Inbetween Architecture
Inbetween Architecture is a Melbourne-based residential architecture firm, founded in 2012 by John Liu, that provides end-to-end design and contract administration services for renovations, extensions, and new home builds for mid-market homeowners across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2012
- HeadquartersMont Albert North, Australia
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Inbetween Architecture does
Inbetween Architecture is a Melbourne-based residential architecture practice founded in 2012 by John Liu, operating as a small private firm with a core team of three architects (John Liu, Steph Richardson since 2015, Ken Wu since 2021) augmented by specialist consultants as required. The firm provides end-to-end residential architectural services — Concept Design, Schematic Design, Town Planning, Design Development, Documentation, Contractor Selection, and Contract Administration — for renovations, extensions, and new home builds targeting mid-market homeowners primarily in Melbourne's eastern suburbs (Doncaster, Kew, Ivanhoe, Canterbury, Box Hill North, Wheelers Hill, Preston, Reservoir, Donvale). Its stated point of differentiation is a design philosophy focused on 'spaces inbetween' — transitional spaces, heritage integration, and difficult-site resolution, rather than visual or trend-led design.
The practice operates on a project-based professional services model with no disclosed revenue, no outside funding, and no institutional ownership. Engagement begins with a consultative discovery phase (Client Brief Questionnaire + Concept Design Service) and converts into fixed-fee full-service engagements after that phase, with construction budgets at the client level ranging from under $500k to over $2M. The studio is headquartered at 16a Arcade Rd, Mont Albert North, Victoria. Founder John Liu also serves as Chair of the ArchiTEAM Board, supporting professional visibility.
Distribution is direct-to-consumer with no intermediaries. Marketing is earned-media-led: the firm has accumulated credentials across Australian architecture media (The Age Domain, Home Beautiful, Habitus Living, Architecture AU, Herald Sun, The Design Files, Broadsheet) and international platforms (Dezeen, Metropolis), plus recognition in Polytec Design Awards (2017), ArchiTEAM Awards (2021 winner, 2023 and 2024 finalist), Houses Awards (2022), Dezeen Awards (2022 longlist), and the Boroondara Urban Design Awards (2025). The firm has no disclosed patents, no formal partnerships, no subsidiaries, and operates only in the Australian market.
Inbetween Architecture firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Inbetween Architecture
- Legal name
- Inbetween Architecture
- Website
- https://inbetweenarchitecture.com.au
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2012
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Inbetween Architecture is a Melbourne-based residential architecture firm, founded in 2012 by John Liu, that provides end-to-end design and contract administration services for renovations, extensions, and new home builds for mid-market homeowners across Melbourne's eastern suburbs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Inbetween Architecture industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Residential Architecture Services
- NAICS
- Architectural Services (54131), Architectural Services (541310)
- SIC
- Services-To Dwellings & Other Buildings (7340)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations (HSAPAEAB), Whole-Home Interior Renovation (Non-Structural) (HSAPAEAC)
Keywords
Where Inbetween Architecture is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mont Albert North
- HQ country
- Australia
- HQ region
- Oceania
Offices1 record
Markets served
Inbetween Architecture business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Architectural Design Services: Full-service architectural offerings including Concept Design, Schematic Design, Town Planning, Design Development, Documentation, Contractor Selection, and Contract Administration. Services are tailored to each project with fixed-fee proposals after initial Concept Design phase. Revenue is project-based and one-time per engagement.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Budget under $500k |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Budget $500k - $1M |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Budget $1-2M |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Budget more than $2M |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels10 records
Inbetween Architecture product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Inbetween Architecture provides residential architectural design services to homeowners in Melbourne, covering home renovations, extensions, new builds, dual occupancy, and multi-generational living projects. The practice guides clients through a structured seven-stage engagement: Concept Design Service, Schematic Design, Town Planning, Design Development, Documentation, Contractor Selection, and Contract Administration, delivered as a fixed-fee project-based service after an initial consultative brief.
