We create design experiences that contribute to a better quality of life. We make spaces for families to grow and live better together and develop products that connect with the environment they are a part of. We collaborate – with each other, our clients and other makers – to find solutions specific to the process we are engaged with.

Our work encompasses residential, commercial and government architecture; public and private landscape projects; as well as the design and manufacture of furniture, lighting and fabrication. Our directors have over 25 years of combined experience and were drawn together to create an inclusive practice that is truly outcome orientated. We have won awards across a range of disciplines connected to the built environment that recognise our design excellence and innovation, along with our commitment to sustainable buildings and the environment. Our innovative designs are focused on material honesty, thermal performance and constructability, as we strive for affordable and responsive architecture that contributes to the public domain.

We are not focused on specific sectors – if it’s an interesting project, we’re interested in discussing it.

Our process is an evolving framework, enabling us to work toward your goals. It has been developed to reduce risk and maximise opportunity.

You define the goals that we work together to achieve. We engage those goals to clarify a long-term value and outcome for the project.

During the concept phase, we look at the building from the outside-in, focusing on key areas and relationships. The detail phase is about how things work, from the interior to the exterior.

The resolution phase is about the nuts and bolts, getting everything we need for the builders on paper.

Finally, we engage with contractors directly, working with them to make their job easy and the building process simple.

Founded by Josh FitzGerald, Chris Haddad, and Chris Gilbert in 2012, our shared belief in architecture as a sensory experience laid the foundation for the practice. We were inspired by the idea that buildings should be felt, not just seen, and driven by a passion for efficient, sustainable construction. Our time at UTAS fostered hands-on learning and an appreciation for digital fabrication, sparking their love for making. After relocating to Melbourne for post-graduate studies and industry experience, we grew frustrated with inefficiencies in traditional project delivery, reigniting our ambition to start our own practice.

Archier’s breakthrough came with the Sawmill House, a collaboration between Chris Gilbert and his brother Ben, a sculptor. This experimental project utilised massive reclaimed concrete blocks paired with timber and glass, combining sustainability with striking design. The home, featured on Grand Designs Australia, brought national attention to our emerging firm and cemented the founders’ commitment to exploring architecture through hands-on construction.

Our first workspace in Preston functioned as both an office and workshop, where we prototyped furniture, lighting, and architectural components — a practice that remains integral to our ethos. Early projects often saw the team building parts of clients’ interiors and our own homes, deepening our connection to craftsmanship. In 2014, Jon Kaitler joined as a fourth director, bringing expertise in landscape architecture and project delivery, enhancing their holistic approach. In 2017, Sophie Gandar came aboard, first as practice manager and later as CEO, helping guide Archier’s evolution and the establishment of its sister company, Candour.

Archier thrives on collaboration, engaging clients, consultant partners, and colleagues and working in the style of a collective. By embracing innovative processes and simplifying complex project delivery, we’re positioned at the forefront of sustainable and proficient design. We remain committed to pushing boundaries — delivering architecture that enriches lives while shaping a better-built environment.