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The Design Element Group — Melbourne Interior Architecture Studio

Building Better Spaces Through Thoughtful Design

Founded in 2014, TDEG has grown from a small drafting practice into a full-service interior architecture firm serving clients across Melbourne and regional Victoria.

Our Story

What started as a passion project by founder Vidhi Rathod has evolved into a collaborative studio of eight talented designers and architects. From our earliest residential drafting commissions, we built a reputation for listening carefully, designing thoughtfully, and delivering work that genuinely reflected our clients’ lives and ambitions.

We’ve maintained our commitment to personalised service while expanding our capabilities to handle projects of increasing complexity — from council approval packages to fully resolved commercial interiors. Our growth has never come at the cost of the care and attention that defined our beginning.

Today, we work on everything from single-room renovations to multi-storey commercial fitouts, always bringing the same standard of craft and professionalism that our first clients trusted us with over a decade ago.

10+
Years in Business

8
Team Members

500+
Projects Completed

Our Approach

We believe great design emerges from genuine collaboration. Our process begins with listening — understanding not just what you want, but how you live and work in your space. We ask the questions that surface the details that matter: how your family moves through a room, how your team uses a workspace, what truly makes a space feel like yours.

This foundation of understanding informs every decision we make, from initial sketches through final material selections. The result is spaces that feel authentically yours while benefiting from our technical expertise, design experience, and deep knowledge of Melbourne’s planning and building landscape.

Our Mission

To create functional, beautiful spaces that enhance the daily lives of the people who use them, while maintaining the highest standards of technical precision and professional service. We measure success not by awards or accolades, but by how well your finished space serves you — and how often you find yourself appreciating it.

Our Values

Integrity

We act with honesty and transparency in every client interaction, every quote, and every decision.

Excellence

We hold ourselves to the highest standards of design and technical precision on every project, regardless of size.

Commitment

We genuinely invest in understanding and exceeding our clients’ expectations, from first consultation to final handover.

Our Credentials

  • Registered architects and designers with professional indemnity insurance
  • Members of the Design Institute of Australia
  • Certified in sustainable design practices
  • Victorian Building Authority (VBA) registered practitioners
  • Over 10 years serving Melbourne and regional Victoria

Meet the Team

Behind every TDEG project is a team of passionate designers, draftspeople, and project managers who bring skill, care, and genuine enthusiasm to their work.

VR

Vidhi Rathod
Founder & Principal Architect

RP

Raj Patel
Senior Interior Designer

AB

Anika Bergstrom
Project Manager

KA

Kwame Asante
Technical Draftsperson

Work With Us

We’d love to hear about your project. Whether you’re planning a renovation, a new build, or a commercial fitout — our team of eight is ready to bring your vision to life with the precision and care that has defined TDEG since 2014.

Book a Free Consultation   View Our Services

Coastal Kitchen Renovation — Brighton, VIC

Residential | Residential Drafting + Space Planning

A full kitchen renovation for a family home in Brighton, designed to bring light, flow, and a sense of coastal calm into the heart of the house. The brief was to open up a dated, closed-off kitchen and create a bright, Hamptons-inspired entertaining space that connected naturally with the rest of the living areas. TDEG handled everything from the initial space planning through to council-ready drawings and contractor documentation. The result is a light-filled, marble-benched kitchen that now flows seamlessly into the dining and outdoor areas.

What We Delivered

  • Space planning and layout redesign
  • Hamptons-style interior concept
  • Residential drafting and technical drawings
  • Council documentation and permit support
  • Joinery design for custom cabinetry

“The team completely transformed how we use our home. The new kitchen feels like it was always meant to be this way — open, bright, and perfect for entertaining.”

— Sarah M., Brighton VIC

Interested in a kitchen renovation? Get in touch with our team to talk through your ideas.

Open-Plan Living Redesign — South Yarra, VIC

Residential | Space Planning + 3D Renders + Residential Drafting

A ground-floor transformation for a Victorian terrace in South Yarra, converting three separate rooms into a single, flowing open-plan living, dining and kitchen zone. The client wanted a modern, minimalist aesthetic that respected the heritage character of the home — a delicate balance between old and new. TDEG produced detailed 3D renders to help the client visualise the transformation before any walls came down, a critical step in securing confident decision-making and builder alignment. The final design honours the home’s original features while delivering a thoroughly contemporary living experience.

What We Delivered

  • Structural layout assessment and space planning
  • Photorealistic 3D renders (interior)
  • Full residential drafting package
  • Heritage-sensitive design approach
  • Contractor-ready construction drawings

“Seeing the 3D renders before we started was a game changer. We knew exactly what we were getting — and the finished space exceeded every expectation.”

— James & Priya T., South Yarra VIC

Planning an open-plan renovation? Talk to us about your project and we’ll help you visualise what’s possible.

Commercial Fitout — Dental Clinic, Berwick VIC

Commercial | Commercial Interiors + Shop Fitout + Council Approvals

A full interior design and fitout documentation project for a new dental clinic in Berwick. The client needed a space that was clinically functional, welcoming to patients, and built to strict healthcare compliance standards — three demands that don’t always sit comfortably together. TDEG designed a calming, modern environment with a considered patient flow, bespoke reception joinery, and treatment room layouts that maximised both efficiency and comfort. We also managed all council approval documentation to ensure a smooth permit process from concept to completion.

What We Delivered

  • Commercial interior design concept
  • Patient flow and space planning
  • Joinery design (reception and treatment rooms)
  • Material and finish schedule
  • Full fitout documentation for builder
  • Council approval and building permit management

“TDEG understood the unique demands of a healthcare environment from day one. The clinic is professional, welcoming, and functions exactly as we need it to.”

— Dr. Eliza K., Berwick VIC

Have a commercial fitout project? Reach out to discuss your space — we work across clinics, retail, hospitality and professional offices.

How We Work With You

Across every project — whether it’s a single-room kitchen renovation or a full commercial fitout — our process follows the same principles: listen carefully, design thoughtfully, document precisely, and stay involved through to completion. We believe great design isn’t just about how a space looks; it’s about how it functions for the people who use it every day.

Our work spans residential drafting, interior architecture, 3D renders, council documentation, and commercial fitouts across Melbourne and regional Victoria. We collaborate closely with builders, joiners, and trades to ensure that what’s drawn on paper translates beautifully into the finished space. And because we manage council approvals in-house, our clients enjoy a smoother, more predictable path from concept to completed build.

If you’ve been browsing for inspiration, the projects above are just a starting point. Every brief we receive is different, and every solution is tailored. What stays consistent is our commitment to clarity, craftsmanship, and care.

Start Your Project With Us

Whether you’re renovating a family home, designing a new build, or transforming a commercial space — we’d love to hear about your project. Get in touch for a free 30-minute consultation.

Book a Free Consultation
Call: 0468 444 483