Cheah Saw Architecture is an architectural studio based in Melbourne led by Eugene Cheah and Joanne Saw.
We are a Melbourne-based architectural practice founded on the belief that architecture should enrich daily life, while respecting and adding to the cultural, environmental and urban context in which we work.
We pride ourselves on being a client-focussed studio offering individual and customised services. Our practice engages in a range of project types and scales – from houses to consulates to commercial towers.
We are architects with a passion for crafting evocative and intelligent designs that nurture engaging and memorable experiences.
We collaborate with individuals and organisations to create novel opportunities in each project, to add value, and create meaningful innovation.
Our work has won architectural awards and competitions both locally and abroad, and our projects have been published internationally.
Our Approach
We see design in general and architecture in particular, as a craft – a hands-on act of making, applying skill and experience.
We bring this approach to every project we undertake. You will work closely with the directors of the practice from inception through to completion. Your team will be selectively chosen, and consist of skilled and experienced architects, committed to meeting and exceeding your expectations.
Our work is guided by careful listening and deep research.
We embrace design challenges – from complex briefs to constrained sites—as opportunities for innovation, developing architectural responses that are at once pragmatic and poetic.
Our Values
We believe in the value of design and the role it plays in the success of a project.
We believe that all clients and all projects deserve the best possible design solution, regardless of budget.
We embrace the social, economic and physical context that our work sits within.
We approach each project, regardless of scale, as a privileged opportunity to make a positive change.
We promote a diversity of ideas.
We take an integrated approach to design. The intersection of disciplines enables a cohesive and unified outcome beyond what would normally be achievable.
We rigorously explore the making of architecture, through materiality and details, to achieve functional, performance, financial and sustainable outcomes.
We consider the entire life cycle of a building, and design for flexibility and longevity.
Recent Recognition
2025 Australian Timber Design Awards, Fitout - Commercial and Public, Finalist - CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA MELBOURNE
2025 Houses Awards, New House over 200 sqm, Shortlisted - HAWTHORN HOUSE
2025 Australian Interior Design Awards, Public Design, Shortlisted - CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA MELBOURNE
2024 WIN Awards, Civic, Silver Award - CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA MELBOURNE
2024 Interior Design Excellence Awards, Institutional, Shortlisted - CONSULATE GENERAL OF MALAYSIA MELBOURNE
2023 Houses Awards, House in a Heritage Context, Shortlisted - FARMER STREET RESIDENCES
2021 Polytec Design Awards, Commercial, Winner - ZOWIE EVANS
2019 Australian Interior Design Awards, Retail Design, Shortlisted - ZOWIE EVANS
2019 Dezeen Awards, Leisure and wellness interior, Longlisted - ZOWIE EVANS
2019 Hair Expo Awards, Best Salon Design, Finalist - ZOWIE EVANS
2019 Interior Design Excellence Awards, Retail, Shortlisted - ZOWIE EVANS
2019 WIN Awards, Retail Design, Shortlisted - ZOWIE EVANS
2019 German Design Awards, Architecture, Special Mention - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 WIN Awards, Residential Interiors, Finalist - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 WAN Awards, Wood in Architecture, Finalist - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 Victorian Architecture Awards, Interior Architecture, Commendation - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 Smeg Tour Competition, Winner - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 Iconic Awards, Detached House, Innovative Architecture, Selection - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 Dezeen Awards, House Interior, Longlisted - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2018 Dezeen Awards, Small Interior, Longlisted - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2017 Australia Interior Design Awards, Best of State Residential Victoria - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2017 Sustainability Awards, Interior Architecture, Winner - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2017 Australian Timber Design Awards, Small Budget Projects, Winner - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2017 Premier's Design Awards, Architectural Design, Finalist - HENRY STREET HOUSE
2017 Timber Vision Awards, Residential Interior, Shortlisted - HENRY STREET HOUSE