Architecture Studio

Meet the team

Dave Martin

Co–Founder & Director

It has long been clear that Dave Martin, founder and Director of The Sociable Weaver & Martin Builders, is in this world and the building industry to lift the game and challenge the status quo. Dave’s skills and experience as a builder comes with numerous prestigious accolades and awards, such as the Master Builder of the year and other highly sought after industry awards. He has also had a wide spread of marketing and media interaction and appearances, featuring on Grand Designs Australia for the construction of the Croft House. Dave has wide experience in the construction industry and is the director, co-director and co-founder of multiple companies across his time such as Archiblox, Birdie Workshop, JM Cladding, Small Giants Developments, and The Cape Patterson Eco-Village, The Sociable Weaver and Martin Builders. Dave has always had a passion for high quality, responsible and sustainable design and construction. This passion connected him with likeminded peers who were doing their bit to make change but Dave found himself wanting to do more – this was the motivation to start The Sociable Weaver & Martin Builders. Dave wanted to take things further to use his skills to make a difference in the world. The Sociable Weaver & Martin Builders gives him the opportunity to drive his vision for change and to challenge construction common practice into something really exciting and innovative. Through Dave’s practice he has proved that carbon negative is possible and a 10 star energy rating is achievable.

Danny Almagor

Co–Founder

Co-founder of The Sociable Weaver, Danny Almagor OAM has carried his inspiring vision for the world into the built environment. He is also the Co-Founder, alongside his wife Berry, and Executive Chair of Small Giants Family office – Australia’s first B-Corporation dedicated to creating social and environmental change through business, education, and storytelling. He is a genuine leader in the Impact space having been involved in the creation of over a dozen for profit and non-profit organisations including Engineers Without Borders Australia, The Sociable Weaver Group, and Impact Club. He also founded and Chairs the Impact Investment Group, was the driver behind the creation of Sentient Impact Group, and in 2020, amidst the global pandemic, transitioned Small Giants’ existing education, storytelling and media efforts into a dedicated not-for-profit accelerator, education, and media initiative called Small Giants Academy. Danny facilitates many of SGA’s programs including the year-long Mastery of Business & Empathy (MBE) which extends and reimagines the traditional MBA, as well as Impact Safaris which combine transformational leadership and travel experiences. Danny was the inaugural Social Entrepreneur in Residence at RMIT and has been recognised through many awards including a Churchill Fellowship, the Hal Taussig B Corp award and the Medal of the Order of Australia.

Reece Stubbs

CEO of The Sociable Weaver

Reece, the CEO of The Sociable Weaver Group, has long been inspired to explore how the design and construction industry can contribute to shaping a more sustainable and improved future for human habitat. As a skilled carpenter and fourth-generation builder, Reece transitioned from hands-on tools to pursue a role in leading organisations within the industry. Leveraging his extensive hands-on experience and business expertise, he seamlessly integrates both architectural design and quality craftmanship. Reece brings a wealth of industry expertise, having held diverse roles such as on-site management, project management, General Manager, and CEO positions. In addition to being a Registered Builder, he holds qualifications as a Permaculture Designer and generously volunteers his time to contribute to construction industry committees. As a firm advocate of the belief that home is where the heart is, Reece is driven by a passion for crafting beautiful homes and spaces for our clients. These spaces not only reflect the essence of who they are and how they want to feel but also contribute to a more sustainable future for our environment and community as a whole.

Michael Nowlan

Head of Design

As the Head of Design for The Sociable Weaver, Michael believes that nature and minimising environmental impact are the critical principles for driving positive change in the architecture and construction industry. With a strong belief that architectural design should be guided by nature, Michael draws inspiration from natural patterns to create spaces that seamlessly integrate with their surroundings. Michael’s design philosophy is founded in listening to our clients, understanding who they are and what they want to create a home that aligns with their current and evolving needs. Michael’s design approach priorities our clients’ needs, nature, functionality, and the overall environmental impact of the design to create beautiful yet practical spaces that leave a positive impact on the planet. With over 10 years of experience in the architecture and construction industry, Michael brings expertise as a Certified Passive House Designer with the qualifications to complete Life Cycle Assessments on each project using eTool. His mission is to create homes with zero environmental footprint, inspiring sustainability and positive global change.