STUDIO

A LITTLE ABOUT THE STUDIO

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At Johnstone & Johnson, we believe that successful design outcomes begin with strong, collaborative relationships. From concept to completion, and at every stage in between, our focus is always on understanding and prioritising our clients’ needs and aspirations. Our multidisciplinary design studio is passionate about the interaction between built forms and the environment, striving to deliver designs that are sympathetic with the surrounding environment yet engaging and compelling beyond their function. We create homes that transcend the ordinary, offering a heightened state of living through considered design and meticulous execution. 

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With over a decade of experience, Toby Johnson, the founder of Johnstone and Johnson, has created an exciting and diverse portfolio of high-end residential projects, not limited to any particular building typology. By treating every project as a unique challenge, Toby has designed buildings that are intimately connected to the circumstances and needs of each client, from multi-level waterfront residences and inner-city terraces to rural retreats. But no matter the budget, size, shape and location of a building, the overriding philosophy behind every Johnstone and Johnson project is that the design should speak for itself.

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As a small bespoke design studio, Johnstone and Johnson is able to provide clients with a personalised service throughout all stages of design and construction. Toby’s skillset encompasses all aspects of design, from conceptual modelling, detailed documentation, building approvals and interior design as well as the construction process itself. He is convinced that design excellence comes only from the application of rigour to the design process, as well as continual dialogue with clients, councils, consultants and contractors. 

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A LITTLE ABOUT THE FOUNDER

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Toby has always loved Architecture, especially the interaction between the built environment and nature. After completing an honours degree in Construction Management at Newcastle University in 2011, Toby took time-out for twelve months, teaching English language and literature in Taiwan, before returning to Sydney to take up a new graduate position with a Sydney-based mid-size Architectural firm that specialised in high-end residential design. Within the space of a year, he was promoted to Project Lead, juggling his full-time work commitments with studying part-time for a bachelor degree in Applied Science (Architectural Science) at Curtin University. Toby continued his career progression over the next seven years, being responsible for designing and delivering high end residential projects - from concept design through to approvals and final handover after construction.

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Armed with a wealth of experience of development in the built environment space and  a deep understanding of all facets relating to high end residential design and construction, Toby accepted the position of Design Director at a start-up company in Surry Hills, a role that offered a great challenge for him, as well as an opportunity to revolutionise the residential architectural space in Sydney. In his new role, Toby was responsible for not only the complete design and construction process,  but also the design and implementation of company procedures and real-time project management. In addition, he set up various customer relationship management tools to ensure that every client, at the click of a mouse, could see the status of their project, any items that required their input and an accurate project timeline that tracked original proposed dates to actual delivered dates. The project transparency this bespoke software offered to clients gained the company a huge advantage over other firms in the industry.

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Two and a half years later, with all systems in place and a doubling in the number of employees, Toby decided to branch out on his own and start up his own boutique company, Johnstone and Johnson. The overriding reason behind this decision was that a small firm would be more committed to guaranteeing client satisfaction throughout the process of designing and building a house.