What Breathe does

Breathe is a privately held Australian architecture and design practice founded in 2001, operating from offices in Melbourne (Brunswick) and Olinda, Victoria. The firm delivers project-based architectural services across residential houses, multi-residential developments, commercial offices and hospitality venues, urban design, and social infrastructure, with a stated specialisation in environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Its service portfolio covers new builds, renovations, extensions, interior fit-outs, and strategic / creative direction for developments pursuing triple-bottom-line outcomes.

Breathe's most differentiated offerings include the Nightingale housing model — a replicable, fossil-fuel-free, carbon-neutral-in-operation multi-residential framework with embedded networks delivering 100% green power at wholesale rates — and the Teilhaus small-footprint housing format (24–32m² terrace homes targeting affordability and sustainability). The firm operates on bespoke, fee-for-service project pricing via a New Project Enquiry form on its website, with revenue generated through contracts with property developers (Milieu Property, Small Giants, Hygge Property, Cremorne Enterprises, West To West Group), housing organisations (Nightingale Housing, Aboriginal Housing Victoria, Housing Choices Australia, SA Housing Authority), social housing and government clients, and enterprise brands (ANZ Bank's nationwide "ANZ Breathe" branch programme, Slack's Melbourne HQ and San Francisco Executive Business Centre). Repeat developer relationships and a multi-year award portfolio underpin a sales-led, referral-driven go-to-market rather than a high-velocity transactional motion.

The practice maintains active partnerships with co-architects (DKO, Hayball, Clarke Hopkins Clarke, OLA Studio, Archier), landscape firms (Openwork, Oculus, TCL, Landskāp), builders (Hacer, Hindmarsh, Icon Co, H.Troon, Ironside) and material donors, and has expanded its geographic footprint from Victoria into New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia, and New Zealand. Self-described as "Australia's most awarded sustainable architecture and design firm," Breathe holds a thick awards record across VIC Architecture Awards, National Architecture Awards, UDIA, Dezeen, Frame, IDEA, Good Design, Sustainability, ULI and Premier's Design Awards between 2011 and 2025.

Name

Breathe

Legal name

Breathe

Website

https://breathe.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Breathe is a privately held Australian architecture and design practice specialising in carbon-neutral, fossil-fuel-free buildings across residential, multi-residential, commercial, hospitality, and social infrastructure projects for developers, housing organisations, and government clients.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Brunswick

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Architectural Services: Fee-for-service architectural design services for residential, commercial, hospitality, multi-residential, urban design, and social infrastructure projects. Revenue is generated through project-based contracts with developers, property owners, housing organizations, and government entities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Breathe is an Australian architecture and design firm that delivers project-based architectural services across residential houses, multi-residential developments, commercial interiors, hospitality venues, urban design, and social infrastructure. The firm specializes in sustainable, carbon-neutral, and fossil fuel-free design with a strong focus on community-oriented co-housing models. Revenue is generated through fee-for-service contracts with developers, property owners, social housing organizations, corporate clients, and government entities.

Product overview

Breathe is Australia’s most awarded sustainable architecture and design firm offering comprehensive architectural and design services. The firm operates as a multi-disciplinary studio providing residential houses, multi-residential developments, commercial spaces, hospitality venues, urban design, and social infrastructure projects. Their portfolio includes signature programs like the Nightingale model (social, economically, and environmentally sustainable housing) and the Teilhaus small footprint housing concept. Projects span from individual homes to large multi-residential precincts, with a consistent focus on carbon neutrality, fossil fuel-free operations, sustainable materials, and community-centered design. The firm maintains offices in Melbourne and Olinda, Victoria.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Residential Houses Design
• Commercial Architecture & Interior Design
• Hospitality Venue Design
• Multi-Residential Development Design
• Small Footprint Housing (Teilhaus)
• Urban Design
• Social Infrastructure Design
• Strategy & Creative Consulting

Quantifiable outcome

• Nightingale 1 - First residential building in Australia connected under embedded network that is 100% fossil fuel free with residents receiving 100% green power at wholesale rates
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

