Brett Nixon Director

Brett was attracted to architecture as a profession because it is grounded in reality yet would allow him to express his creativity. The first step was studies at Melbourne University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in planning and design and another in architecture (with honours).

Over the following two decades Brett worked with various practices, gaining experience on a wide range of assignments before co-founding NTF, focusing on the residential sector.

For Brett, architecture is not only about design skills but having deep knowledge of function, form, materials and processes, and the ability to plan, negotiate and manage. That’s all requisite for what he believes is the key part of the architect’s role: communicating with the client and being up front about the realities of the process. Then it’s a matter of trusting his instincts in developing the solution.

George Fortey Director

George studied architecture and construction at Deakin University, Geelong, graduating with a bachelor of arts (architecture), and also undertook courses at the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada. He then worked with two leading architectural firms in Melbourne, before co-founding NTF.

It was during his university days that George developed his enduring interest in the problem-solving aspects of architecture. This, together with his studies in classical and renaissance art, formed his approach to design, evidenced in work that’s characterised by a visually definable structural order and the use of heavier materials.

George thrives on the challenge of working with a client to solve the requirements of the brief, visually, spatially and economically. His preferred way of expressing his response is through the floor plan. For him, an aesthetically balanced and efficient plan is the basis for a series of spaces that flow with order, logic and hierarchy and, above all, are designed for living.

Sophie Bardoel

As her interest in visual aesthetics developed, Sophie began studying interior architecture at Monash University. While loving the interior design elements, she felt more drawn to the built form and transferred to the University of Melbourne, completing a bachelor’s degree in environments (architecture) and a master’s in architecture.

After initial employment with a global architectural firm, assisting on a major transport infrastructure project, Sophie joined our team, where she’s much happier working in residential design and getting to collaborate more closely with colleagues and consultants.

For Sophie, caring about the detail is crucial to the quality of the finished product. She believes achieving that, along with trust and understanding, is the basis of building successful relationships with clients.

Parisse Constantine

Not only does her family hail from the tiny island of Kasterllorizo in Greece, which is very sunny, but Parisse grew up in Perth, where the sun also happens to shine more often than not.

An inevitable attraction to the elements, and a desire to be surrounded by beautiful things and thoughtful spaces, led to studies at the University of Western Australia, where she gained a bachelor’s degree in environmental design and a master’s in architecture.

Moving to Melbourne may have meant there’s less of the sunshine that Parisse loves, but working with us allows her to pursue her dream of designing ‘special spaces for great people’.

The key to doing that, she says, is listening to clients and getting to understand their aspirations; the reward coming when they’re happy with the result and express their appreciation.

Kate Corke

An early interest in interior design led Kate to RMIT University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in design. Then the idea took hold that she could one day seamlessly integrate the interior with the exterior, and her academic path turned towards Melbourne University and a master’s in architecture.

Kate’s first job in the industry was working on commercial and education projects, but her heart lay in engaging with families and designing ‘beautiful homes’, which brought her to us.

The deep level of architect/client relationships in residential architecture is the aspect that Kate enjoys so much, and the opportunities to help people ‘build their dreams’. It’s particularly satisfying when she gets the chance to involve her flair for interior design.

Ben Ellul

While Ben was studying at Monash University he took a casual job at Target, and takes pride in the fact that ‘nobody could stack a shelf like I can’. It reflects his highly organised approach to everything, and his love of how things go together, which saw him graduate with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a master’s in architecture.

Ben believes that good architecture can improve the way we live, through well-considered and thoughtful design. He says it’s also about taking care of the detail, which is top of mind when he’s working through a project.

Every aspect of the design process is approached in a methodical manner, from the conceptual stages to connecting with clients at a personal level, coordinating consultants, checking regulations and dealing with authorities.

Richard Fitzgerald

During Richard’s school years in Ireland his drawing skills impressed the headmaster, who encouraged him to look into becoming an architect. This culminated in a move to England and studies at the University of Liverpool, where he graduated with bachelor’s degrees in architecture and arts (architecture). 

Following several years working with a large multidisciplinary firm in Dublin and Cork, Richard came to Australia and joined our team. He is keenly interested in the spatial, material and social aspects of architecture and how they apply in a meaningful way to the projects he’s involved in day to day. 

Richard sees clear communication as vitally important, to ensure the aspirations and expectations of the client and architect are aligned.

Ivan Embrechts Senior Project Leader

Ivan, whose father is Belgian and mother Swazi, grew up in Swaziland before moving with his family to Belgium where he studied at the Henry van de Velde Higher Institute for Architectural Sciences in Antwerp, graduating with a master’s in architecture.

After graduation, a brief sojourn to the UK turned into a stay of eight years, working with various firms on a range of architectural projects, including 1 Hyde Park in London, the world’s most expensive apartment building.

Ivan’s move to Melbourne and NTF has allowed him to apply that broad experience to his real interest, designing homes, which he approaches in a thoughtful way from concept to completion, so they ‘do what they’re supposed to do and are pleasant to live in and look at’.

Adrian Olsson Architect

Influenced early on by his family’s involvement in the arts, Adrian saw architecture as a way to pursue his dual interests of design and ‘building things’. Good results in architectural drafting studies at Gordon Institute of TAFE provided entry to Deakin University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture.

Adrian then worked in Melbourne for a couple of leading firms before heading off to a major multidisciplinary practice in Dublin. Since his return he has combined senior roles in design, project management, construction detailing, contract administration, and ‘green architecture’. 

Adrian enjoys opportunities to integrate green principles with the concepts and values of minimalist modern architecture, and he has an affinity for the natural materials and palettes that were popular in that era.

Tamara Berkowitz Architect

Tamara’s interest in the visual arts and mathematics led to architecture as a career choice and studies at RMIT University, where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architectural design and a master’s in architecture. 

After learning the ropes with a boutique residential design firm, Tamara joined other practices working on social housing, commercial buildings and public projects. Her real interest, however, lies in residential architecture, which brought her to us.

For Tamara, the opportunity to design a home for someone is ‘something special’, as it requires understanding their aspirations and getting all the details right, so the vision becomes a reality. She enjoys solving the challenges along the way and ‘working directly with the people who will live in the home’.

Alison Purcell Administration Coordinator

As administration coordinator, Alison keeps our practice running smoothly by managing all those essential back-office tasks such as invoicing, banking, paperwork, filing and the HR side of things.

Before devoting time to bringing up her two children, Alison worked in the finance sector, including admin and personal assistant roles with accounting firms, one of the big banks and a leading stockbroking company.

While we’ve gained the benefit of her experience and organising skills, Alison says she finds the creative atmosphere and vibrancy of an architectural practice much more engaging. Most particularly, she enjoys being part of a close-knit team and playing a role in projects that are interesting and purposeful.