Designing Homes That Belong with Alex Urena

What if your "difficult" south-facing block could become your home's greatest asset? Or your tight renovation budget could create a space that feels twice its size? In this conversation, award-winning building designer Alex Urena reveals how ancient Peruvian architectural wisdom meets modern Australian sustainability to create homes that truly belong.Alex shares his unique design philosophy—one that begins with a ritual of touching the earth, asking permission, and listening to what the land wants to say. This deep respect for place, combined with 25 years of design experience across two continents, has resulted in homes that feel as though they've been there forever and will remain for generations to come.You'll discover:How south-facing sites can outperform north-facing blocks when designed with strategic courtyards, light wells, and glazing that captures indirect light while maintaining privacy and connection to natureThe secret to making compact homes feel expansive — one architect mistook Alex's 250m² project for 640m². Learn how ceiling heights, focal points, and spatial flow create perception over pure sizeReal-world passive design performance — Edgar Street stayed comfortable on a 40-degree day without air conditioning, and remained bone dry during severe flooding that turned the backyard into a swampWhy designing for "belonging" is the ultimate sustainability strategy — creating homes so perfectly suited to their site, owners, and landscape that future generations won't want to tear them downHow to navigate energy ratings without compromising design — Alex and energy assessor Robyn collaborate to achieve 7-star performance while honoring the original vision.Alex's stunning new book showcasing 20 Australian projects (featuring photography by Tim Shaw and writing by author Jane Riley) launches late February 2026. Proudly printed in Australia by Bambra Press. Published by Alex Urena Design Studio Pty Ltd with book design in collaboration with Beans Marketing, it reveals the complete design journey—from initial sketches to finished homes.Perfect for: Homeowners planning renovations or new builds in Greater Sydney and Surrounds, design enthusiasts, anyone interested in passive solar design, energy efficiency, climate adaptation, and creating homes with soul.Connect with Alex: www.alexurena.net | Instagram: @alexurenadesignstudioI'm a Principal Planner and Accredited Energy Assessor. If you’d like to work with me directly in pre-design for your project in Greater Sydney and Surrounds, or use energy rating information to help make project decisions,head to www.sustainableholmes.com.au or message me on www.instagram.com/sustainable_holmes/I’d love to help bring your sustainable home vision to life!