Southern Highlands Architect
Studio Harrington is an emerging architectural design practice based in the Southern Highlands.
We specialise in crafting tailored homes that blend refined aesthetics with practical functionality. We are passionate about bespoke, simple and timeless designs that enrich everyday life.
WHO ARE WE
Studio Harrington is a residential architecture practice known for creating warm, layered homes that are as robust as they are refined.
Founded by architect Alexandra Harrington, we design spaces that feel good to live in - light filled, honest, and thoughtfully detailed. Based in the Southern Highlands, we work with clients across Australia who value quality, longevity, and a tailored approach.
We design homes that reflect the people who live in them and only get better with time.
WHAT WE’RE FOR
Homes with soul, sunlight, and lived-in layers.
Honest materials that patina, age, and tell stories - like your favourite leather boots.
A kitchen island that could host a dinner party, science experiment, or heated family debate.
Clients that are collaborative, decisive, and trust us to do what we do best.
WHAT WE’RE AGAINST
Black tapware.
Hamptons-by-numbers.
Minimalism so stark you forget you live there.
Houses that don’t age well or with you.
ALEXANDRA HARRINGTON
Director | Architect | Mother of Four | Recovering Accountant
Alexandra is the founder and director of Studio Harrington, she believes in designing homes that feel good to live in - where the light falls just right, the materials wear well, and the storage actually works.
Before starting her own practice, Alex worked at BVN and Matthew Woodward Architects, where she developed a love for detail, site-responsive design, and beautifully resolved plans. (Once, Glenn Murcutt even complimented her spatial planning - she hasn’t stopped smiling since.)
She originally trained (and briefly worked) as an accountant, which means she’s as comfortable with spreadsheets as she is with site plans - a surprisingly useful combination when balancing budgets and big ideas.
She lives in the Southern Highlands with her husband Toby, three fiercely independent daughters, one gentle-hearted son and a rotating cast of animals. Her home is both a testing ground and love letter to the kind of architecture she believes in: thoughtful, honest, and made for real life.
FUN FACTS
Alex makes a wicked brownie and has won Best Slice at the Robertson Show two years running.
Her Irish grandfather, a shipwright by trade, helped build the opera house.
SERVICES
We offer full architectural services - from initial concept to final site visit - tailored for clients who value thoughtful design and a collaborative process.
You’ll experience first hand our sharply focused attention to detail and our commitment to making the process as enjoyable as the outcome.
Briefing • Site Analysis • Concept Design • Design Development • Construction Documentation • Contract Administration
TESTIMONIALS
‘Alex’s ability to see through multiple, somewhat crazy and specific requests as part of a brief and respond so thoughtfully, nailing the overall wants and needs of myself, my husband, our kids - and even achieve more than we could have expected, is astounding. Her understanding of the family dynamic and how we function, combined with a breathtaking design aesthetic (and with her practical, budget conscious solutions) have made her such an integral part of this otherwise difficult process. She truly listens to the need and just makes everything better than it could have been. Additionally, her experience with the DA process and building industries has been invaluable.. she is so responsive and proactive in what otherwise is a very overwhelming process where many other moving parts require constant chasing down.
I can’t recommend her enough; we feel so lucky to have found her!!’
Catherine
‘This was the first time I had ever worked with an architect and Alex was so great at explaining things, really listening to our wants and needs, and offering intelligent and thoughtful suggestions and ideas when needed. We are doing a big renovation to an old house and Alex understood the importance of respecting the history of the building whilst updating it to be as comfortable as possible for the present day. Given her first hand experience of designing a house that caters for the needs of a young family, it was clear that Alex applied what she knows works best whilst also listening to what we wanted. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to others and I hope to work with her again in the future.’
Katrina
‘Alex did the design for our development application and construction certificate. She worked tirelessly with the Council and Department of Planning to ensure that it was fully approved, meeting both our design requirements and the approving authorities’ regulations. Alex was always extremely helpful with any enquiries and assisted us to navigate the design and processes seamlessly. We would have no hesitation in recommending Alex for any architectural and design work.’
Susan & Derek