Our Approach

Years Experience
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NSW & National Design Awards
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Projects Completed
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Why We Design This Way

We believe good design starts with clear planning and informed decision-making. As a building designer in Sydney, our role is to help clients navigate complex projects with confidence by creating spaces that respond to real constraints, future needs, and the way people live, work, and play over time.
Interior dining area of Pilgrims vegetarian cafe in Cronulla with timber floors, brick counter, and wooden tables and chairs

A Studio Built on Experience

Established by John Hatch in 1982, JMH Living Design has built a reputation for delivering thoughtful and practical design outcomes across a wide range of project types. With decades of industry experience, our team provides structured guidance, detailed documentation, and coordinated project support tailored to each client and site.

A Studio Built on Experience

Established by John Hatch in 1982, JMH Living Design has built a reputation for delivering thoughtful and practical design outcomes across a wide range of project types. With decades of industry experience, our team provides structured guidance, detailed documentation, and coordinated project support tailored to each client and site.

What Guides Our Work

Our work is guided by clarity, collaboration, accountability, and practical thinking. We focus on creating achievable design solutions supported by strong communication, detailed documentation, and long-term planning that responds to both immediate needs and future use.

Clear Direction

Clear communication and structured planning from the beginning, helping clients understand what is possible before major decisions are made.

Practical Design

Design solutions shaped around real life use, long-term function, site conditions, budgets, and future adaptability.

Accountable Guidance

Consistent support, detailed documentation, and reliable project coordination throughout every stage of the process.

Our Design Process

Every project begins with understanding the site, the brief, and the opportunities available. We guide clients through feasibility, concept design, consultant coordination, approvals, documentation, and construction support with a structured process designed to reduce uncertainty and keep projects moving clearly and efficiently.

What We Design

JMH Living Design provides building design and project planning services across residential homes, dual occupancies, multi-residential developments, commercial projects, hospitality venues, heritage buildings, childcare facilities, and public spaces throughout metropolitan and regional NSW.

Australian Property Institute Awards

Bundeena Rural Fire Station

Finalist, Australian Property Institute Awards 2014. Recognised for delivering a purpose-built emergency services facility that provides practical, accessible, and long-lasting support for local Rural Fire Service volunteers.
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National Design Awards Building Designers Association of Australia

Cronulla Residence

Commendation, New Residential Buildings Over $2.0 Million 2021. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the design and delivery of a high-quality custom residence that balances luxury, functionality, and long-term liveability.

Read case study

Cronulla Residence

Winner, Hebel Industry Partner Award 2021. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the use of Hebel building products and systems, demonstrating innovation, performance, and design quality in residential construction.
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Mittagong Healthcare Centre

Winner, New Commercial Buildings. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the design of a contemporary healthcare facility that supports the needs of a growing regional community.

Read case study

Mittagong Healthcare Centre

Winner, Best Use of Brickworks Products. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the innovative use of Brickworks products within a high-quality commercial building.

Read case study
Pilgrims vegetarian cafe in Cronulla heritage corner building with street level shops and upper floor windows

Pilgrims Restaurant Cronulla

Winner, Heritage & Commercial Interiors 2014. Recognised for the adaptive reuse of a heritage building, transforming it into a welcoming restaurant that balances contemporary hospitality design with the character and history of the original structure.
Read case study

Miranda Medical centre

Commendation, Commercial Alterations & Additions 2013. Recognised for the successful transformation of an existing commercial building into a modern healthcare facility, delivered within a tight timeframe while accommodating a wide range of medical and allied health services.

Sutherland Shire leisure centre

Winner, Non-Residential Interiors 2012. Recognised for the redesign of the leisure centre’s entry and reception areas, creating a light-filled interior that improves user experience, staff functionality, and connection to the surrounding landscape.
Read case study

Sutherland Shire Leisure Centre

Winner, Non-Residential Interiors 2012. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in non-residential interior design.
Read case study

NSW Design Awards Building Designers Association of Australia

Luxury hillside home with curved balcony, palm trees and landscaped garden at gated entrance

Binda Road, Yowie Bay

Winner, Best Use of Glass 2005. Recognised for the innovative use of glazing to maximise natural light, enhance connections to outdoor spaces, and improve the overall living experience within the development.
Read case study

Binda Road, Yowie Bay

Winner, Best Use of Glass 2005. Recognised for the innovative use of glazing to maximise natural light, enhance connections to outdoor spaces, and improve the overall living experience within the development.
Read case study

