ABOUT US
Our Philosophy
At Environmental Design, we believe the best architecture is created for people. Our designs respond to client needs, respect budgets, inspire vision, and transform ideas into built reality.
We create buildings that are intuitive and universally accessible, thoughtfully oriented, and responsive to their site and environment. Every project carefully addresses constraints while maximising opportunities to achieve practical, sustainable, and elegant outcomes.
Each project begins with a clearly defined brief, developed in close consultation with our clients. This process confirms priorities, establishes budget parameters, and sets the foundation for a design that delivers long-term value — affordable to build and cost-effective to maintain.
Throughout our history, we have collaborated with highly qualified engineering, landscape, and cost consultants to form integrated expert teams. This approach allows us to provide comprehensive, coordinated service across projects of all scales.
Led by Peter Hirst, formerly Design Director of GHP and now Principal of Environmental Design, our practice is committed to design excellence and Ecologically Sustainable Design (ESD) principles. Our structured process ensures client involvement and formal sign-off at every stage — from concept through documentation and construction, including post-occupancy evaluation — ensuring clarity, confidence, and lasting satisfaction.
ABOUT US
DD
DD
We believe good design elevates life. It is led by function, where form follows purpose.
Through intelligent design, we create cost-efficient spaces that blend the precision of science with the beauty of art.
-Peter Hirst
OUR SERVICES
This is the space to introduce visitors to the business or brand. Briefly explain who's behind it, what it does and what makes it unique. Share its core values and what this site has to offer.
OUR AWARDS
1968 Nell-Norris Scholarship
1976 R.A.I.A. - AGE Low Energy Home Design Award
1979 Melbourne Landmark Design International Competition
1992 Charles Joseph LaTrobe Design for Living Award
1993 RAPI Urban Planning Achievement - Commendation
1994 RAIA - Institution Renovations & Additions
1999 MBAV – Most Innovative Use of a Small Block
Accreditations AND Affiliations
Peter Hirst is a registered architect (ARBV) and holds professional indemnity and public liability insurance. The practice is affiliated with the Australian Institute of Architects, Planning Institute of Australia, Australian Conservation Association and National Gallery of Victoria.
TESTIMONIALS
Client Success Stories: Hear What Our Clients Say
This is the space to share a review from one of the business's clients or customers.
CHRISTOPHER RAMIREZ
Arlington, Virginia
This is the space to share a review from one of the business's clients or customers.
MARCUS THOMPSON
Naperville, Illinois
This is the space to share a review from one of the business's clients or customers.
AISHA PATEL
Plano, Texas
Our Team
Our team brings together a wealth of knowledge, formal qualifications, and decades of industry experience across architecture, planning, and project management. With strong academic foundations and professional recognition in their respective fields, each team member contributes a high level of expertise to every project.
Our collective experience spans both public and private sectors, across Australia and internationally, ensuring informed, efficient, and thoughtful outcomes for every client.
Design Director, Town Planner and Project Manager
Peter Hirst
-
B. Architecture (Honours), University of Melbourne (1973)
-
Diploma of Town & Regional Planning, University of Melbourne (1973)
-
M. Architecture (Design), University of Melbourne (1987)
-
Life Fellow, Royal Australian Institute of Architects
-
Fellow, Australian Planning Institute
-
Registered Architect, Victoria
-
Senior Counsellor, Australian Institute of Architects
Peter has over 50 years of experience across both public and private practice, with awards in Architecture and Planning.
His dual qualifications and extensive experience enable a unified and efficient approach to every project, with excellence as the driving outcome.
Peter has worked on projects across all states and territories of Australia, as well as in London, UK, as a consultant, and in China and Indonesia by invitation on educational and residential projects.
Business Manager
Gillian Hirst
-
Bachelor of Commerce, University of Melbourne (1974)
Gillian oversees the business operations of Environmental Design, ensuring all activities are conducted in strict accordance with State and Federal Government legislation.
Environmental Design is committed to equal opportunity and does not discriminate on the basis of gender or race. We work with clients who share and support these social and community values.
Development Control as a Project Manager
Irene Hirst
-
B. Architecture (2003)
-
B. Building (2003)
-
B.Planning & Design, University of Melbourne (Melb Uni) (2003)
Irene specialises in development management as a Project Manager.
She has over 20 years of experience across the private and publicly listed sectors in Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, and London, UK. Irene's expertise spans property development and senior project management across residential, commercial, retail, and industrial sectors.
Her project experience includes Eureka Tower in Melbourne, the redevelopment of AMP Tower in Sydney, and the Alan Bond Tower in Perth, as well as serving as Project Manager for the NSW Police Facility Building Program.
OUR MISSION
Building a Sustainable Future
This is a space to share more about the business: who's behind it, what it does and what this site has to offer. It’s an opportunity to tell the story behind the business or describe a special service or product it offers. You can use this section to share the company history or highlight a particular feature that sets it apart from competitors.
Let the writing speak for itself. Keep a consistent tone and voice throughout the website to stay true to the brand image and give visitors a taste of the company’s values and personality.
How It All Started
This is a space to share more about the business: who's behind it, what it does and what this site has to offer. It’s an opportunity to tell the story behind the business or describe a special service or product it offers. You can use this section to share the company history or highlight a particular feature that sets it apart from competitors.
Let the writing speak for itself. Keep a consistent tone and voice throughout the website to stay true to the brand image and give visitors a taste of the company’s values and personality.