Impact Design: Building Meaningful Spaces
When we first opened the doors to Riva Bundall back in October 2023, Impact Design was one of our very first members, and they’ve been part of the Riva community ever since. Founded by architect Jordan Pope, Impact Design has grown into a leading Gold Coast architectural firm specialising in residential projects of all scales, from bespoke homes to multi-dwelling developments.
What makes Impact Design stand out is their commitment to people. Jordan and his team don’t just draw plans; they listen, collaborate, and translate their clients’ visions into reality. Every project is guided by the belief that great design can shape lives for the better, whether it’s a family home built with heart, or a development that lifts an entire streetscape.
We sat down with Jordan to learn more about his journey, the philosophy behind Impact Design, and what exciting projects lie ahead.
For those who don’t know, what is Impact Design and what do you specialise in?
Jordan Pope - Director & Architect
Impact Design is an architectural firm on the Gold Coast specialising in residential design for individual homes, dual occupancy dwellings, multiple dwellings and apartment developments providing a range of services including interior design.
What inspired you to start Impact Design and what do you think sets your approach apart from other architects?
Starting Impact Design has been a long desire since high school, it is a possession and purpose of mine. Our approach is steered towards harnessing technology and essentially becoming communicators of the industry transferring data to communicate to a whole host of stakeholders.
You focus heavily on residential projects - what excites you most about shaping spaces people call home?
Impact Design’s name reads for itself, it is all about impacting peoples lives through design built form, whether it be the intricate details of someone's home to improving the streetscape with multiple dwellings. The exciting prospect that really triggers the passion is knowing that people will live and interact with the built form we create for many years to come, having a long term impact on their lives. Knowing the end user who will be living in the home takes the gratitude and appreciation of this responsibility to another level.
How do you balance a client’s personal vision with your professional expertise when designing a project?
Impact Design was intended to not be about my name as an Architect, when we are designing someones home or project, it has nothing to do with what I want, it is all about the brief and overall objectives of the clients vision, our tagline, ‘inspiring vision to create reality’ is very much what we do. We take the vision and collaborate with clients, and utilising our technology and design skills carry that through on behalf of the client communicating with consultants, town planners, civil engineers, certifiers, builders, etc to bring their vision into reality on site. The balance throughout this process is seeing opportunity within the realm of the brief to improve the architecture of the city, improve elements of the clients lives, and improve the public through design. The balance is mostly geared towards the clients objectives and vision opposed to our own personal professional expertise.
Left to Right: Chris Miller - Project Designer, Georgia Posar - Interior Designer, Jordan Pope - Director/Architect, Luke Shields - Senior Architectural Designer, Dane Rose - Product Designer.
What are some of your main points of inspiration when you are in the design process?
Main touch points is understanding the clients brief and digging deeper to unlock elements of the design they did not know they needed in their lives, it is finding these hidden gems that give inspiration. Other main points is sharing imagery to and fro, sharing the feelings of what they want to achieve when walking through the space and inspiration can also be drawn from the site itself with views, solar aspect, adjacent buildings, privacy, amenity, overshadowing, etc.
Can you share a project that you’re particularly proud of, and what made it so meaningful?
I was lucky enough to design and build my own home 7 years ago, it is the most meaningful because it was created through everyone in the family, especially my father who was the builder. There were a few disagreements along the way, however now we have that special outcome of our family home which now my wife and two kids live in, responding to the built environment we created together with my father, is a legacy/monument to our relationship I will want to hold onto for a long time. Safe to say I won’t want to sell our home.
Have you had any “surprising” or “out there” requests from clients that stand out to you?
Not really. It may seem out there, but a lot of women who will be home alone whilst their partner travels overseas, want a safe space to escape to. With all the latest break and enters involving young kids with weapons, a safe room in the home which has the video cameras available to see, after a client's car was stolen 3 times in Mermaid Waters.
What’s the most rewarding moment in the entire process of designing and building?
Really seeing the design in reality built on site, reviewing how close the building is compared to our renders and drawing, but also seeing how people interface with the design. There is a project in Albatross Avenue we were heavily involved in during the DA process, and to think we shaped the design and now it is built with 8 unit owners enjoying the space. It is really a pinching moment to realise what we are doing really has a long lasting impact.
Albatross Avenue
Looking ahead, what’s next for Impact Design? Do you have any exciting projects upcoming?
The next 6-9 months is really the most exciting to date, with our team expanding to 5 people, we have a host of exciting projects at a larger scale than usual such as 20 townhouses just around the corner approaching submission in Mercedes Place, and another 21 townhouses in Robina with another larger development in Coolangatta approaching 24 apartments. Whilst the larger scale projects are progressing we are super excited for two high end homes for two amazing couples and I cannot wait to work with them in achieving a design we can all be proud of.
What was it about Riva Offices that stood out to you?
Initially we took the punt during construction without seeing the finishes internally, and when we moved in, the place was really an upgrade from where I was. In a much better location, better parking, better aspect, more professional outfit. These were the initial things that stood out, but as time went on, what really occurred to me is the people that manage the building are great, a tight-knit group that take care of everyone's needs and keep the place immaculate, classy and professional. All in all, a great setup with a great reputation, we have been on all 3 levels so far, and each 9-12 months have grown by one person, so a massive tick is that if you work with the Riva Office crew, there is opportunity as a business to ‘expand’ and ‘contract’ as the industry does. My mind is at ease knowing that if the industry does pivot, there is opportunity to downsize back to a smaller space and still maximise the amazing service Riva Offices provide.
If you’d like to learn more or explore working with Impact Design, visit their website: Impactdesign