Sydney architect Joe Snell headlines House Rules judging on Channel 7's reno series

Sydney-based architect Joe Snell has been named as one of the judges on Channel 7’s new reality show House Rules.

From the makers of My Kitchen Rules, Channel 7’s take on the popular reality show The Block.

House Rules will see six teams of complete strangers transform each others homes around the nation.

Joe Snell (pictured below) first completed a Bachelor of Science with a major in architecture and moved to London to become a real estate agent for two years.

Upon returning, Snell completed his Bachelor of Architecture at The University of Sydney and joined his father's firm, Snell Architects.

Snell Architects was founded in 1978 and won the best retail design award at the Westfield National Awards 2012.

"Being a real estate agent made me a better architect, as I actually learnt what people really wanted in a house," Snell says.

Outside of his architectural interest, Snell recently created an exhibit for Vivid Sydney – an annual festival of light and music.

“Most people think that architecture is this massive thing, but hopefully by watching House Rules they will realise it is just about making your day a little better,” he says.

“I want to see how the contestants use the natural light of the house, how they manage the cross ventilation of air flow, how they use and interpret the space of the house and their employment of scale and proportion.

“I will tell the truth about the space as I see it, regardless of who renovated it, and I will not sugar coat it, but that doesn’t mean I will be a horrible judge.”

Snell currently lives in Sydney with his wife Laura and their two sons.

Snell will judge House Rules alongside Wendy Moore, who is the editor of Home Beautiful magazine and has been in the magazine industry for more than 20 years.

Moore (pictured below) became editor in 2006, having previously worked on Australian Women's Weekly, Woman's Day and Burke's Backyard magazine.

"I am a pretty honest person," Moore says.

"If I do have something brutal to say, I will have a reason for saying it.

"My aim is to be constructive and truthful."

Moore's own home in Sydney's inner west has undergone its own renovation, including the add on of a home office and a kitchen makeover - all for under $2,500.