Explore our latest ‘Made with Programa’ feature as Mera Studio Architects discusses the Hillhurst Residence, detailing the workflow, challenges, and how Programa streamlined the design process.
Made with Programa
Smooth Operator
26 August 2025
“If you're an interior design studio and you're not on Programa, what are you doing actually? Like, are you on Excel? How are you going?”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
From three to six people might not sound dramatic - until you're the one managing thousands of design decisions across multiple projects
When SMAC Studio Interior Architecture doubled from three to six people, it wasn't just about adding desks to their Melbourne workspace. It was about building the operational infrastructure to manage exponentially more complex projects without losing the creative vision that defines their multidisciplinary practice.
“It'll come to project fruition, and they're like, 'Oh, I didn't know that was there.' And you're like, really? You paid like two grand for it?”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
The client dashboard eliminates these surprises. Clients review specifications - from $2,000 tapware to textiles - anytime, anywhere. The approval workflow creates a clear record: clients actively sign off on selections with a click. This asynchronous communication has dramatically reduced email back-and-forth while ensuring everyone knows exactly what's been selected and approved.
“I would have never been comfortable to bring procurement into the business, but Programa, honest to god, makes it so easy.”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
Each product entry includes RRP, trade price, and SMAC's markup - transparent to clients. The system automatically calculates totals and generates purchase orders. Links, product codes, and lead times live in one place, meaning junior designers can process orders without constantly checking pricing structures with senior staff. Procurement has become a revenue stream rather than an administrative burden.
“We charge on an hourly basis. It's important to track our time in house, understand how much each project is costing us.”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
Team members log hours against specific project phases. The data feeds into profitability reports showing which work types are most profitable. When quoting new projects, SMAC references similar past projects for actual versus estimated hours, leading to more accurate proposals and protected margins as they've grown.
“The bigger we grow, the more mistakes happen. More people to keep track of, more clients to keep track of.”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
With six designers across multiple projects, SMAC uses Programa's flagging for urgent items and comments for general updates. The approval trail resolves "I thought we agreed on..." conversations quickly with clear documentation. This has proven invaluable for maintaining project momentum, not just dispute resolution.
“Having doubled in size and onboarded a few staff now, Programa is super intuitive, super easy to use.”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
New designers receive access on day one. Within a week, they're creating their own schedules and specifications. The standardized templates ensure consistent quality whether it's a senior designer or recent graduate managing the project.
“Now we're getting to the end of our projects, and everyone knows exactly what's going on. There's literally no surprises.”
Shona McElroyPrincipal
Final walkthroughs have shifted from tense reveals to celebrations. Clients have seen every selection, understood every cost, approved every decision. This clarity has reduced project close-out from weeks of reconciliation to smooth transitions into styling, where SMAC's creative vision shines. The result? A studio that's doubled in size while becoming "so much more professional" - proof that the right systems enable creativity to flourish at scale.