125 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Fisher & PaykelcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated kitchen and laundry appliances for the Cobargo Santa Project bushfire rebuilding effort.
• TradelinkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated fixtures and fittings for the Cobargo Santa Project bushfire rebuilding effort.
• FielderscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated cladding, roof sheet and roof plumbing materials for the Cobargo Santa Project.
• TaubmanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated paint specification and supply for the Cobargo Santa Project bushfire rebuilding.
• Accent WindowscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated windows for the Cobargo Santa Project bushfire rebuilding effort.
• Universal FanscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated ceiling fans for the Cobargo Santa Project.
• Form BrickcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated brick tiles for the Cobargo Santa Project bushfire rebuilding effort.
• Automatic HeatingcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated hydronic heat pump for the Cobargo Santa Project.
• BRECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Provided pro-bono solar installation services for the Cobargo Santa Project (panels supplied by Ying Li).
• Studio AllcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 December 2019Donated lighting design and supply services for the Cobargo Santa Project.
• DKO ArchitecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated as lead architect on Arkadia multi-residential project in Alexandria, NSW. DKO Architecture led the project while Breathe contributed sustainable design expertise.
• OculuscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided landscape architecture services for Arkadia multi-residential project, contributing to the project's environmental and social sustainability outcomes.
• Clarke Hopkins ClarkecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead architect and developer collaboration on Lt. Miller & NGBE multi-residential project in Brunswick East. Breathe provided interior design and sustainability consultancy.
• OpenworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture collaborator on Lt. Miller & NGBE project, working on the sustainable outdoor spaces and environmental design elements.
• The Development CollectivecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for Hanover Place share home concept project in Dunedin, New Zealand. Breathe contributed architectural design expertise for this innovative student accommodation model.
• Architecture architecturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Nightingale Urban Coup co-housing project - the first vertical community of its kind in Australia, designed for 60 residents seeking socially integrated housing.
• HayballcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign and delivery collaboration on Nightingale Urban Coup co-housing project, contributing architectural expertise to this deliberative housing community.
• OLA StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture by OLA Studio with interiors by Breathe for The Rochester boutique apartment project in Fitzroy.
• Cremorne EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper client for The Rochester fossil fuel-free boutique apartment project, partnering with Breathe for interior design and ESD services.
• Small Giants DevelopmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for The Commons - a replicable triple bottom line development that became a benchmark for sustainable urbanisation in Australia.
• MABcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner leading the Preston Crossing precinct project where Breathe collaborated with Archier and Hayball on Nightingale Preston.
• ArchiercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm collaborator on Nightingale Preston, part of the broader Preston Crossing precinct led by MAB.
• TCLcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture team for Nightingale Preston, responsible for lush parklets, lanes and streets that stitch the precinct together.
• Milieu PropertycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing collaboration on multiple projects including Breese Street (57 apartments in Brunswick) and Park Street (renovate-to-rent model).
• DKOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaboration with Breathe on Breese Street project for Milieu Property in Brunswick.
• West To West GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper for Price Street project in Subiaco, WA - a collection of 31 apartments, townhomes and penthouses designed to be 100% carbon neutral.
• Nic BrunsdoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on Price Street project, contributing to this considered collection of sustainable apartments.
• ADCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProperty consultancy collaborator on Price Street project in Subiaco.
• MalaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on Price Street project.
• Art TheoryminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on Price Street project.
• KTAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMasterplan collaborator on Neighbourhood project - a collection of 89 homes in four architecturally distinct buildings around a shared courtyard.
• Antipodean Land DevelopmentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Neighbourhood project in Brunswick East.
• Fontic GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevelopment partner for Neighbourhood project.
• Aspekt Construction GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Neighbourhood project in Brunswick East.
• HindmarshcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale Bowden - the first Nightingale project in South Australia, comprising 34 homes and two commercial spaces.
• LandskāpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture for Nightingale Bowden project.
• Meche StudiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInterior design collaborator on Nightingale Bowden.
• Housing Choices AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with South Australian Housing Authority and Renewal SA in developing Nightingale Bowden for a diverse cross-section of Adelaide society.
• South Australian Housing AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner in Nightingale Bowden development aimed at providing diverse housing options.
• Renewal SAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState government development partner for Nightingale Bowden.
• Bowden CorpcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Aboriginal Housing Victoria's first multi-residential venture - Umarkoo Wayi – Ganbu Guljin in Reservoir.
• Human HabitatscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConsultant collaborator on Aboriginal Housing Victoria project, contributing to this social and affordable housing initiative.
• BrickworkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGenerously donated materials for the Aboriginal Housing Victoria project.
• Koorool ConstructionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for 388 Barkly Street - adaptive reuse of a c1930 brick warehouse into 11 sustainable townhomes.
• Robert Boden DesigncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture for 388 Barkly Street townhome development.
• DREAMERcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on 388 Barkly Street sustainable townhome project.
• OUTsideINminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on 388 Barkly Street project.
• MR.P StudiosminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on 388 Barkly Street project.
• Gavin GreenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on 388 Barkly Street project.
• IronsidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Breese Street project with Milieu Property.
• Goodbye GascoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSustainability consultant for Park Street project, helping electrify the building and integrate carbon-neutral features.
• AcrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Park Street renovation project.
• Perimeter LandscapingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture for Park Street project.
• Inner North CarpentrycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Park Street renovate-to-rent project in Brunswick.
• Hacer GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale Urban Coup co-housing project.
• HacercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale Skye House Teilhaus project.
• H.TrooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale Ballarat project.
