DNA Architects
One of Canberra's most awarded residential practices: a Braddon studio of more than twenty architects and designers, designing homes across the capital and the coast since 2001.
Braddon, ACT · In the network since 2026
- Google rating
- Industry awards
- Architects and designers
- 4.0
- 50+
- 20+
11 reviews
MBA, HIA and AIA, 2010 to 2025
led by five directors
Recognition
House of the Year, HIA and Master Builders
ACT and Southern NSW · 2022
Townhouse Villa Development of the Year, twice
HIA Australia · 2020 and 2021
National Medium Density, winner
Master Builders Australia · 2021
Why we introduce them
DNA Architects is the largest design practice on our register, and the awards case is hard to match: more than fifty MBA, HIA and AIA honours, House of the Year from both HIA and Master Builders in 2022, and HIA Australia's national Townhouse Villa Development of the Year twice. Established in 2001 by Glen Dowse and Ross Norwood, the Braddon studio now runs more than twenty architects and designers under five directors, four of them registered architects, including a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects. Director AJ Bala, a registered architect, leads client work with the collaborative, people focused approach the practice was built on. A studio this decorated that still draws most of its work from repeat clients and referrals is exactly the kind of partner we want beside an owner.
Chosen and introduced by the BuilderHQ team.
The practice
DNA Architects, Dowse Norwood and Associates, is a registered architecture practice in Braddon, established in 2001 by Glen Dowse and Ross Norwood and grown to a studio of more than twenty architects and designers under five directors, among them AJ Bala, a registered architect. The practice designs new homes, renovations and multi-residential projects across Canberra and southern New South Wales, alongside commercial and interior work, and its record spans more than fifty industry honours, including House of the Year from both HIA and Master Builders in 2022, HIA Australia's national Townhouse Villa Development of the Year in 2020 and 2021, and a national medium density award from Master Builders Australia. The studio listens first and designs to the site and the client rather than to a house style, an approach that keeps most of its work arriving through repeat clients and referrals.
Selected work
How an introduction works
01Ask us
Tell us what your build needs. Two minutes, no account required.
02We introduce
We connect you with DNA Architects directly, with a little context on your project.
03You take it from there
The relationship is yours. We take no commission and no cut.
No charge, no obligation, and no detail shared without your say.
Work with DNA Architects
Start with an introduction.
Ask us to connect you and we will make the introduction personally, with your project’s context attached.
