BayleyWard is a progressive architecture and design practice that creates places for people to live, work and play. The practice was established in South Melbourne, Victoria in 2013 by Nick Bayley and Richard Newling Ward, who originally lived and worked in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia. They were then joined by Kieran Gleeson, who brought an ambition for large scale projects to the table.
Together the three directors spearhead BayleyWard, driving best practice design and providing leadership for the now 60-strong staff within their Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Spanish studios.
Known for its attention to detail and creating projects that reflect place and culture, BayleyWard has realised many outstanding projects that span diverse scales and typologies and these include multi-residential and mixed-use, workplace and hospitality commissions as well as urban precincts.
As the practice has grown it has also transitioned, building on its experience and honing its expertise. Initially known as a boutique practice, BayleyWard designed single residential projects that spoke of a layered and crafted design process, with seamless integration of interior design and architecture. This led organically to designing smaller curated multi-residential apartment projects. However, after five years, it was time for the practice to expand, diversify the business and increase the scale of operations.
Now elevated to the next level of urban design and city shaping, BayleyWard has become a force in its own right, with a national reach. Working creatively and intelligently is what the practice does best, now conceiving social and affordable housing projects that seek to improve both amenity and sustainability.
“We really enjoy breaking the mould in how we can deal with designing for diverse sectors across the age spectrum. We see in some of our specialist housing projects, an ability to make real impact on how those different parts of society can live with dignity and vibrancy,” says Bayley.
Within the practice is a broad range of experts, bringing together diverse skillsets across architecture, interiors and urban design. Designing in Melbourne is different to Sydney, Brisbane or even Spain, and the studios collaborate closely — connected by a shared culture and a collective passion for design.
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While the directors provide overarching leadership, the introduction of new architects such as Joshua McAlister further strengthens the BayleyWard offering and enhances the depth of expertise available to clients.
The result is a practice shaped by connection and specialisation, where expertise is valued and voices are heard — ensuring that BayleyWard’s work is not only innovative and rigorous, but also refined in its execution.
BayleyWard has delivered many notable projects that have received multiple awards and accolades, and this momentum continues. Yet the practice does not believe in standing still. While architecture and interiors remain its backbone, it also invests in research and development, exploring new technologies in construction and delivery to reinforce its position as a design leader.
Recently completed projects include The Carlile in Armadale, Adamson in Brighton and Scape Leicester in Carlton, all in Victoria. Each project is distinct — as is its residential demographic — yet each stands as an exemplar of the practice’s considered approach.
“It’s an exciting future and every one of our projects has a really strong story to it, because each is unique in its context, client group or user brief,” explains Bayley.
The Carlile is a six-storey new build set among neighbouring Art Deco and Victorian buildings. While undeniably contemporary, its sculptural curves sit comfortably within its established streetscape. With retail at ground level, nine apartments — no more than three per floor — and a full-floor penthouse, the development offers grand living supported by bespoke interiors crafted with natural timber joinery and stone finishes.
Adamson, by contrast, responds to the elegant houses and leafy streets of Brighton. A classic façade of arches interwoven with climbing flora frames 16 apartments, where generous terraces, exterior courtyards and landscaped gardens extend the living experience beyond the interior.
While The Carlile and Adamson occupy the upper end of the multi-residential market, Scape Leicester presents a compelling model for student living. Located in Carlton, the project comprises 296 premium units across 11,600 square metres. The architecture is bold and contemporary, balancing internal amenity and views with sustainability initiatives. The northern façade shades framed terraces, extensive planting enhances comfort and mitigates the urban heat island effect, and thoughtful ventilation strategies improve airflow throughout.
Across typologies and scales, BayleyWard continues to push the envelope. For this practice, architecture and design never stand still. Whether exploring modern methods of construction, refining everyday amenity or shaping entire neighbourhood precincts, BayleyWard remains focused on design that is future-oriented — and grounded in the ambition of living well today.
