Our Studio
Our Values, Our Practice, Our Mission
Respectful
- At our core, we prioritise respect, kindness, and consideration in every interaction. Integrity guides our values, ensuring a healthy work/life balance while infusing genuine passion and energy into our daily endeavours. Our passion is to intelligently design spaces that foster comfort, joy, and wellbeing for everyone.
- We are dedicated to serving all people, constantly evolving and learning as we navigate both immediate challenges and long-term solutions. By focusing on healthcare and community clients, as well as creating beautiful homes, we gain a deep understanding of how people work, live, and thrive. This holistic approach allows us to craft environments that truly support and enhance the human experience.
Creative
We believe in pushing the boundaries of creativity. Our designs seamlessly blend functionality with modern aesthetics, ensuring that each product not only looks great but also enhances your everyday life.
Our philosophy revolves around inclusivity and collaboration. We want to work hand-in-hand with regional and local organisations, groups, and individuals to ensure a project that everyone can be proud of. Our sensitivity to cultural nuances and commitment to the ongoing success add significant value to the project.
Sustainable
As a proud BCorp-certified and carbon-neutral company, we prioritise social and environmental objectives over profit-making. Our commitment to fostering and supporting social enterprises, such as Who Gives a Crap and our regular fruit boxes, reflects the values that permeate all aspects of our engagement with society. A BCorp certification underscores our dedication to using business as a force for good, harmonising purpose with profit in everything we do.
Meet Our Team
Kirby Roper
Director
Kirby has cultivated a dynamic and adaptable architectural practice with Kirby Architects over the past 20 years, building on a decade of project management and consulting experience. As a registered architect, she has a proven track record of delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to complex design and construction challenges. Known for her strong communication skills and technical expertise, Kirby thrives in roles that align with her strengths and passions.
As a forward-thinking architect, she brings strategic insights and informed decision-making to the table, consistently achieving excellent results for her clients. Kirby takes an outcomes-focused approach, adeptly navigating projects that others might find challenging. Her extensive experience spans the entire project lifecycle—from inception to handover—allowing her to offer comprehensive advice at every stage.
Passionate about environmental sustainability and quality outcomes, Kirby prioritises responsible resource use. She leads a talented team skilled in designing to Passive House standards in Australia, utilising low-impact materials and processes.
Brendan Boyle
Senior Project Architect
Brendan is an innovative architect who excels at designing memorable public and private spaces. Over the past four years, he has made significant contributions to education, health, residential, and commercial projects, infusing each with his passion for creative design.
Brendan thrives in collaborative environments, where his leadership skills and ability to blend creative vision with practical execution come to the forefront. He enjoys working closely with teams to create designs that are not only visually appealing but also enhance the user experience. Known for his commitment to pushing boundaries, Brendan combines his design expertise with a user-first approach, ensuring that every project he undertakes is both innovative and impactful.
Kieran Benson
Architect
Kieran is an architect with four years of hands-on experience in the industry and a genuine passion for innovative design solutions. Kieran’s keen attention to detail and expertise cover the entire design process, including navigating complex regulations and ensuring compliance with all building codes ensuring that projects run smoothly.
With a solid foundation from his work in design and construction companies, Kieran is adept at finding practical solutions for challenging materials and fittings, giving him a strong grasp of constructability. His excellent communication skills enable him to manage project details effortlessly, whether responding to builders, consultants, or discussing instructions with clients face-to-face.
Annabelle Roper
Architect
Annabelle is an accomplished architect with over five years of experience in architectural practices. Known for setting high standards for herself, she is a quick learner, detail-oriented, and reliable in every task she undertakes, leveraging her extensive technical knowledge.
Passionate about sustainability, Annabelle focuses on long-term benefits rather than a fast-fashion approach to the built environment. She actively sources products and materials from companies with positive business models within her projects, maximising recycling efforts and minimising environmental impact.
Annabelle is dedicated to deepening her understanding of Australia’s First Nations peoples and developing architectural solutions that are sensitive to their needs and communities. She co-chairs Kirby Architects’ RAP working group and, as part of a small team at the University of Melbourne’s Bower Studio, has travelled twice to the remote Indigenous communities of Kalkaringi and Dagaragu in the Northern Territory. There, she has contributed to building essential shelters while collaborating with the communities to create environmentally sustainable and culturally relevant housing infrastructure.
Passionate about sustainability, Annabelle focuses on long-term benefits rather than a fast-fashion approach to the built environment. She actively sources products and materials from companies with positive business models within her projects, maximising recycling efforts and minimising environmental impact.
Annabelle is dedicated to deepening her understanding of Australia’s First Nations peoples and developing architectural solutions that are sensitive to their needs and communities. She co-chairs Kirby Architects’ RAP working group and, as part of a small team at the University of Melbourne’s Bower Studio, has travelled twice to the remote Indigenous communities of Kalkaringi and Dagaragu in the Northern Territory. There, she has contributed to building essential shelters while collaborating with the communities to create environmentally sustainable and culturally relevant housing infrastructure.
Emma Matthews
Office Administrator
Emma is a passionate Masters of Architecture student with a talent for ensuring that everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. With a keen eye for detail and a proactive approach, she effectively manages a variety of administrative tasks that keep the office organised and daily operations flowing efficiently.
Her experience in handling office logistics allows the creative team to focus on their design work, fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. Emma's strong organisational skills help streamline processes, making it easier for team members to collaborate and share ideas. Emma is eager to learn and grow within the field of architecture. She actively engages with her peers, seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and contribute to projects whenever possible. Her enthusiasm for the architectural process, combined with her commitment to maintaining a productive workspace, makes her an invaluable part of the team.
As she continues her studies, Emma looks forward to integrating her administrative skills with her passion for architecture, helping to bridge the gap between creative vision and practical implementation.
Her experience in handling office logistics allows the creative team to focus on their design work, fostering an environment where innovation can thrive. Emma's strong organisational skills help streamline processes, making it easier for team members to collaborate and share ideas. Emma is eager to learn and grow within the field of architecture. She actively engages with her peers, seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and contribute to projects whenever possible. Her enthusiasm for the architectural process, combined with her commitment to maintaining a productive workspace, makes her an invaluable part of the team.
As she continues her studies, Emma looks forward to integrating her administrative skills with her passion for architecture, helping to bridge the gap between creative vision and practical implementation.
Alba & Bobby
HR Support
Alba is our friendly and energetic Golden Labrador who brings joy and warmth to the team. With her sunny disposition and gentle nature, she’s a natural at brightening everyone’s day. Known for her playful spirit, Alba loves to join us during breaks, encouraging team bonding and a bit of fun. Her loyalty and affectionate personality make her a beloved member of our office family. When she's not napping in a sunny spot, you can find her eagerly participating in team walks or wagging her tail to cheer on her human counterparts during busy days.
Bobby, our clever and enthusiastic Border Collie, is the brain of the operation. With an impressive ability to learn and adapt, he’s always ready to lend a helping paw. Bobby thrives on activity and enjoys supporting the team. His keen intelligence and problem-solving skills make him the perfect companion for tackling challenges around the office. When he’s not busy chasing his favourite ball, you’ll find him keeping a watchful eye on the team, ensuring everyone is focused and motivated.
Together, Alba and Bobby create a lively and supportive atmosphere, reminding us all to balance hard work with a little bit of fun!
Together, Alba and Bobby create a lively and supportive atmosphere, reminding us all to balance hard work with a little bit of fun!