DAR Studio is a boutique architectural practice based in Perth, Western Australia.
We specialise in heritage architecture, focusing on the creative possibilities that arise from working with historic buildings and sites.
We provide professional heritage consultancy services as well a comprehensive architectural service for new builds, alterations and additions.
Our Team
NISAR DAR
DIRECTOR | ARCHITECT
BA(Hons), BArch, ABWA: 2988, ARB, M.ICOMOS
DAR Studio was founded by Nisar Dar in 2019 following the expansion of his work as a sole practitioner. Nisar is a Registered Architect in both WA and the UK, with over 20 years of experience in the construction industry, specialising in conservation and regeneration projects mixed with contemporary design.
His experience is broad, and he has worked across a variety of sectors – from residential and hotels to arts and cultural projects. Nisar is interested in the art of building with an environmental and social commitment that brings new life to places whilst retaining the best of the character that history has passed on to us.
SIAN FERRAZ
HERITAGE CONSULTANT
MA(Hons), M.ICOMOS
Sian is an expert historian and heritage professional with over 15 experience within the industry in Western Australia. She has worked across a broad variety of roles, including heritage assessments and registrations, stakeholder consultation and management, media and communications, policy, education, and advocacy.
Sian has a strong background working across the historic environment. Having studied Architectural History and History at the University of Edinburgh, she has a strong understanding of the principles and practice of cultural heritage and conservation and is a committee member of the Professional Historian Association WA.
She is experienced in undertaking both on site and archival research, which fully informs the detailed understanding of the significance of a place. Through this understanding of significance the potential impacts of a proposal can be fully understood, mitigated, and enhancements of historic assets can be encouraged through a conservation and interpretation led approach.
Sian has also undertaken conservation management planning for a variety of sites allowing an understanding of not just the significance of a place but also its threats, issues and opportunities for short and long-term management.
NICK RENNICK
ARCHITECTURAL CONSULTANT
BSc(Hons) PgDip | ARB RIBA
Nick is an experienced and motivated construction industry professional with significant experience as a chartered architect (UK), practice principal, technical documenter
and contract administrator. His experience is varied, with particular expertise in the commercial, institutional, industrial and residential sectors. Nick has a passion for managing projects involving sensitive and/or complex site constraints and those which generally demand a balanced and integrative approach. His highly developed design, technical and management capabilities have been essential in achieving professional progression and success to date.
Nick is currently providing architectural services to a number of ongoing development and conservation projects at Fremantle Prison.
FATHIMA SALIM
GRADUATE ARCHITECT
MArch (Curtin University)
Fathima is from Kerala in India where she completed an architectural degree and became a registered Architect. Since relocating to Perth, she has completed a Masters in Architecture at Curtin University. She has worked across a variety of sectors including residential, leisure, and commercial projects. She is highly skilled in presentation drawings, 3D modelling, visualization, and rendering through expertise with Sketchup, Revit, Lumion, V ray, Rhino, and Grasshopper.
ZOE MARSON
GRADUATE ARCHITECT
BEnvDes, MA(Hons)
Zoe graduated from University of Western Australia in 2017 and has more than 6 years experience in both Australia and the UK. Having worked in the heritage sector in Perth and high-end residential in London, Zoe has extensive experience working on complex projects involving existing built fabric. Zoe’s keen eye for detail and genuine interest in design has helped her complete a number of interior design roles in addition to her architectural work. Zoe enjoys the challenges involved in working with existing buildings in order to create a sensitive harmony between old and new.
NICOLETTA PIZZUTI
ARCHITECTURAL HERITAGE CONSULTANT
MArch | Ph.D. (Sapienza University of Rome)
Nicoletta is an architectural consultant with expertise in the heritage field. She has extensive experience as a Project Architect, researcher, and lecturer, working on public buildings, residential and hospitality projects, for private architectural firms in Perth and overseas. She holds a Doctorate in Survey and Documentation of Heritage Architecture and Sites, from the Sapienza University of Rome, Italy. Her work covers the documentation of significant historical buildings in Italy, and major UNESCO heritage sites, including the Royal Palace, in Caserta and the House of the Vettii in Pompeii.
In Western Australia Nicoletta has advised on a range of public sector and private client about heritage management and adaptive reuse of their assets. She has provided heritage and design advice for several iconic buildings, including Fremantle Post Office, Fremantle Prison, the Round House in Fremantle, the New Norcia Monastery, and the Ascot Kilns in Belmont. Nicoletta carried out teaching and research activities at the University of Western Australia and at Sapienza University of Rome. Her research interests are survey, documentation, and conservation of heritage architecture. She champions the use of informatics in survey to accurately document historical buildings in detail, formalising the relationship between drawings and built architecture.
Our Ethos
Timeless Places by Design.
Everything we work on is designed around an ethos of craftsmanship, collaboration and a connection to place.
This involves a deep understanding of the past and the contemporary demands of the future and finding a way to seamlessly combine the two. Our ambition is to make buildings which are timeless in their materiality, user experience and context.
Conservation Through Development.
DAR Studio believes that preserving cultural heritage value is not solely an act of conservation, but of
controlled development, whereby places, on the basis of their historical, material and spatial qualities,
are given new economic drivers, functionality and social relevance. Development allows us to bring
heritage buildings along with us as we progress.
Our work is based on rigorous historical research whilst also firmly focused on the future of your site,
how change is managed, and how to get the most from your project.
