Studio


Downie North is a Sydney-based practice known for creating considerate and sensitive Architecture and Interiors. Founded by Directors Catherine Downie and Daniel North in 2015, we strive to create spaces of beauty, connected to place—from city to coast to country—built on the strength of our collaborative process with our clients.
        We create homes that are conscious and responsive to our client's needs, of the landscape in which it sits, and ultimately delightful. Our homes are meticulously put together, yet aren’t precious. How a home feels through the day, the changes from season to season, are experiences essential to nourish us. Tactile materials that age gracefully and demonstrate the hand of the maker grounds us. The balance of privacy and connection, particularly to the landscape, nurtures us.



Catherine Downie
Having grown up around Sydney's harbourside, Catherine's has a love of landscape and the intangible qualities of place that informs her architecture. Before co-founding Downie North, Catherine gained extensive experience on award winning residential, interior and public projects. Catherine graduated from the University of Sydney with First Class Honours and was shortlisted for the RAIA NSW Chapter Design Medal. She is the recipient of the University of Sydney Architectural Science Prize and Outstanding Merit Scholarship.

NSW Registered Architect #8818


Daniel North
Daniel’s love of architecture began early when his family built a house amongst bushland on Sydney’s northern beaches. With a childhood sailing and bushwalking around Pittwater, his passion for drawing set him on the pursuit of architecture borne out of respect for landscape and place. Prior to co-founding Downie North, he worked with a number of Australia’s most esteemed architects. Daniel graduated from the University of New South Wales with Honours and is a member of The Australian Institute of Architects.

NSW Registered Architect #8734
Year
Project
Award





2024   
Queens Park    
AIA NSW Architecture Awards, Residential Architecture—Houses (Alterations & Additions) (Shortlist)

2023
House for BEES
Mosman Design Awards (Overall Winner)

2023
House for BEES
Houses Awards, House Alteration & Addition Over 200m2 (Commendation)

2023
House for BEES
AIA NSW Architecture Awards, Residential Architecture—Houses (Alterations & Additions) (Commendation)

2023
House for BEES
AIA NSW Architecture Awards, EmAGN Project Award (Shortlist)

2023
House for BEES
Australian Interior Design Awards, Residential Design (Shortlist)

2022
Mosman Minka
AIA NSW Architecture Awards, Residential Architecture—Houses (Alterations & Additions) (Finalist)

2022
Mosman Minka
Houses Awards, House Alteration & Addition Over 200m2 (Finalist)

2022
Mosman Minka
Inside Out x Brickworks House of the Year Awards, Best Home Renovation (Runner Up)

2022
Mosman Minka
Dulux Colour Awards (Finalist)

2021
Mosman Minka
ArchiTeam Awards, Residential Alterations & Additions (Commendation)

2021
Mosman Minka
Dezeen Awards, House Interior (Longlist)

2021
Mosman Minka
Dezeen Awards, Residential Rebirth Project (Longlist)

2020
Machiya House
ArchDaily, Building of the Year (Shortlist)

2019
Dragon Kite Residence
Houses Awards, Emerging Architecture Practice (Shortlist)

2019
Machiya House
Houses Awards, Emerging Architecture Practice (Shortlist)

2019
Machiya House
AIA NSW Architecture Awards, Residential Architecture—Houses, (Alterations & Additions) (Finalist)

2019
Machiya House
Houses Awards, House Alteration & Addition Under 200m2 (Finalist)

2019
Machiya House
Dezeen Awards, Residential Rebirth Project (Finalist)

2019
Dragon Kite Residence
Houses Awards, Apartment or Unit (Finalist)

2018
Skylit House
Archilovers (Best Project)

2014
Neutral Bay House
Houses Awards, House Alteration & Addition Under 200m2 (Finalist)

Year
Project
Publication



















































Downie North respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work, the Cammeraygal and Borogegal people of the Eora nation.