TNA Architecture is a Melbourne-based architecture and interior design practice committed to delivering timeless, sustainable architecture that improves the way people live, work, and connect.
Founded by registered architect Tien Nguyen, the studio brings over 12 years of experience at award-winning firms to a practice that values thoughtful details, sustainability, and long-term collaboration.
At TNA Architecture, we partner with clients who share our vision for creating architecture that is both purposeful and enduring.
Good architecture is more than a beautiful idea. It requires careful consideration of context, planning, functionality, materiality and the way a project will ultimately be built.
At TNA Architecture, we bring together design thinking, technical knowledge and practical experience to create spaces that are considered from the outset and designed to endure.
Design informed by place and planning.
Our experience with planning processes and local council requirements allows us to consider regulatory and contextual matters from the earliest stages of design. This helps create projects that are thoughtful, responsive and carefully resolved.
Design that considers the whole picture.
We believe thoughtful architecture should enhance more than appearance. It should improve the way a space functions, responds to its surroundings and performs over time—while recognising the broader value of the property and investment.
A considered approach to scope and fees.
Our proposals clearly define the scope of services, deliverables and associated fees before a project begins. We believe a clear understanding of expectations creates a stronger foundation for collaboration.
Fixed-fee proposals are provided where appropriate, with any additional services discussed and agreed in writing.
From first idea to finished space.
We provide a coordinated approach across architecture, interior design, planning, documentation and consultant coordination. By considering each stage as part of the whole, we help maintain design intent and clarity as a project progresses.
Where beauty meets purpose.
Every project is shaped by its own circumstances. We balance aesthetics with functionality, buildability, sustainability and long-term performance to create architecture that is as practical as it is considered.
Experience that informs better decisions.
Good design requires open conversations. We provide clear, considered advice throughout the process, including when an alternative approach may better respond to the site, budget, planning framework or long-term ambitions of the project.
From residential renovations and new homes to commercial interiors and larger-scale projects, TNA Architecture brings a considered approach to every stage of the journey.
Plenty, VIC
Bundoora, VIC
Reservoir, VIC
Chadstone, VIC
Brighton, VIC
North Melbourne, VIC
Everything you need to know about working with an architect, fees, town planning, and council approval processes in Melbourne.
Architectural fees in Melbourne vary depending on project type, complexity, and scope of services. Residential and small commercial projects are commonly priced as a lump sum or staged fee, rather than a percentage of construction cost.
At TNA Architecture, we provide clear, upfront pricing aligned with the level of service required — from feasibility and DA approvals to construction documentation and contract administration. This ensures clients understand costs early and can make informed decisions without unexpected surprises.
While not always mandatory, engaging an architect for a Development Application (DA) in Melbourne significantly improves approval outcomes. An architect experienced in local planning controls can design a proposal that responds to zoning, overlays, neighbourhood character, and council policy.
We work closely with town planners and consultants to prepare planning-responsive designs that reduce objections, streamline council feedback, and support smoother DA approvals.
Council approval in Melbourne varies depending on zoning, planning overlays, site conditions, council policy, and the nature of the proposed development. Each application is assessed on its individual merits, and approval pathways can differ between councils and project types.
A planning-focused architectural approach helps clarify requirements early, prepare responsive designs, and address council policies before submission. This reduces uncertainty and supports a more efficient approval process, even where planning controls are complex or restrictive.
An architectural feasibility study assesses what is realistically achievable on a site before significant design or consultant costs are incurred. This typically includes a review of zoning, overlays, planning controls, site constraints, and development yield potential.
As a Melbourne architect, we translate these findings into clear concept options that consider planning compliance, buildability, and project objectives — helping clients decide whether to proceed with confidence.
Yes. We provide end-to-end architectural services, from early concept design and feasibility through to town planning approvals, construction documentation, and on-site construction administration.
This integrated approach ensures design intent, planning strategy, and technical documentation remain aligned throughout the project — reducing miscommunication, redesign, and approval risk.
The best time to engage an architect is before purchasing a site or committing to a development strategy. Early architectural advice can identify planning constraints, approval risks, and design opportunities that may significantly impact feasibility and project value.
Many of our clients engage us at the earliest stage to assess development potential and guide informed decision-making before moving forward.