Our vision is simple: to redefine sustainable property development and lead the market to set new benchmarks in eco-living.
We believe eco-friendly design isn’t a nice-to-have – it’s fundamental to our survival. We also know it doesn’t have to cost more, and offers a far better quality of life.
There’s nothing superficial about our eco-designs. We’ve delivered the first Passivhaus certified apartments in the southern hemisphere, as well as Australia’s first green-roofed terrace houses.
We offer true sustainability in every design and construction choice through research, innovation, and building on the best of new technology.
As architects, builders and developers, we have total control over the quality of our properties, allowing us to explore and execute our vision without compromise.
Once homeowners see just how good housing can be, they’ll demand more from developers. Once developers see the demand, they’ll deliver it. Through innate market forces, a higher level of sustainable design will become the norm. Steele Associates is at the forefront of this drive towards a sustainable future.
My mission is to show the world that sustainable development works for people, industry, and the planet. To prove that people want healthy, comfortable homes that cost less to live in; and that it makes dollars and sense for developers to provide them – now and into the future.
Oliver Steele
We have a stellar twenty-five year track record of sustainable luxury design & construction, and have been recognised with numerous awards.
2021
NSW Architecture Awards 2021
Commended, Sustainable Architecture
2020
NATIONAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARDS
Winner, Best Residential Energy Efficiency Project
MBA NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY EFFICIENCY AWARDS
Winner, Residential category
INTERNATIONAL DESIGN AWARDS
Bronze Winner, Architecture Categories / Sustainable Living/Green
MBA NSW EXCELLENCE IN HOUSING AWARDS
Winner, Environmental Management-Medium Density
Winner, Energy Efficiency-Medium Density
GOOD DESIGN AWARDS
Winner, Architectural Residential and Commercial
INDE AWARDS
Finalist, The Multi-Residential Building
2019
HIA Australian Greensmart Awards
Winner, Greensmart Professional – Oliver Steele
Winner, Multi Dwelling Development – The Fern by Steele Associates
HIA-CSR NSW Housing and Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Winner, Small Kitchen up to 10 sqm – The Fern
Finalist, Greensmart Sustainable Home
Finalist, Apartment Complex
Finalist, Apartment of the Year
Finalist, Small Bathroom up to 9 sqm
The Urban Developer Industry Excellence Awards
Finalist, Excellence in Sustainability – The Fern by Steele Associates
Finalist, Development of the Year – Hotels and Accommodation – The Fern
Architecture and Design Sustainability Awards 2019
Winner, Emerging Architect/Designer of the Year – Oliver Steele
Finalist, Future Sustainability Leader – Oliver Steele
Finalist, Multiple Dwelling – The Fern, Australia’s First Passivhaus Apartments
Build Construction and Engineering Awards
Best Sustainable Property Development Company – Australia
2017
Australian Institute of Architects National Awards
Winner, Sustainable Architecture Award
Australian Institute of Architects Awards NSW
Winner, The Milo Dunphy Award for Sustainable Architecture
Winner, Architecture Award Multiple Housing
HIA Australian Greensmart Awards
Finalist, Energy Efficiency
HIA Australian Housing Awards
Finalist, Australian Townhouse/ Villa Development
INDE Awards
Shortlister, The Influencer
2016
Architecture and Design Sustainability Awards
Winner, Multi-Density Residential
Winner, Best of the Best
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Winner, Townhouse/Villa Development
Winner, Greensmart Energy Efficiency
Finalist, Custom Built Home $600,001-$1 Million
Finalist, Townhouse/Villa of the Year
Finalist, Small Bathroom up to 8sqm
HIA NSW Greensmart Awards
Winner, Townhouse/Villa Development
Master Builders Association of Australia Awards
Winner, National Environment and Energy Efficiency Residential Building
MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Awards
Winner, Environmental Management Housing
Joint Winner, Design and Construct for House $500,001 to $1 million
Good Design Awards
Shortlist, Architecture
HOUZZ
Winner, Best of Houzz
2015
MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Awards
Winner, Environmental Management Housing
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Finalist, Custom Built Home $1 Million – $2.5 Million
Finalist, Medium Bathroom 8sqm – 16sqm
HIA Australian Housing Awards
Finalist, Australian Custom Built Home
HIA Greensmart Awards
Finalist, Custom Built Home
2014
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Winner, Home of the Year
Winner, Overall Custom Built Home of the Year
Winner, Custom Built Home
Winner, Custom Built Home Over $2 Million
Winner, Renovation / Addition Project Over $1 Million
Winner, Renovation / Addition Project Up to $200K
Finalist, Custom Built Home $600K – $1 Million
Finalist, Custom Built Home $1 Million – $2 Million
Finalist, Renovation / Addition Project $600,001 – $1M
Finalist, Small Kitchen up to 15sqm
HIA Australian Housing Awards
Finalist, Australian Bathroom
MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Awards
Winner, Excellence in Housing
Contract Houses $2 Million-$3 Million
Australian Interior Design Awards
Winner, Arent and Pyke
2013
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Winner, Renovations $600k – $1 Million
Winner, Large Bathroom over 8sqm
Winner, Bathroom of the Year
Finalist, Renovations / Additions $600,001 – $1 Million
Finalist, Small Kitchen up to 15sqm
HIA Australian Housing Awards
Finalist, Australian Solutions in Steel
2012
MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Awards
Joint Winner, Contract Houses $1 Million – $1.5 Million
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Winner, Small Bathroom Under 8 sqm
Finalist, Bathroom of the Year
Finalist, Renovations/ Additions Project
Finalist, Bathroom Design of the Year
2011
MBA NSW Excellence in Housing Awards
Winner, Contract Houses $2.5 Million – $3 Million
MBA NSW Apprentice of the Year Award
Winner, Doug Carey for Carpentry and Joinery
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Winner, Most Innovative Use of Materials
Highly Commended, Custom Built House over $2 Million
Building Design Awards NSW
Winner, Peter Downes Designs for Best New Dwelling
Timber Design Awards
Winner, Bureau SRH for Interior Fitouts Residential
2010
TECU Architecture Awards
Winner, Bureau SRH for Single Family House
HIA NSW Housing, Kitchen & Bathroom Awards
Finalist, Renovation / Addition Project under $800K
Finalist, Greensmart Energy Efficiency