About us

Belarte is a building practice dedicated to the art of continuity. We specialise in heritage restoration and architectural extensions, combining ancient craft and contemporary techniques to create spaces that are precise, enduring and deeply respectful of place.

We only take on a small number of homes each year. This deliberate pace allows us to study each detail closely, assemble the right team of craftspeople, and build with the patience and precision that ensure each project is made to last for generations.

Our team

Belarte was founded by Chris de Stratis, whose lifelong fascination with ancient architecture inspires the way we build today. From mixing cement to fine carpentry, he has worked across every element of construction, grounding our practice in both detail and discipline.

We work with a carefully chosen team of experts, from stonemasons and carpenters to plasterers and metalworkers. Many have collaborated with us for years, and together we approach each project with the same respect for time, detail and precision.

Our history

Chris grew up on building sites in Melbourne, learning the craft from the ground up. He built his first house in Fitzroy [date] before expanding his knowledge through study and travel, absorbing lessons from ancient architecture across Italy and Europe. The strength of an arch, the ingenuity of aqueducts, and the endurance of stonework remain enduring sources of inspiration. The name Belarte means ‘beautiful art’ in Italian. It was also inspired by Belle Arti, the renowned Italian group who care for ancient structures such as the Colosseum. Like them, we see building as both preservation and creation — keeping ancient techniques alive in the modern day, and building spaces where the past remains in dialogue with the present.

Our partners

We collaborate with leading architects and designers who share our commitment to care, detail and longevity.