Contact

In Fishermans Bend

Level 1, 650 Lormier Street
Port Melbourne
Bunurong Boon Wurrung Country
Victoria, Australia 3207

c/o 1043 Lighthouse Road,
formerly nuenonne Country,
lunawani | South Bruny Island
lutruwita | Tasmania, Australia 7150

hello@heliotope.com

+61 431 954 977

For collaborations or architectural services inquiries, please get in contact above.

We can help make your building more resilient and relevant; minimse its environmental impact and contribute positively to the systems it is a part of.

instagram.com/heliotope_studio/

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About

Heliotope is a regenerative architecture practice. We are working to shift from a linear consumption-based model of practice to one that restores and replenishes the environment for all.

We believe that architecture should do less harm. We acknowledge the role that architecture has had historically in the consumption of resources and ecological destruction, as well as upholding systems of power.

We take a long-term perspective of our designs—considering where our materials come from, stone that has formed over millennia, and where they are going- linoleum that takes 10,000 years to break down in landfill. We design for adaptation—for future climates and future technologies; as well as the re-use of materials within buildings. We want to empower our clients and communities to participate in the design process and make informed decisions about their built environment. We want to design in a way that lets natural systems and other beings lead fulfilling lives.

Heliotope works across architecture, design and research—delivering and adapting buildings such as houses, meeting places, galleries and public spaces, as well as conducting research into local ecologies, resource and refuse systems.

We approach our work with an ethic of speculative care as a tool for imagining more considerate, equitable, and just futures.

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Helios—Ἥλιος (Hḗlios), from ἥλιος (hḗlios, “sun”)+ Topos—τόπος (tópos, “place”)

'Heliotope' is constructed from 'helos' (the sun) and 'topos' (site); referencing the specificities of place; how the sun interacts with this particular part of the planet to support the life-forms and natural systems unique to south eastern Australia.

It talks of living more consciously within the specificities of immediate site - local ecosystems, climates, cultures, social factors, industries, economies, systems and resources—each of whom share common biospheres, ecologies, language groups and climate characteristics. Heliotope practice strives to find a vernacular to express this place, and our position within the Anthropocene.

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Us

Jane Caught

Jane was born on Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country, on the Birrarung, Yarra River—the river of mists—and moved as an infant to grow up in a remote part of lutruwita, Tasmania; on Tommeginer Country and instilled with a deep love and commitment to the natural environment. Having commenced her architectural studies at University of Melbourne and completing her degree at RMIT as part of the Spatial Information Architecture Laboratory (SIAL), Jane co-founded the collaborative architecture practice Sibling in 2012. After a period of nine years establishing the practice, Jane founded Heliotope in 2021, determined to find a more responsible way of practising architecture in this place.

Her research and multi-disciplinary collaborations contribute to the development of low carbon, climate-adaptive projects; with a focus on emerging technologies, construction industry waste streams and local production economies and ecosystems. She is an educator and maintains strong ties with academia, leading design studios at Monash University and RMIT, and with affiliations to UTAS.

Jane herself brings a range of further accreditations and affiliations to the practice, as well as over 20 years working in the profession. Jane is Living Future accredited and a Professional Living Member, as well as a sitting member of the Australian Institute of Architects National Residential Sustainability Advisory Group. She is also an active member of the Melbourne Regenerative Design Forum.

Will Bennie

Since 2018 Will has worked in a range of practice and academic settings. He has extensive experience in educational and multi-residential projects, amongst a range of public building typology experience. He is a highly accomplished architectural visualiser.

Will has undertaken academic work in a research capacity alongside multiple architects in areas ranging from parametric design, to historical research and documentation. Two of these projects were contributions to international architecture biennales.

Will completed his Master of Architecture at RMIT University. His thesis project explores Architecture’s relationship with divergent scales of time and its ability to account for the social and economic machinations of the City. Within Heliotope he continues to explore spatialities that expand beyond typical architectural practice into social and environmental inquiry.

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Heliotope capability

Holds $10M Professional Indemnity Insurance.
Holds $20M Public Liability Insurance.
Has OH&S systems in place.
Has Quality Assurance systems in place.
Has Sustainability Assurance Systems in place.
Pays the Rent – 1% of revenue – visit www.paytherent.net.au if you would like to too.

Heliotope has working relationships with state government organisations, various local councils and a range of private clients. We are registered as an Architectural firm with the Architect’s Registration Board of Victoria and the Board of Archtect’s Tasmania, as well as an A+ Member of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Heliotope holds deep capability and experience of delivering experience in delivering community, commercial, cultural and educational buildings; as well as delightful residential projects. We design for diversity and inclusion – all bodies; as well as agency within our shared spaces.