• Hygge PropertycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAspirational development partner from Ballarat, collaborating on Nightingale Ballarat and The Village Daylesford.
• AkasminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on Nightingale Ballarat project.
• The City of BallaratcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCouncil partner for Nightingale Ballarat project, working on strategic plan to bring residents back to the heart of the city.
• Hygge PropertycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSame dedicated crew that delivered Nightingale Ballarat, now working on eco village of 30 homes in Daylesford.
• Balmain & CocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale Preston Teilhaus small footprint housing project.
• HayballcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on Nightingale Skye House Teilhaus project.
• Andy FergusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on Nightingale Skye House project.
• Fiona TurnbullcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaboration on Nightingale Anstey project - an 8-storey multi-residential building near Anstey Train Station.
• Joost BakkercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on QVM Market Garden project - a temporary trading pavilion with greenhouse at Queen Victoria Markets.
• ScharpminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator on QVM Market Garden project.
• Davis ConstructioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Edgars Creek House project in Coburg, VIC.
• Never Stop GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Edgars Creek House project in Coburg, VIC.
• Icon CocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Arkadia multi-residential project in Alexandria, NSW.
• Visual BuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Forecourt House project in Clifton Hill, VIC.
• Ficus ConstructionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for The National Hotel project in Richmond, VIC.
• Andrew WuttkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on The National Hotel project.
• Project GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale 1 - the inaugural project of the Nightingale model housing.
• Eve WilsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Nightingale 1 project.
• Kubic Constructions and Ficus ConstructionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilders for The Commons project - a replicable triple bottom line development.
• Peter ClarkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on The Commons project.
• Tom RossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on The Commons project.
• Diana SnapeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on The Commons project.
• Rebecca RamageminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on The Commons project.
• Michael DownesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on The Commons project.
• Andrew WuttkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesign collaborator on The Commons project.
• May ConstructionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for QV8 project - adaptation of a disused car parking level into eight bespoke apartments.
• Rush Wright AssociatesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape collaborator on QV8 project.
• Peter ClarkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on QV8 project.
• Liberty BuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Lt. Miller & NGBE project in Brunswick East.
• LucentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for Lt. Miller & NGBE project, expanding sustainable apartments from inner city to Brighton.
• The Local ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia collaborator on Edgars Creek House project.
• HacercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Nightingale Skye House project.
• OpenworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture collaborator on Nightingale Skye House.
• OpenworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture collaborator on Nightingale Skye House Teilhaus.
• The Local ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedia collaborator on Nightingale Skye House Teilhaus project.
• OpenworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture for Nightingale Ballarat project.
• MilieucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for LIV Albert Build-to-Rent neighbourhood project.
• MirvaccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper partner for LIV Albert Build-to-Rent neighbourhood project.
• FieldworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on LIV Albert project.
• OpenworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandscape architecture for LIV Albert project.
• Dylan James LarkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on LIV Albert project.
• Breathe PalettecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaint palette collaboration with Haymes Paint for Two Sisters project - Breathe 19, Breathe 23, Breathe 35.
• Haymes PaintcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPaint partner for Two Sisters project, creating custom Breathe palette colors.
• Switch COcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for OI Office project in Melbourne CBD.
• NationwidecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNationwide deployment partner for ANZ Breathe branch design across multiple locations.
• LendleasecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConstruction partner for ANZ Breathe branch design implementation.
• Kat LuminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on ANZ Breathe project.
• TrooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Hygge Ballarat Office project, housed in Nightingale Ballarat building.
• IntermaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Fresh Hope Office project in Sydney.
• Anson SmartminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Fresh Hope Office project.
• Tom RossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Nightingale Housing Office project.
• Neverstop GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Reload Physio project in Brunswick, VIC.
• SC BuilderscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Slack San Francisco Executive Business Centre project.
• ASD | SKY ArchitectscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture collaborator on Slack San Francisco project.
• Ficus ConstructionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for Breathe Offices project.
• Ilario FerrettominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for 2015 extension of Breathe Offices project.
• Neverstop GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for 2018 extension of Breathe Offices project.
• Peter ClarkeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Breathe Offices project.
• Tom RossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Breathe Offices project.
• Other PlacescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner for Hanover Place project in Dunedin, New Zealand.
• BawuaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisualisations collaborator on Hanover Place project.
• Trio ConstructcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuilder for The Rochester project in Fitzroy, VIC.
• Cremorne EnterprisescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloper client for The Rochester project.
• Derek SwalwellminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on The Rochester project.
• Anthony RichardsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Breese St project.
• Tom RossminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Breese St project.
• Mr PminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotography collaborator on Breese St project.
• Ambience LightingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLighting design collaboration on Zucci Salon project, achieving near-natural light over cutting benches.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Fender Katsalidis: Established, large-scale Australian architecture firm with a much broader portfolio across commercial towers, residential, hospitality, and urban design. A broad incumbent that increasingly competes with Breathe for sustainability-credentialed multi-residential and mixed-use projects, but with materially larger scale and a wider service offering.
• Hassell: Global Australian-headquartered design practice with a large multi-disciplinary portfolio spanning architecture, interior design, and urban design. Operates as a broad incumbent in the same space as Breathe but at significantly greater scale, with established sustainability capability across commercial, residential, and urban projects.

