Recognised for excellence as a leading building designer in Sydney and across NSW, Distinct Innovations delivers custom design homes that combine creativity, quality, sustainability and functionality.
With multiple industry awards and a reputation as a trusted residential building designer, we specialize in bringing beautifully designed bespoke homes to life. ​ Whether you’re planning a new home, knockdown rebuild, renovating a heritage property, undertaking a dual occupancy project, or adding a modern home extension, we provide personalised architectural drafting that maximises your property’s potential with affordable house plans to suite every budget.
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Based in Castle Hill, we have 30 years of experience designing hundreds of homes across Greater Sydney, the Northern Beaches, Inner West, Penrith & Western Suburbs, Hills District, Sutherland Shire, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Illawarra.
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With significant experience handling the complexities of Council regulations, DA approvals, bushfire zoning (BAL), and heritage extenstion renovation overlays, we ensure your plans are both inspired and fully compliant.
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We offer a free initial consultation at your site or in our Castle Hill studio. From basic construction drawings to full-featured internal detailing, we tailor a design package to suit your vision and budget.
​Our Expertise:
Building Design & Architectural Drafting
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Custom Home Design: Classic, Contemporary, Luxury, Period, and Coastal styles new or knockdown rebuild.
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Renovations & Extensions: Modern additions, and significant experience in Heritage Home extensions.
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Multi-Residential: Design for Units, Apartments, Villas, Townhouses, and Terrace homes.
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Dual Occupancy & Duplex: Expert planning for Modern Duplexes, Granny Flats, and Secondary Dwellings.​​
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Bushfire Design (BAL): Extensive experience in strategic design for homes in high-risk Bushfire Zones.
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Inclusive Budgeting: We provide high-end building plans that exceed standard expectations for any budget
Planning & Approvals Simplified
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Pre-Design & Feasibility Site Investigation: Analysis of site-specific restrictions.
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Concept Design: Initial spatial planning and architectural conceptualization.
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Council-Ready DA Plans: Expertly prepared Development Applications for local government approval.
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CDC (Complying Development): Fast-tracked approval documentation via Private Certifiers.
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Construction Certificates (CC Plans): Highly detailed drawings required for the construction phase as per BCA/NCC Requirements
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BASIX Certification: Ensuring energy and water efficiency compliance for NSW standards.
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Full Service Advantage:
Sustainable Design
Expert energy-efficient designs backed by a Master’s in Sustainable Design.
Interior Detailing
From basic
Schedule of Finishes to full interior cabinetry design.
Site Visitations
Optional construction-phase meetings to ensure design accuracy
3D Visualisation
Choose from simple conceptual models to photorealistic imagery.
Our Approach
At Distinct Innovations, we bring your ideas to life with our expert guidance and design knowledge.
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We pride ourselves on a hands-on approach, ensuring your architectural plans genuinely reflect your vision:
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Begin with an in-depth consultation (3–4 hours) to discuss your lifestyle, preferences, and design goals.​
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Bring a scrapbook or reference images - this helps us understand your style for your custom home design.​
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We thoroughly assess your site’s rules, controls, and natural features to promote sustainable home design.
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We can guide your project through every phase with expert care.
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Initial hand sketch to confirm your ideas before we create the final architectural plans​
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You’ll review and approve each stage to ensure everything aligns with your vision
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Ongoing assistance with council applications and approvals (Optional)
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Continued support throughout construction coordination (Optional)
Our Designer
Luke Van Jour
Award-Winning Principal Designer
Luke Van Jour is an award-winning building designer and architectural draftsman with a masters in sustainability and 30 years of experience.
Since 1997, he has designed hundreds of homes, focusing on innovative sustainable designs that exceed client expectations whether for new house design, house extensions, home renovations, or development projects like duplex design and dual occupancy.
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With expertise in heritage conservation and comprehensive home renovations, he creates unique designs that respect historical significance while incorporating modern sustainability principles.
His wife, Albina brings valuable support to the team, overseeing administration, marketing, 3D modelling, and schedules of finishes to help ensure a smooth and efficient experience for every client.​
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Luke receiving an award at the
Building Designers Association of Australia
2025 Excellence in Design Awards,
presented by Jamie Durie
Real Testimonials from Homeowners across Sydney
with the Stunning Results to Match.
"I have been fortunate to have worked on several projects with Luke from Distinct Innovations and I must say that of all the Building Designers & Architects I have worked with over the years Luke would be my favourite for his amazing skill & talent in design, his design style and most of all his honest, easy going personality. In my experience I have found that Luke's clients are more than happy with the process and end result and speak very highly of Luke as their chosen Building Designer for their home. For me when I recommend a design professional or contractor to a client (or anyone for that matter) they need to tick 3 boxes, 1. They are very good at what they do 2. Their fees / prices are reasonable 3. They are a nice person and easy to work with. Luke ticks all these boxes for me and I look forward to working on many more amazing Distinct Innovations projects with Luke in the future".
Qualifications & Accreditation
Chartered & Accredited Building Designer (Accred.no.6164)​
Masters Degree Design Science (Sustainable Design) Sydney University 2008
Certificate of Architectural Drafting 1988
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For more information about Building Designers
To date, Luke has been recognised with 25 industry honors, from leading Australian organisations including the Building Designers Association of Australia, Master Builders Association NSW, and local councils across Sydney.
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A number of Luke's designs have broken real estate sales records, highlighting the financial benefits of working with Distinct Innovations
Memberships & Appointments
Chartered & Accredited Member Building Designers Association of NSW (BDA)
BDANSW Appointed Chair of the National Sub-Committee 2012-2015
BDANSW President Sydney Regional Branch 2006-2010
BDANSW State Secretary 2010-2012
Australian Architect ure Association
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Publications
Luke's designs have featured a number of times in The Daily Telegraph "Home" section as well as in Best Australian Architecture Magazine and
Winning Design Magazine.