A team that cares and one you can rely on ...
Since starting the business in July 2002, owners Donna and John Harding-Smith have been passionate about their work and determined for Lateral Building Design to be the best!
John is a Registered Building Practitioner and along with our design team has qualifications in building design, architectural drafting and building construction. Donna is our Business Manager and together with the admin team looks after all of the admin, clerical and financial roles.
We're also members of the Building Designers Association of Victoria and professional development is important so we can provide the best services to you.
We're approachable and professional with our team, clients and consultants and we are striving for success all the time. Our line of work can be frustrating however enjoying our work and having fun not to mention being proud of our successes makes it all worthwhile.
We've completed thousands of projects and are thrilled that we have a 95% success rate in achieving permits for our clients! How good is that? It's important to us that you're comfortable with us and confident that we know what we are doing!
Our ServicesCommunity service
It's important to us to play an active role in the community and to 'give-back', which we do in a number of ways:
Children of Gambia Services (CoGS) Australia
Donna is a co-founder and Treasurer of this charity which provides international aid to a village in The Gambia, a very remote part of West Africa.
www.cogsaustralia.org.au
www.facebook.com/CogsGambiaAustralia
Rotary Club of Maroondah (formerly Ringwood)
Donna & John were formally inducted as members in May 2015 and look forward to supporting worthwhile causes and events close to home.
Guide Dogs Victoria
We've raised and/or sponsored 10 guide dog puppies. Sometimes the puppies come to work where they learn how to behave in an office environment. They are also quite cheeky and often enjoy sneaking out from under the desk when we're not looking! Check out the pics of the gorgeous puppies on their site.
Introducing some of our team
John
Design Manager
Certificate of Technology - Building (Architectural Drafting)
Registered Building Practitioner
First day at LBD: 01/07/2002
Likes / hobbies
Golf, reading and good red wine!
Favourite quote
"You can design and create, and build the most wonderful place in the world. But it takes people to make the dream a reality" - Walt Disney
Donna
Business Manager
Bachelor of Business (Accounting)
First day at LBD: 01/07/2002
Likes / hobbies
Learning new things, looking after guide dog puppies, dining out, keeping fit
Favourite quote
"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always be what you've always been."
Mark
Practice Manager
Associate Diploma of Architectural Drafting
Member BDAV
First day at LBD: 01/07/2002
Likes / hobbies
Movies, classic cars, photography, technology and cycling rail trails.
Favourite quote
"Do what you wanna do, be what you wanna be....yeah"
Kym
Senior Designer
Associate Diploma of Architectural Drafting
Registered Building Practitioner
First day at LBD: 16/01/2012
Likes / hobbies
Reading extensively!!, Bikram yoga, days at the beach with my mini Dachshund, Tilly
Favourite quote
"The key to great design is capturing the spirit of the Client and the essence of the space".
Jane
Building Designer
Advanced Diploma of Building Design & Technology
First day at LBD: Oct 2008
Likes / hobbies
Renovating, gardening, tennis, wine and cheese!
Favourite quote
"Design is not just what it looks and feels like, but also how it works!"
Kath
Building Designer
Advanced Diploma of Building Design & Technology
First day at LBD: 14/11/2011
Likes / hobbies
Bike riding, travel, red wine & family
Favourite quote
"The longer you leave it, the harder it gets."
Liza
Building Designer
Advanced Diploma of Building Design
First day at LBD: 28/10/2014
Likes / hobbies
Good food, historical architecture, and learning about the world
Favourite quote
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough." - Mae West
Catherine
Building Designer
Advanced Diploma of Building Design - Architectural
First day at LBD: 10/07/2017
Likes / hobbies
Dancing, skiing, photography and antipasto platters.
Favourite quote
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle
Lynley
Co-Director of First Impressions! Reception/Admin Assistant
First day at LBD: 21/06/2010
Likes / hobbies
Reading, shopping, listening to music, spending time with my family
Favourite quote
"Happiness is found along the way not at the end of the road."
Corban
Building Designer
Advanced Diploma of Building Design
First day at LBD: 22/10/2018
Likes / hobbies
Family, Art, Sports
Favourite quote
"Fantasy is a necessary ingredient in living. It's a way of looking at life through the wrong end of a telescope." Dr Seuss
Vanessa
Marketing Coordinator
With over 15 years experience
First day at LBD: 23/04/2019
Likes / hobbies
Family time, netball, gym, socialising with friends and anywhere with a beach!
Favourite quote
"For every minute you spend angry, you lose 60 seconds of happiness."
