About
Built on a handshake. Held together by standards.
Demardi started with two school friends, an engineering degree, and a shared belief that building homes should be better than this.
Anthony De Melis and Michael (Mick) De Melis went to school together, then went separate ways professionally. Anthony into engineering — obsessed with systems, process and making sure nothing falls through the cracks. Mick into the trades — learning what good actually looks like, and how to make sure it happens on site.
In 2013 they came back together to start something they could be proud of. Demardi was born out of frustration with how building projects were typically managed: clients chasing for updates, brief details lost in translation, sites left messy, trades coming and going. They believed homeowners deserved better — better communication, better trades, better outcomes.
More than a decade later, Demardi is a small team of designers and builders working on a small number of high-end residential projects each year across Melbourne's eastern suburbs. The standards have only sharpened. The values are exactly the same.
"You'll never hear us say that's just the way things are done."
Our construction team
In-house craft. Long-tenured trades.
Many of our tradespeople have been with Demardi since their apprenticeships. That's not common in this industry — and it's something we're genuinely proud of. When you work with us, you get tradespeople who've grown up with our standards. Some of our subcontractor partnerships go back five to ten years.
Our design collaborator network
The right designer for your project.
We don't have a one-size-fits-all in-house designer. We have a trusted network of designers, architects and interior designers we've built relationships with over the years. When you come to us with a project, we assess your brief, your budget and your personality — then we introduce you to the right fit. It's a better way to do it.
Meet the team
The directors behind every Demardi home.
Anthony De Melis
Business Manager / Director / Co-Founder
Anthony started his career as an Engineer, which means he brings something unique to the Demardi team. His analytical mind is perfect for proposals, costings and forecasts — he needs three screens in his office just for one spreadsheet. Anthony is the guru of project management, and there's nothing he enjoys more than seeing a project progress from concept through to completion. Beyond the spreadsheets, he believes building relationships is the only way to do business. Anthony plays basketball in his spare time and has instilled a love of sport in his kids.
Michael (Mick) Gagliardi
Operations Manager / Director / Co-Founder · Registered Builder DB-U 42818 / CDB-U 56465
Mick is a lifer in the building game. He took up an apprenticeship straight out of school and later became a registered builder. He's the onsite whip-cracker, making sure each project runs on time and on budget without fail. Underneath the larrikin humour, getting the team home safe every day is what really drives him. An experienced builder, Mick highly values the individual skills and unique perspective that each member of the team brings to Demardi's projects. A dad of girls — outnumbered at home, but it brings out his softer side on the job site.
Christina
Office Manager
Christina has always been around the building trade — growing up, her parents were always busy with renovation projects and the kitchen table was forever covered in rolled-out construction plans. She took a career detour through pharmacy (she's a qualified clinical pharmacist) before coming back to her roots in construction. Charged with keeping Demardi's business systems running smoothly, Christina uses her perseverance and keen eye for detail to support the team with sales and business operations. At home, she rotates between soccer Mum, tennis Mum and footy Mum.
Johnny
Construction Manager
Demardi was looking for a carpenter to fill in for a quick three-week stint — that was two years ago and we haven't let John leave since. A career carpenter, John loves being involved in creating boutique homes from the ground up. He's often described as the joker of the team — but he's also an absolute workhorse, always late to lunch because he's just finishing off 'one more thing.' Quick to share his knowledge with those who are learning.
Sam
Project Coordinator
Sam has 'retired' from the tools and moved into the office as our project coordinator. With qualifications in building design, his knowledge and on-site background help him bring a unique perspective to the team. He has high expectations of himself — but he always meets them and delivers excellent work.
Jayden
Qualified Carpenter
Having previously worked as a draftsperson, it was a desire to be on the tools that led Jayden to starting his carpentry career. His unique background means he is meticulous in his trade and can problem solve to achieve great results on site. Jayden has a passion for sustainability, and a particular interest in homes that are energy efficient, future-proofed and built from environmentally conscious materials.
John
Site / Trades Assistant
Demolishing, tiling, construction, labouring, building, even painting — John is our jack of all trades. Coming from the world of property styling and staging, John made the leap to construction where he could work with his hands. His keen eye for aesthetic detail, willingness to try anything and ability to confidently switch between jobs are an absolute asset.
James
Apprentice
Jimmy's been obsessed with building since childhood. He helps out wherever he's needed onsite, expanding on the skills he gained completing his Certificate II in Building and Construction. Always asking questions, keen to learn everything he can — with a need for things to be 'just so' that we couldn't appreciate more.
Awards & recognition
- APB Business Partner of the Year · 2025
- Houzz Best of Design · 2022, 2023, 2024
- Channel 9 Dream Homes Revealed · S4 E12 'Tranquil Oasis'
Industry memberships
Our design collaborator network
The architects and interior designers we trust to bring projects to life.
We don't quote everything that comes through the door, and we don't pair every project with the same studio. We assess your brief, your budget and your personality — then introduce you to the right collaborator from the network we've built over the years.
Architects
- Dion Keech Architects
- Eckersley Architects
- Evan Kamvissis Architecture
- Levan Design
- Mesh Design Projects
- NEA Studio
Interior Designers
- Empire Studio
- Lewisham Interiors
- Lume Design
- Studio Esteta
- Tiano Studio
Next Step
Want to work with a team that actually cares?
We take on a limited number of projects each year. Tell us about yours and let's see if we're the right fit.