About – Bijl

Guided by the belief that architecture must bring enduring surprise and delight, Bijl Architecture is an ambitious practice that seeks to challenge the status quo.

Our projects create life-affirming places and spaces that better connect us to each other, ourselves, and the future generations who will inherit our collective legacy.

Our Philosophy

At Bijl Architecture, our practice is guided by the belief that architecture must bring enduring surprise and delight. It must improve our connections to each other, to ourselves, and to future generations.

Our residential projects are borne from an empathic, deeply personal expression of our clients’ vision for living; our educational and public architecture progresses the values of the wider community.

Sustainable practices are evident not only in our long-time holistic design approach but in the accredited quality systems that frame our operations. We pursue constant improvements in our work and built output with the future good firmly in mind.

We acknowledge the First Nations people of Australia who have cared for Country over many generations: we embrace an open design culture that encourages reconciliation and understanding.

From this philosophical framework we create architecture that is impeccably detailed, grounded in economic mindfulness, perceptive, and proudly Bijl – alive with light, character; sometimes mercurial, always striving.

Capability Statement - Education Projects

Capability Statement - Public and Community Projects

Our Process

Bijl Architecture is a full-service architecture and interior design practice. We offer concept designs and feasibility studies through to planning applications, construction documentation, detailed and interior design, and contract administration services.

Our projects are realised through a transparent process built on trust and open conversation. From the very first meeting we listen: we discuss your brief, expectations, scope of works, budget, and other factors important to you. We’ll then research your site and its context, and prepare and present several design options that marry your brief with our observations and reflections. We also examine town planning obligations, map out an estimate of project and construction costs, and provide further information around time and the likely process for your project.

Bijl Architecture’s inclusive approach fosters long-standing relationships with clients, builders, consultants and peers, and this approach has informed the many enjoyable and successful projects we have completed to date.

Our projects are found throughout Sydney and circle our beloved home suburb of Willoughby, but our work also takes us to regional NSW, Victoria and Tasmania. Enquiries from further afield are always welcome.

How we work: Concept Design

How we work: Design Development

How we work: Planning Applications

How we work: Construction Documentation

How we work: Interior Design

How we work: Construction

Our Team

Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA MAICD AFHEA

Director and Principal Architect

Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA MAICD AFHEA

Director and Principal Architect

Nominated Architect ARB NSW 6846 ARBV 19214 BATAS 1080

Associate Professor, UNSW ADA - School of Built Environment

Architecture needs more architects like Melonie Bayl-Smith.

Founding BIJL Architecture in 2012, Melonie has built a practice dedicated to pursuing meaningful and inclusive client relationships and design excellence. Melonie’s practice extends across residential, public, education and community projects, leveraging her drive for empathic and effective architecture.

Melonie exerts an untiring commitment to championing the potential of people and architecture. Her achievements as architect, agitator, educator and mentor have benefited the wider profession and been instrumental in BIJL Architecture's emergence as a practice of note.

Highly regarded by her peers, Melonie is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects and was awarded the 2018 Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize. As both an elected and academic member, Melonie served three consecutive terms on the NSW Architects Registration Board (2017-23), and was the Board-appointed NSW APE Convenor from 2018-24.

Melonie's commitment to architectural education is well known - in 2020 she was appointed Associate Professor (Architecture) at UNSW ADA School of Built Environment, having previously taught for over a decade at the UTS School of Architecture, including as Adjunct Professor (2012-19). Her research project 'BuildAbility - the Future of Construction Education' was funded by a Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship (2009) and the NAWIC IWD scholarship (2010).

In a past life, Melonie was a professional musician - these days often substituted by attending live music, listening, reading and talking about music, and buying, selling and collecting records.

Read more about Melonie in Parlour's interview, In Conversation with....

