Redefining the way we build & live.

Architect and Director.

Dipl. Architecture | London

BA (Hons) Architecture | Liverpool

Michael has over 20 years experience in the industry. He has worked for TPBennett and KSS in London, Hassell Architects and Lausanne Property in Sydney and was head of property for Andrew Forrest in Western Australia.

Michael has also involved in residential and commercial projects across Australia, New Zealand, Europe and Asia, as well as island nations in the South Pacific.

In addition to his experience as an Architect, Michael is a co-founder of Balanced Earth Pty Ltd, a Byron Bay building firm specialising in Hempcrete and low impact construction. His decades of experience in the building industry lend a unique offering to projects including up to date knowledge on costing and creative use of materials.

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Michael is an engaged member of the community. He established a regional football coaching program for children ranging from novice to elite and lends his years of industry experience to charitable causes such as the S.H.I.F.T Project, who provide unique individual support and education for at risk women.

Design Director.

Master of architecture | Bordeaux, France

BA Architecture | Bordeaux , France

Leo trained in France and has over nine years of architectural design experience in Australia, including for Melbourne firms McGlashan Everest Architects and Edwards Moore Architects, before joining Balanced Earth in 2016.

Fusing European contemporary style with creative design solutions, Leo has delivered many residential projects at Balanced Earth and has been the lead designer on high-profile commercial projects such as The Sunseeker Motel and The Innovation Centre at the Cape Byron Rudolph Steiner School.

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Leo volunteers with Marine Rescue NSW and manages the Kids Plot at the Mullumbimby Farmers Market, a free community space for children & parents, providing mentorship through the joy of creative play.

Leo regularly joins the site teams on Hempcrete installation days and he and his partner built a Hempcrete dwelling on family land.

Bachelor of Industrial Design

Certificate of Building Design

At 23 Jamie shifted from an already diverse Industrial Design career in Sydney, to Design and Hand build a bespoke dwelling in the Blue Mountains. Whilst working on both commercial fitouts and residential builds, he acquired a comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience of construction. From design through to site set out, carpentry, steel fabrication, concreting and formwork, Jamie brings practical knowledge to his architecture.

After moving to the Byron Shire he has worked in architectural practices in the norther rivers area for 20 years, working on High end residential, Commercial, Government School Grant projects, all the way to the tiniest humble hemp shack in the hills.

Jamie has been with Balanced Earth from ground zero, working on many residential projects and has been the lead designer on technically challenging projects such as Radial House.

Jamie enjoys being part of the process that brings peoples dream homes into reality.

NSW Registered Architect

Master Architecture R.M.I.T

Bachelor Architectural Design R.M.I.T

Passive House (passivehaus) Certified Designer

Over the last 15 years, Mercedes has gained experience working for some of Australia’s most highly regarded architecture firms, (Denton Corker Marshall, Hayball, Troppo Architect) before shifting focus and refining her interest while contributing to smaller firms (Templeton Architects, Zaher Architects) where a new level of more intimate experience in the residential sector was obtained.

Mercedes acquired her Master's and Bachelor of Architecture from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and spent time abroad studying in Italy and Austria, as well as exhibiting her work at international architecture exhibitions including the 2012 Venice Biennale of Architecture. She has taught at Monash University and sat on the Victorian Chapter Council at the Australian Institute of Architects, 2013-2015 as the EmAGN/ SONAA graduate representative. More locally, Mercedes has volunteered with organizations such as Creative Mullumbimby and Women's Village Collective, and is an elected member of the Place Planning Collective at Byron Shire Council. In 2016 Mercedes sought a sea change, opting for a more balanced lifestyle in the Byron Shire where she was able to better explore her interest in the outdoors, ceramics, film, and piano alongside her architectural work.

Mercedes is particularly passionate about high-performance, low-energy, healthy homes, completing her Passive House Designer Certification in 2021, and is eager to see passive house intelligence blend with the earthy beauty and performance of Hempcrete.

Landscape Architect.

BA Landscape Architecture

Paul began his professional career at renowned landscape architecture firm EDAW. There he developed his design and industry skills on some of the most significant landscape and urban design projects in Australia.

Paul is interested in blurring the line between the built form and landscape so that the garden, large or small can be integrated with the home and experienced as an outdoor ‘room’ by combining traditional design methods with digital 3D modelling to help conceptualise and enhance the design.

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Paul is a founding member of Dustyeski, the ‘fake genuine Russian choir' who are a collective pillar of the local community, and more recently a globally viral sensation.