Product overview
Inbetween Architecture is a residential architecture firm offering a comprehensive service from concept design through to contract administration. Their core offering includes architectural design and project management for residential projects encompassing renovations, extensions, and new builds. The service portfolio spans seven stages: Concept Design Service, Schematic Design, Town Planning, Design Development, Documentation, Contractor Selection, and Contract Administration. Their project portfolio showcases 14 distinct residential projects including Engawa House (100-year-old cottage renovation), Ruffey Lake House (1970s renovation), Upside Down House (inverted floor plan design), Escher House (split-level Canterbury project), Hill House (cultural integration for first-generation migrants), Silhouette House (factory-inspired Preston extension), Inbetween House (Doncaster setback innovation), Shadow Play (curvilinear pergola), Together Apart House (dual occupancy), Pigeon Pair (multi-generational living), Curious Grace (exhibition design), Urban Barnyard (flexible family home), and Belle (1970s brick veneer update).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Concept Design Service Standalone initial design service providing a workable design concept and high-level cost estimate. Includes site visit, client discovery questionnaire, and presentation of design directions. Functions as the entry point and is sold separately before clients convert to the full architectural engagement.
- Full Architectural Design Services
Quantifiable outcome
- Architizer A+ Awards recognition
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Inbetween Architecture
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Inbetween Architecture technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Inbetween Architecture partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Inbetween Architecture competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Austin Maynard Architects: Melbourne boutique practice specialising in playful, sustainability-driven residential projects including heritage-sensitive renovations and extensions. Similar scale, client base in inner-Melbourne suburbs, and strong awards/media profile.
- Wolveridge Architects: Melbourne design-led practice with a comparable mix of residential renovations, extensions, and bespoke new builds. Similar boutique scale, founder-led creative model, and recognition within the Australian residential architecture community.
- Kennedy Nolan: Melbourne-based residential architecture practice with a comparable focus on thoughtful, design-led renovations and extensions in Melbourne's inner and eastern suburbs. Similar boutique team size, mid-market client base, and award-recognised bespoke approach.
- Clare Cousins Architects: Melbourne residential architecture studio with comparable mid-market renovation and extension focus, heritage-aware design sensibility, and project portfolio published in the same Australian and international design media outlets.
- Architect Prineas: Sydney-based residential architecture practice with comparable boutique positioning, focus on heritage-sensitive renovations and contextual additions, and similar award/press profile in Australian design publications.
- Rob Mills Architects: Melbourne-based practice with significant residential portfolio including renovations and new homes, similar recognition within Australian design media, and a comparable founder-led creative approach — though operating at a larger project scale.
- Studio Four: Melbourne residential architecture practice with comparable boutique scale and renovation/extension focus, serving a similar mid-market homeowner client base in Melbourne's established suburbs.
- Designed by Golden: Melbourne boutique practice focused on residential renovations and extensions with a strong design-narrative approach and similar emphasis on older homes and contextual additions in Melbourne's established suburbs.
Others
- ArchiTeam Co-operative: Industry association for small Australian architecture practices, of which Inbetween Architecture's founder John Liu is Chair. Not a competitor but a relevant ecosystem peer that connects and advocates for firms of similar size and structure.
Emerging players
- Ecologic Architecture: Melbourne residential practice with comparable sustainability focus and renovation/extension work. Slightly different stylistic positioning but overlapping mid-market homeowner client base and Melbourne eastern suburbs geography.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Inbetween Architecture social profiles
Digital presenceInbetween Architecture financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Inbetween Architecture leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Inbetween Architecture funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Inbetween Architecture M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Inbetween Architecture
What does Inbetween Architecture do?
Inbetween Architecture provides residential architectural design services to homeowners in Melbourne, covering home renovations, extensions, new builds, dual occupancy, and multi-generational living projects. The practice guides clients through a structured seven-stage engagement: Concept Design Service, Schematic Design, Town Planning, Design Development, Documentation, Contractor Selection, and Contract Administration, delivered as a fixed-fee project-based service after an initial consultative brief.
Is Inbetween Architecture a public or private company?
Inbetween Architecture is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Inbetween Architecture founded?
Inbetween Architecture was founded in 2012. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Inbetween Architecture based?
Inbetween Architecture is headquartered in Mont Albert North, Australia, in the Oceania region.
How does Inbetween Architecture make money?
One revenue line is on record: architectural Design Services.
Who are Inbetween Architecture's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Austin Maynard Architects, Wolveridge Architects, Kennedy Nolan, Clare Cousins Architects, Architect Prineas, Rob Mills Architects, Studio Four and Designed by Golden. ArchiTeam Co-operative is listed as an others. Ecologic Architecture is listed as an emerging player.
Does Inbetween Architecture have an API?
No public API is recorded for Inbetween Architecture.
What industry is Inbetween Architecture in?
Inbetween Architecture's product category is Residential Architecture Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAHAKAA, Architectural Design Services, with a secondary code of HSAPAEAB, Architectural Reconfiguration & Structural Alterations. Its NAICS code is 54131 and its SIC code is 7340.