Vanessa Tang-Lee MDIA

Associate, Senior Project Leader

Vanessa Tang-Lee MDIA
Associate, Senior Project Leader

Interior Designer

B.Des. B.Art. Dip.Man. (UTS)

For Vanessa, great design is the natural outworking of a fulsome and enjoyable process realised through a close working relationship with the client. By taking this partnering approach, Vanessa's approach is to emphasise the importance of good design, regardless of project scale, type or budget. In turn, her focus is always on realising the client's brief, underpinned by a desire to achieve human comfort, longevity, and a strong aesthetic sensibility.

Having made significant contributions during her previous eight-year stint with BIJL Architecture, in 2018 Vanessa moved into senior roles with CalderFlower and then CK Design International. At these practices, Vanessa diversified her experience across larger scale projects in the commercial, aged care, public and institutional sectors.

Since her return to BIJL Architecture in 2021, Vanessa's robust industry knowledge and broadened experience has brought continued benefit to all of our clients and their projects - especially to their furniture collections!

David Beer

Senior Project Leader

David Beer
Senior Project Leader

ARB RIBA

David joined BIJL Architecture in late 2024 and in close alignment with our ethos, believes in the many benefits of quality design. He enjoyed his formative years working in the architectural conservation sector in England, and this rare and treasured experience broadened over time to span a wide range of building types including, hospitals, sports facilities, retail, rail, and high-end residential work. David's knowledge of historic architecture means he is adept at working with existing and heritage buildings, with a particular interest in materiality - designing for longevity, context, beauty, and touch.

Over the years, David has fostered good working relationships with clients and builders alike, and he is happiest on site working harmoniously with all the people involved to achieve a successful project.

Outside of work, David loves following the England Rugby Team, mountain biking, running, art and attempting to compose music!

James Constance

Architectural Assistant

James Constance
Architectural Assistant

B.Arch.St. with Distinction (UNSW)

For James, the experience of architecture underpins everything important about its endless potential to create atmospheres, moods and moments that provoke delight and wonder. His passion for design and construction is matched only by a deep empathy for people and the importance of creating meaningful places and spaces. James' commitment to these all-important aspects of the discipline have been evident over the course of his studies, earning him a place on the UNSW Dean's Merit List in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Having joined BIJL Architecture in late 2024, James previously gained experience at Lockhart-Krause Architects, where he developed his foundational knowledge of practice. Outside of the studio, James is an avid runner who takes pleasure in exploring Sydney's vibrant design, food and cultural scenes.

Henry Dudding

Architectural Assistant

Henry Dudding
Architectural Assistant

B.Arch.St. with Distinction (UNSW)

The tangible and real-world implication of every detail or decision in architecture is, for Henry, an exhilarating experience which resonates with the responsibilities and opportunities of the architectural profession. Bringing people closer to their surroundings through human-centred buildings and spaces is a focal point in Henry's design interests, alongside a keen desire to contribute to projects that directly respond to their environment through the intersection of form, materiality, climate response and abstraction.

Henry completed his bachelor's degree at UNSW with mentions on the Dean's Merit List in 2022 and 2023, and prior to commencing with us at BIJL worked as a disability support worker for the NDIS. During this time in particular, Henry's appreciation for spaces designed with people in mind was amplified.

A keen AFL player, Henry also enjoys collecting and listening to music and can be found regularly attending live shows.

Dan Godwin

Architectural Assistant

Dan Godwin
Architectural Assistant

B.Arch.St. with Distinction (UNSW)

With a keen eye for detail, Dan holds a deep interest in the potential narratives of architecture. This includes exploring how a building's tactile qualities can both tell a story about its site, and encourage real engagement with its occupants. Dan's university design studio projects reflect his developing philosophical position, captured in both elegant drawings and refined models that contributed to him winning the UNSW 2024 Renzo Piano Building Workshop Internship award. He was also named on the Dean's Merit List in 2022, 2023 and 2024.

Commencing with BIJL in the second half of 2024, Dan's prior experience was gained in sports management, as a UNSW Peer Mentor and also at BKA Architecture. Outside of work, Dan is a Division 1 Sydney North Squash Player and relishes time in the outdoors.