build the wall whether you put it in the right place, or the wrong place".
And Rochelle ... so many homeow...
August 27, 2017 in Design Dilemma
Contact Undercover Architect
Northern NSW, New South Wales 2480
Australia
Australia
Typical Job Cost AUD $200,000 - 2,000,000
Refer to www.undercoverarchitect.com for resources to help you get it right when designing, building or renovating your family home. Whoever you're working with, and whatever your dreams, your location or your budget. Undercover Architect is your secret ally.
Find Architects to Help Get the Job Done
Tired of reading all the DIY tutorials? We are here to help. With over 1 million home professionals on Houzz, you’ll easily find the trusted Architect for your next project in Northern NSW, NSW.
Read Reviews from Northern NSW Homeowners Like You
Read through the reviews of other homeowners before hiring a Architect to help with your project in Northern NSW. If you have questions, simply respond to other homeowners’ reviews or head to our discussion forum for a second opinion.
Easily Contact Trusted Architects
If you’re browsing Houzz and have a professional in mind, then you’ll quickly find that requesting a quote is easier than ever. And from one simple dashboard, you can even manage all the Architect quotes you receive.
Architects near Lismore
Professional Categories in Lismore
Lismore Architects · Lismore Interior Designers & Decorators · Lismore Building Designers · Lismore Home Builders · Lismore Kitchen Designers & Renovators · Lismore Design & Construction · Lismore Bathroom Designers & Renovators · Lismore Joinery & Cabinet Makers · Lismore Tile, Stone & Benchtops · Lismore Doors
- Amelia, UA