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, before co-founding NTF, Brett worked with various practices, gaining experience on a wide range of assignments including terminal buildings for Qantas and other airlines, and major projects in the educational, local government, commercial and residential development sectors.

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.

Parisse Constantine Graduate of Architecture

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.

Claire Craigie Architect

After completing a bachelor’s degree in architecture at the University of Manchester, Claire worked in London with an international firm that led to a stint at their Melbourne practice, sparking a love for our city. 

Returning to the UK to complete her studies, she gained a master’s in architecture at the University of Edinburgh then immediately headed back here and before long joined us to focus on her primary interest, residential projects.

Designing homes appeals to Claire because it allows her to be creative, playful and spontaneous while also drawing on her interest in structure, order and process, with each project providing new challenges and opportunities. 

Claire’s approach is to get to understand the way her clients like to live and the spaces they want, and then guide them on the journey from concept to completion. She says being with them as they watch their wishes come true is incredibly rewarding.

Ben Ellul Graduate of Architecture

Ben believes that good architecture can improve the way we live, through well- considered and thoughtful design. It comes from a boyhood curiosity in ‘how things go together’, which evolved into studies at Monash University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and then a master’s.

That early interest is now reflected in his approach to projects, which include private homes, townhouses and multi-unit residential developments. It’s about taking care of the detail. Every aspect is worked through in a methodical manner, from the conceptual stages to connecting with clients, coordinating consultants, checking regulations and dealing with authorities.

In the design process, Ben likes exploring the integration of form and texture and the interplay between different materials, combining the conventional with the unexpected to create distinctive outcomes.

Tess McKinlay Interior Designer

After graduating from Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand, with both a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture and a master’s, Tess felt that Melbourne offered more opportunities to push the creative boundaries.

While initial employment with a large practice provided great experience, joining NTF has allowed Tess to engage directly with clients and see projects through from concept to completion as part of a close-knit team.

An important part of that process for Tess is listening carefully to a client’s briefing and then opening their minds to options that are more applicable and exciting than they anticipated.

A firm believer in the benefits that can flow from having a strong relationship between the interiors and the architecture, Tess enjoys contributing to the vision and then working through the push and pull of the process to achieve that overall sense of cohesiveness.

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’.

Cherise Northfield Architect

Captivated by the cultural scene in Melbourne, Cherise transferred to the University of Melbourne from interstate, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in environments (architecture) and a master’s in architecture, which allowed her to study abroad in China and Brazil.

While working full time at small and large architectural firms during her studies, Cherise gained experience in the various roles architecture demands and developed a strong understanding of the industry prior to graduating. She believes clear communication is vital to practising architecture, as this forms the basis of a successful project. 

Cherise sees architecture as a process for designing spaces that are bespoke for the people, yet one that equally considers the contextual elements. For her, it starts with being sensitive to what each client wants, and then developing a concept through form, functionality and materiality that can produce a built result that is better than they hoped, primarily enhancing people’s lives.

Matt Burgess Graduate of Architecture

Matt’s architectural expertise is combined with his training and practice in fine art. He graduated from the University of South Australia with a bachelor’s degree in visual arts, majoring in glass, and a second degree with honours. His glass sculptures have since been exhibited around Australia.

As his design interests expanded in both form and scale, Matt completed a bachelor’s degree in architectural studies followed by a master’s. He likes thinking of architecture as a bigger form of sculpture, in which people actually live. It’s also allowed him to explore and apply the qualities of other materials, such as the warmth of timber, which he loves.

A key difference between the disciplines is that whereas art is a solo activity, designing homes is a collaborative process in which Matt is working directly with clients. He gets great satisfaction from helping them build and enjoy a place of their own that he has played a part in creating.

Kate Larkin Administration Coordinator

When you ring our office and hear an Irish accent you’ll know it’s Kate who has answered your call. Originally from Galway, she moved to London for several years, studying and working in admin roles before coming to Australia.

Kate looks after our office systems and all those essential behind-the-scenes tasks, such as coordinating project programming and work-in-progress reports, managing the accounts, arranging meetings and presentations, and maintaining the library and samples files.

While we benefit from her organising skills, Kate says she enjoys working in a vibrant creative environment and being part of a team who are passionate about architecture and its purpose.