Recognised nationally and across NSW for excellence in building design, Distinct Innovations delivers custom design homes that combine creativity, quality, and functionality. With multiple industry awards and satisfied homeowners and developers, we’re the trusted choice for bringing beautifully designed, bespoke homes to life.
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Whether you’re building a new home, renovating a heritage property, undertaking a dual occupancy project, or redesigning your home with a modern residential extension, Distinct Innovations provides personalised building design and architectural drafting services that enhance your lifestyle and maximise your property’s potential.
We take the time to understand your lifestyle, your site, and your vision, creating bespoke architectural plans that fit seamlessly and elevate your everyday living.
We offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation, either at your site or in our Castle Hill studio. Based in Castle Hill and with 30 years experience we have designed hundreds of homes right across Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Illawarra. With a deep understanding of all Greater Sydney Council regulations, bushfire zoning, and heritage overlays, we ensure your plans are both inspired and compliant.​​​​
We tailor a design package and fee proposal to suit your budget, ranging from basic construction drawings to full-featured external and internal detailing. The choice is yours.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​
​Our Expertise:
From Concept to Council Approval
Building Design & Architectural Drafting
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Custom Home Design
Simple to Sophisticated
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Custom Home Design
Classic to Contemporary
Traditional, Luxury, Period & Coastal Homes
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Renovations and Additions/Extensions
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Units, Apartments, Villas, Town Houses, Terrace Homes
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Housing Development Site Planning
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Modern Duplex and Dual Occupancy
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Granny flats
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Secondary Homes
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All Budgets Welcome
Planning & Approvals Simplified
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Full Investigation into your site's Building Code
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Concept Designs
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Architectural Drafting Plans & Documentation
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Council-Ready DA & CDC Plans
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Development Applications (DA Plans)
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Construction Drawings (CC Plans)
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Building Specifications
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Applications and approvals by:
Council Approvals
Private Certifier​ Approvals
Complying Development Approvals​
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Bushfire Attack (BAL) Assessment Site Planning & Studies
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Basix Certification​​
The Full Service Advantage:
Sustainable Design
Our designs are backed by a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Design, allowing us to go beyond standard BASIX Certification.
We integrate energy-efficient principles from full passive solar design to targeted, budget-conscious solutions, tailored specifically to your site’s orientation and restrictions.
Interior Detailing
Beyond floor plans, we offer tailored interior design services to suit your needs. Whether you require a simple suggested schedule of finishes or a complete interior package, including full cabinetry design and detailed material specifications. We ensure every room combines style with daily functionality
Site Visitations
To ensure your project is delivered exactly as envisioned, we offer optional site visitation meetings throughout construction. We act as a professional set of eyes, collaborating with your builder to resolve site-specific queries and ensuring the design integrity and quality of your vision are maintained.
3D Visualisation
Experience your design in high definition. We offer flexible 3D visualisation options, ranging from simple conceptual models for volume and light studies to full-colour, cinematic fly-throughs incorporating your suggested materials and textures.
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.