A home that’s exceptional to live in — and a lasting asset

HAO Design is a boutique architectural studio in Forestville, on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, designing bespoke and luxury homes across the Northern Beaches and Greater Sydney. We create homes that are beautiful, deeply personal and built to hold their value — pairing the design skill of registered architect Hai Sun Tan (NSW Registration 7532) with the commercial eye of property developer David Lin. From first sketch to finished build, you work with one team that cares as much about how your home lives as how it looks.

What does HAO Design do for luxury and custom homes?

We design one-of-a-kind homes shaped entirely around you — your site, your lifestyle and how you want to live. That includes new bespoke homes, premium knock-down rebuilds, and major renovations that lift an existing home to a different level. Every project includes 3D design, photorealistic renders, council approvals and full project management.

How is a bespoke home different from a project-home build?

A volume or project home is a fixed design dropped onto your block. A bespoke home is the opposite — it starts with your site and your life, and every decision is made for you. That means better use of light, aspect and views, spaces that suit how your family actually lives, and a finished home that feels considered in every detail rather than chosen from a catalogue.

Can you design a knock-down rebuild on my existing block?

Yes. A knock-down rebuild is often the smartest way to get a brand-new, perfectly tailored home in a location you already love. We assess your site, design a home that makes the most of it, and manage the approvals and the build — so you stay in your suburb but in a home designed entirely around you.

Will a high-end design still make financial sense?

This is where our developer’s eye matters. A beautiful home can still be a poor investment if it’s over-capitalised for its street. We design to the right level for your site and your area — ambitious where it adds real value, disciplined where it doesn’t — so your home is both wonderful to live in and a sound long-term asset that protects your resale position.

Why use an architect who also thinks like a developer?

Because the best homes balance vision with value. Hai Sun Tan brings the design craft of a registered architect; David Lin brings the judgement of an active property developer. Together they make sure your home is genuinely special and a smart use of your money — and they see it through to completion, so the finished home matches the renders.

How does the process work?

One team, from concept to completion: site assessment and brief → concept design and 3D renders → council approval → detailed documentation → project management through construction.

Ready to design the home you’ve been picturing?

Get a free, no-obligation consultation. Tell us about your site and your vision, and we’ll show you what’s possible.

Start Your Home →

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