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 improve our comfort and connections: to each other, to ourselves, and to future generations. This focuses our renowned energy and determination in the daily pursuit of these aims, both with and for our clients.
Being unapologetic opportunists, we seek to create designs that bring enduring surprise and delight. We are always seeing potential.
Our residential projects are borne from an empathic, deeply personal expression of our clients’ vision; our educational and public works invest in the potential of architecture to serve people through advancing pedagogy, industry and ideas.
Through teaching, research and advocacy, we raise our voices tirelessly to progress the profession in the interests of our shared legacy - for students, practitioners, and the public alike.
By acknowledging the traditional owners of the lands where we work, our practice embraces an open design culture - to encourage us and our clients to learn about country and to make reconciliation actions.
Most of all, our architecture is impeccably detailed, grounded in economic mindfulness, perceptive, and proudly Bijl – alive with light, character; sometimes mercurial, always striving.
Our Team
Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA MAICD
Director and Principal Architect

Melonie Bayl-Smith LFRAIA MAICD
Director and Principal Architect
Associate Professor, UNSW Faculty of Built Environment
Elected Member, NSW Architects Registration Board
NSW Convenor, AACA
Nominated Architect NSW ARB 6846 ARBV 19214 BoATAS 1080
Architecture needs more architects like Melonie Bayl-Smith.
Melonie’s commitment to championing the potential of people and architecture, both within her projects, practice, and the profession, is indefatigable.
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 contributions now extend to public, education and community architecture - a natural extension for her enquiring mind and drive for empathic and effective architecture.
Through mentoring, lecturing and working to improve educational standards, Melonie’s commitment to the future of the profession is clear. As a recipient of both Byera Hadley and NAWIC IWD scholarships, Melonie’s research project 'BuildAbility' revealed the urgent imperative to progress architectural curricula in response to changing pedagogical and professional needs.
In 2020 Melonie has been appointed to the role of Associate Professor at UNSW Faculty of Built Environment (Architecture), having taught in the UTS School of Architecture for twelve years where she was Adjunct Professor (2012-20). She is currently an elected member of the NSW Architects Registration Board, and is the AACA State Convenor for the registration of architects in NSW.
Melonie has been recognised at a national level by the Australian Institute of Architects - in 2020 she was elevated to Life Fellow for notable contributions to the architectural profession, after being made a Fellow in 2018. She was also awarded the Paula Whitman Leadership in Gender Equity Prize as part of the 2018 Australian Achievement in Architecture Awards. Most recently, Melonie has served as the immediate past Co-Chair of the Institute's National Committee for Gender Equity (2018-20).
Melonie’s achievements as architect, agitator, educator, champion and mentor have been instrumental to advancing the profession and BIJL’s emergence as an influential architectural practice.
Read more about Melonie in Parlour's interview, In Conversation with....

Andrew Lee
Senior Associate, Nominated Architect

Chelsea Dawson
Associate

Rachael O'Toole
Architect

Bill Hinchcliff
Graduate of Architecture

Bradley Payne
Graduate of Architecture
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 & IWD Scholarship winner: NAWIC

Supporter: Built Environment Channel

Intriguer/Donor/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.