How I Found My Path in Sustainability — and Why It Matters More Than Ever

A beginning I didn’t plan for

Ten years ago, I was working in admin at a certification company in Maitland. I wasn’t aiming to start a business or step into sustainability — I was just doing the next right thing.

Then I got a call from Buildcert. It was the second time I’d been headhunted, and something about it felt different. I joined the team in 2015, and not long after, life threw me some personal challenges — including the loss of my mum. Through that time, I was given the chance to study sustainability, and it completely changed how I saw the industry.

It wasn’t just about learning new skills. It was about rebuilding — and being given the belief that I could make a difference.

How sustainability found me

While working in certification, I noticed one thing that kept appearing across almost every project: BASIX. It was always there — but not always well understood.

I saw how much confusion there was around energy efficiency, compliance, and the growing role of NatHERS and Whole of Home assessments. Over time, I started helping clients make sense of these requirements — breaking them down into clear, actionable steps that supported both compliance and design intent.

That’s when I realised: sustainability didn’t have to be complicated. It just needed someone to translate the technical into the practical.

The leap to Studio Terra

Fast forward a decade, and I decided to take the leap. Starting Studio Terra was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done. My family and I had real conversations about money, survival, and sacrifice. But the idea wouldn’t let go — because I could see a genuine need for clarity and care in this space.

Studio Terra was born out of that purpose. Our mission is simple: to help people build smarter and build sustainably from the very beginning.

What we do today

At Studio Terra, we work with architects, builders, and homeowners to make compliance simple, practical, and stress-free.

From BASIX certificates and NatHERS star ratings to Whole of Home and Section J reports, we guide projects from early design through to completion — ensuring compliance is not an afterthought, but an integral part of the design process.

By getting involved early, we help reduce rework, keep approvals moving smoothly, and achieve better performance outcomes for comfort, cost, and carbon.

Why it matters now

With the rise of the 7-Star NatHERS standard and stronger sustainability targets across Australia, clarity has never been more important. There’s a lot of information out there — but not always enough practical guidance.

That’s where Studio Terra steps in: translating the standards into strategies that make sense for your project, your budget, and your design goals.

Because at the end of the day, sustainability isn’t about ticking boxes. It’s about creating spaces that work — for people and for the planet.

Let’s start the conversation

If you’re an architect, builder, or homeowner, I’d love to know:What part of sustainability or compliance feels unclear or tricky in your projects right now?

Drop a comment, reach out to our team, or visit Studio Terra’s Services page — we’re here to make compliance simpler, smarter, and grounded in what matters most.