Cranbrook Place, Illawong

Winner, Residences Over 450sqm in Size 2005. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the design of a large-scale residential home.
Read case study

Cranbrook Place, Illawong

Commendation, Best Use of Glass 2004. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the application of glass within residential design.
Read case study
Brick duplex townhouse with shared driveway, garage and landscaped front garden in suburban street

Cromdale Road, Mortdale

Winner, Multi Residential Development (3–6 Units) 1997. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in multi-residential development design.
Read case study

Australian Property Institute Awards

Bundeena Rural Fire Station

Every project begins with understanding your site, goals, and how the space needs to function over time.

With 45+ years of industry experience, we guide you through the decisions required to move from early ideas to build ready documentation. Our role is to simplify complex choices, provide clear advice, and help your project move forward with confidence.

Read case study

National Design Awards Building Designers Association of Australia

Cronulla Residence

Commendation, New Residential Buildings Over $2.0 Million 2021. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the design and delivery of a high-quality custom residence that balances luxury, functionality, and long-term liveability.

Read case study

Mittagong Healthcare Centre

Winner, New Commercial Buildings. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the design of a contemporary healthcare facility that supports the needs of a growing regional community.

Read case study

Mittagong Healthcare Centre

Winner, Best Use of Brickworks Products. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the innovative use of Brickworks products within a high-quality commercial building.

Read case study
Pilgrims vegetarian cafe in Cronulla heritage corner building with street level shops and upper floor windows

Pilgrims Restaurant Cronulla

Winner, Heritage & Commercial Interiors 2014. Recognised for the adaptive reuse of a heritage building, transforming it into a welcoming restaurant that balances contemporary hospitality design with the character and history of the original structure.
Read case study

Miranda Medical centre

Commendation, Commercial Alterations & Additions 2013. Recognised for the successful transformation of an existing commercial building into a modern healthcare facility, delivered within a tight timeframe while accommodating a wide range of medical and allied health services.

Sutherland Shire leisure centre

Winner, Non-Residential Interiors 2012. Recognised for the redesign of the leisure centre’s entry and reception areas, creating a light-filled interior that improves user experience, staff functionality, and connection to the surrounding landscape.
Read case study

Sutherland Shire Leisure Centre

Winner, Non-Residential Interiors 2012. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in non-residential interior design.
Read case study

NSW Design Awards Building Designers Association of Australia

Luxury hillside home with curved balcony, palm trees and landscaped garden at gated entrance

Binda Road, Yowie Bay

Winner, Best Use of Glass 2005. Recognised for the innovative use of glazing to maximise natural light, enhance connections to outdoor spaces, and improve the overall living experience within the development.
Read case study

Binda Road, Yowie Bay

Winner, Best Use of Glass 2005. Recognised for the innovative use of glazing to maximise natural light, enhance connections to outdoor spaces, and improve the overall living experience within the development.
Read case study

Cranbrook Place, Illawong

Winner, Residences Over 450sqm in Size 2005. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the design of a large-scale residential home.
Read case study

Cranbrook Place, Illawong

Commendation, Best Use of Glass 2004. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in the application of glass within residential design.
Read case study
Brick duplex townhouse with shared driveway, garage and landscaped front garden in suburban street

Cromdale Road, Mortdale

Winner, Multi Residential Development (3–6 Units) 1997. Recognised by the Building Designers Association of Australia for excellence in multi-residential development design.
Read case study

Why Clients Choose Us

We went to John from JMH with a rough idea of what we wanted to create – he was able to come back with numerous ideas that eventually led to a design we had not imagined, yet was perfect for our needs. JMH staff are easy to deal with, friendly and make the process of design and council approvals as least stressful as possible.
Cronulla Residential Alternations & Additions
We had our house designed by John Hatch 22 years ago. His ideas, advice, expertise and knowledge were amazing and so helpful. We ended up with a very functional, smart, clever and stylish home that is just as perfect today as it was 22 years ago. It has served the purpose of having young kids, teenagers and hundreds of overseas visitors staying. Thank you “Hatchie”.
Ulla H

Future Focused Design

The way people live, work, and interact with space continues to evolve. We approach every project with long-term performance in mind, designing homes and buildings that support changing lifestyles, growing families, accessibility needs, and future adaptability.