Bijl Architecture is an ambitious Sydney practice seeking to challenge the status quo. We believe that our homes, schools and places of gathering are an expression of our communities’ collective values and hopes, for now and for the future.
Through our work, we make these aspirations resolutely life-affirming and real.

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 our shared social and built legacy.
We acknowledge the First Nations people who are the traditional owners of the unceded lands upon which we work, who have cared for Country over many generations. In our practice, we embrace an open design culture that prompts us, our clients and our colleagues to learn about Country and to take reconciliation actions.
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.
Our Process
Bijl Architecture is a full-service architectural practice. We offer concept designs and feasibility studies through to planning applications, construction documentation, interior design, and contract administration.
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 important factors to you. We’ll then research your site and its context 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 likely process for your project.
Bijl Architecture’s inclusive approach fosters long-standing relationships with clients, builders, consultants and peers, forming the basis of enjoyable and successful projects.
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: Design Development
Our Team
Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA MAICD
Director and Principal Architect

Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA MAICD
Director and Principal Architect
Nominated Architect NSW ARB 6846 ARBV 19214 BoATAS 1080
Associate Professor, UNSW FADA - School of Built Environment
Academic Member, NSW Architects Registration Board
NSW APE Convenor, AACA
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, research, and design excellence. From her formative career based in residential design, Melonie’s practice now extends to public, education and community architecture - a natural extension for her enquiring mind and drive for empathic and effective architecture.
Melonie exerts an untiring commitment to championing the potential of people and architecture, through her projects, practice, and professional activities. While of significant benefit to the wider architectural profession, Melonie's achievements as architect, agitator, educator and mentor have been instrumental to BIJL Architecture's emergence as an influential architectural practice.
Highly regarded by her peers, Melonie has received national recognition from the Australian Institute of Architects - she was recently elevated to Life Fellow for notable contributions to the architectural profession (2020) and receiving the Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize in the 2018 Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards. For her research project 'BuildAbility' she won the Byera Hadley Travelling Scholarship (2009) and the NAWIC IWD scholarship (2010).
Melonie's commitment to architectural education is well known - in 2020 she was appointed Associate Professor (Architecture) at UNSW FADA School of Built Environment, having previously taught for over a decade at the UTS School of Architecture, including as an Adjunct Professor (2012-19). She is the NSW APE Convenor and the current Academic Member of the NSW Architects Registration Board.
Read more about Melonie in Parlour's interview, In Conversation with....

Andrew Lee
Senior Associate, Nominated Architect

Vanessa Tang-Lee
Associate, Senior Project Leader

Rachael O'Toole
Architect

Joanne Kieltyka
Architect

Bradley Payne
Graduate

Kurt Egan
Graduate

Piers Bayl-Smith
Studio Manager
Accreditation
Bijl Architecture holds the following certifications:
- ISO 9001:2015
- ISO 14001:2015
- ISO 45001:2018
Bijl Architecture is prequalified under the NSW GA Strategy and Design Excellence Panel — Architecture
Membership
Bijl Architecture is a registered architectural practice in NSW and Victoria (no. 51837)
A+ Member: Australian Institute of Architects

Member and IWD Scholarship Alumna: NAWIC

Accredited Member Better Business Partnership

Supporter: Built Environment Channel

Intriguer and Marion's List Member: Parlour

Corporate Sponsor: Sydney Youth Orchestras

Nominated Champion Charity: Wayside Chapel

Site Information
Website.
Profile photography.
Kirsten Delaney
Archive note.
Projects prior 2011 were completed as Liquid Architecture.