Direct peers

• WOWOWA Architecture: Melbourne-based, award-winning boutique architecture practice with a strong residential, multi-residential and adaptive-reuse portfolio. Comparable in size and design philosophy, and similarly focused on socially conscious, sustainable Australian architecture.
• Kennedy Nolan: Melbourne architecture practice with strong residential and multi-residential portfolio and comparable design-led, sustainability-aware approach. Operates in a similar project-size band and competes for the same developer-led multi-residential briefs.
• Austin Maynard Architects: Melbourne-based, award-winning architecture practice specialising in sustainable residential, multi-residential, and community-oriented projects. Highly comparable to Breathe in size, design philosophy, and focus on social and environmental outcomes.
• ClarkeHopkinsClarke: Large Australian architecture practice with multi-residential, education, commercial and urban design work. Direct collaborator with Breathe on the Lt. Miller & NGBE project, and competes for similar multi-residential and mixed-use briefs across Melbourne and beyond.
• MAKE Architecture: Melbourne architecture practice with a portfolio of sustainable residential, multi-residential, and adaptive-reuse projects. Comparable in scale, design-led positioning, and focus on environmentally conscious Australian architecture.
• DKO Architecture: Australian architecture firm operating across residential, multi-residential, and commercial sectors with a strong sustainability and urban-design focus. Direct collaborator with Breathe on the Arkadia project in Alexandria, NSW, and operates in the same project-size band.
• Archier: Melbourne- and Adelaide-based architecture practice known for sustainable residential and multi-residential design. Direct collaborator with Breathe on Nightingale Preston; comparable scale, design-led approach, and focus on carbon-conscious Australian architecture.
• Hayball: Australian architecture practice with comparable multi-residential and education portfolio. Direct collaborator with Breathe on multiple Nightingale projects (Nightingale Skye House Teilhaus, Urban Coup, Nightingale Preston), making it both a competitor for sustainable multi-residential work and a frequent co-architect.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xyoutube.com/@breathearchitecture
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• Facebookfacebook.com/breathearchitecture
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/breathearchitecture
• Instagraminstagram.com/breathearchitecture

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Breathe