Modern house with solar panels on the roof, large glass sliding doors, outdoor seating area, and lush landscaping.

Energy Efficient Architectural Drafting & BASIX/NatHERS Assessments

Supporting homeowners, builders, designers and developers across the Northern Rivers, Newcastle/Hunter and Central Coast NSW with compliant, pragmatic and
well-considered residential design solutions.

about

Practical Design.
Energy Efficiency.
Compliance from the Start.

LAZARUS provides comprehensive architectural drafting and energy assessment services, specialising in energy-efficient residential dwellings that meet NSW compliance requirements without compromising design quality. With over 10 years of local industry experience, we streamline the design and approval process to ensure every project is practical, compliant, and thermally efficient from the outset.

We focus on energy-efficient residential design, BASIX and NatHERS assessments, and compliant drafting across the Northern Rivers Newcastle/Hunter and Central Coast NSW, including bushfire-prone and environmentally sensitive sites.

services

Architectural plans and blueprints on a desk with a laptop displaying a 3D house model, a tablet with images, pens, glasses, a calculator, and a cup of coffee.

Custom drafting services for new homes, renovations, secondary dwellings, and conversions. We work closely with homeowners, builders, designers and developers to produce accurate, build-ready documentation aligned with both design intent and regulatory requirements.

  • New Builds

  • Renovations & Extensions

  • Secondary Dwellings / Granny Flats

  • Dual Occupancy

  • Shed Conversions

  • Retrospective Approvals

  • House lifts and relocations

  • Pools

Diagram of a house with solar panels on the roof and arrows indicating heat and air flow for energy efficiency and ventilation.

All new NSW dwellings must meet BASIX and/or NatHERS requirements.
Engaging a thermal specialist early helps prevent delays, redesign costs, and failed compliance assessments later in the project.

  • BASIX for new dwellings

  • BASIX for renovations over $50K

  • NatHERS modelling

  • Compliance consultation

  • Thermal optimisation (budget + performance)

Why engage a
BASIX or NatHERS
assessor early?

Thermal assessments are often left until the final design stage, which can lead to costly redesigns, delays, and compliance challenges.

By integrating energy modelling during the early design phase, we optimise orientation, glazing, insulation, and materials before documentation is finalised — saving time, money, and stress.

Case Study: Early vs Late Energy Assessment

Early Engagement

A residential project engaged a NatHERS assessor during concept design.
Through early modelling and iterative adjustments to glazing, insulation, and orientation, the home achieved a 7.5-star rating and met BASIX targets without costly redesigns.

Outcome: Faster DA approval and approximately $15,000 saved in retrofit costs.

Late Engagement

In a comparable project, the assessor was engaged after design documentation.The initial rating failed to meet thermal requirements, requiring insulation upgrades, glazing changes, and redesign work during construction.

Outcome: Additional costs of approximately $25,000 and delays of up to 3 months.

testimonials

Vincent assisted us  with a basix and nathers certificate for an existing design in lennox head.

He was very thorough and gave us several options on how to achieve a 7 star rating. I would highly recommend his services. - Ian Gluyas, Lennox Head

Vince could not have been more helpful to us, we didn't know much about requirements, how to approach council etc.. He helped the process run very smoothly and without stress. When we thought things were going in the wrong direction, he encouraged alternate routes and all worked out so well.

Highly recommend Vince to help you through what can be a very tedious process. - Nick & Fiona Murphy, New Lambton

Hi my name is Peggy Johnson, I engaged Vincent from Lazarus Drafting to help out with my Development Application to my local council.

I found Vincent to be very professional, courteous & always punctual.

I would thoroughly recommend Vincent to anybody who would like to use his services and wish him all the best for the future. - Peggy Johnson, Coorabell Pty Ltd 

Vin was efficient, knowledgeable and patient in helping me attain a development approval.

He responded quickly when required and I’d recommend his professional services” - Ewan, Tintenbar

Planning a new build, renovation or secondary dwelling?

Book a free 20-minute consultation to discuss your project requirements, compliance needs, and the most efficient path to BASIX and NatHERS approval.