Aileen Sage is a design collective providing architectural, landscape, heritage, and integrated public art services. We lead with integrity, collaborate with intent, embrace the unexpected and always look for moments of joy.

Our approach
Who is Aileen Sage?
Aileen Sage is not a person, but a shared mindset shaped through dialogue. Formed from the middle names of our founders, Isabelle Aileen Toland and Amelia Sage Holliday, it reflects our belief that architecture is most impactful when people come together, and ideas are communally generated.
Founded in 2013, our Sydney-based practice has grown from a partnership of two to a dedicated team of 10+ designers, architects and researchers who each bring complementary skills and expertise to our projects.
What do we work on?
We are experienced lead consultants providing full architectural, landscape, heritage, and integrated public art services from inception through to completion. We are recognised for making positive contributions to urban identity and translating the underpinning social, historical, and environmental narratives of a place.
Our past and ongoing projects include commercial and mixed-use developments, community and cultural buildings, homes for a single client or a mix of residents, adaptive re-use works on historically significant sites, arts events and activations, strategic masterplans for new neighbourhoods, and modular design.
Regardless of scale or typology, we ultimately aim to make good work that all involved can be proud of – places that communicate cross-culturally, cross-generationally, serve their purpose, and invite us to rethink the status quo.
We aim to build lasting relationships with clients and communities that extend beyond a single project. Founded on trust and a deep respect for many voices, these long-term collaborations allow us to co-create places for everyone that will be valued long into the future.


Our team
Our shared values include honesty, compassion and generosity. Each member of our team is passionate about design and committed to sustainable outcomes. The scale of the practice ensures that directors Isabelle and Amelia are involved with and collaborate closely on the design and delivery of all projects. We value debate and engage in productive collaborative partnerships.
Collaborators since 2013
Alex Jones
Cassandra Lal-Teerman
Gracie Grew
Jenna Rowe
Linda Lam
Marek Vilasek
Mikhaela Rodwell
Nicole Larkin
Nina Tory Henderson
Pierre Dalais
Prudence Duncan
Sean Bryen
Shannan Snowball
Stephanie Francis
Tye McBride
Yvette Salmon
Press
Our work has been published widely, locally and internationally.
2025
Reclaiming Colonial Architecture
Reconnecting Architecture with Country at 119 Redfern Street
2024
Architecture Australia
Featured Project: Redfern Community Facility
2024
PLOT Magazine
Contemporary Australian Practices
2023
The Local Project
Opened Repurposing: East Sydney Terrace
2023
The Local Project
A Narrow Navigation: Darlington Terrace by Aileen Sage
2022
Houses
Retro reimagined: Seberry Beach House
2021
The Local Project
A Central Focus: House with a Hole
2021
Architecture Australia
Reclaiming the charm: Marrickville Half House
2020
MMXX
Two Decades of Architecture in Australia: The Pool
2018
Hand Mind: Conversations on Architecture and the Built World
An Architecture of Good Intentions: Aileen Sage’s The Pool
2018
Architecture Australia
Striking a chord: Treetop Studio
2018
Green Magazine
Remaking History
2017
The New York Times Style Magazine
A social history of Australia, through its swimming pools
2017
Habitus Living
Finding A Secret Garden In The Heart Of Paddington
2016
Divisare
15 Biennale di Venezia. Australian Pavilion
2016
Dezeen
Australian Pavilion features swimming pool as "space for healing racial and cultural division"
2016
ArchDaily
The Pool: Inside Australia's Pavilion at the 2016 Venice Biennale
2016
Architecture Australia
Damp power: Reflections on The Pool
2016
Divisare
Artbank Sydney
2015
Architecture Australia
Playing to type: Courtyard House
2015
Australian Financial Review
Australian architects take water installation to Venice
2015
Dezeen
Textured brick and concrete house in Sydney encloses a garden courtyard
2015
Architecture Australia
Diving deep: The Pool at Venice 2016
2015
Sturgeon
Artbank Sydney
2015
ArchDaily
Paddington Courtyard House
2014
Green Magazine
Paddo Push
Awards
We are proud that our work has been recognised and awarded locally and internationally for design excellence and innovation. We are pre-qualified for the Government Architect’s Strategy and Design Excellence Scheme.
2026
Tree Family Tables
Finalist, Australian Furniture Design Awards
2025
119 Redfern Street
Shortlist, Horbury Hunt Commercial, Think Brick Awards
2025
AMRF Building 2
Honourable Mention, Government Architecture, The International Architecture Award for 2025
2025
AMRF Building 2
Shortlist, Future Projects, World Architecture Festival
2024
119 Redfern Street
Award, Public Architecture Award, AIA NSW
2024
119 Redfern Street
Commendation, Heritage, AIA NSW
2024
119 Redfern Street
Shortlist, Public Architecture, AIA National Awards
2024
119 Redfern Street
Award, Heritage Architecture, National Trust NSW
2024
119 Redfern Street
Award, Adaptive Reuse (Alteration/Addition), Sustainability Awards - Architecture and Design Australia
2024
Bobbin Head Amenities
Commendation, Small Project Architecture, AIA NSW
2023
Clay Dynasty Exhibition
Shortlist, Installation Design, Australian Interior Design Awards
2020
Sydney Park Amenities
Award, Small Project Architecture, AIA NSW
2019
Aileen Sage
Longlist, Dorfman Internal Award, Royal Academy of Arts
2019
Paddington Courtyard House
Award, New Building, Woollahra Design Excellence Award
2019
Paddington Courtyard House
Award, Sustainability, Woollahra Council Design Excellence
2018
Aileen Sage
Emerging Architects Prize, AIA NSW
2018
Treetop Studio
Robert Woodward Award, Small Project Architecture, AIA NSW
2017
Aileen Sage
Finalist, Emerging Creative Talent Award, NSW Creative Industries Awards
2017
The Pool
Award, Commercial Interior - Public and Hospitality, Dulux Colour Awards
2017
The Pool
Commendation, International, Interior Design Excellence Awards
2017
The Pool
Commendation, Installation Design, Interior Design Awards
2017
The Pool: Architecture, Culture & Identity
Award, Adrian Ashton Prize for Architectural Writing and Publication, AIA NSW
2015
Aileen Sage
Commendation, Emerging Architecture Practice, Houses Awards
2015
Paddington Courtyard House
Award, Single Residential Interior, Dulux Colour Awards
2015
Paddington Courtyard House
Shortlist, New House Over 200sqm, House Awards
2015
Paddington Courtyard House
Shortlist, Outdoor, Houses Awards
2015
Paddington Courtyard House
Shortlist, Residential - New, AIA NSW
Careers
We are not currently recruiting.
Enquiries regarding future opportunities should be sent via email.







