our team

I am a registered Architect and the founder of Petroff Architecture, a Melbourne‑based practice focused on adaptable, context‑aware architecture shaped by material clarity, construction intelligence, and a deep respect for the act of building.

My work is grounded in the belief that architects must understand how buildings are made. I see architecture as a crafted act; one that emerges from close engagement with materials, construction systems, and the skills of those who build.

This approach is informed by my early years working alongside my father, a builder, and later apprenticing on site as a carpenter. I continue to thrive on hands‑on work, using the building process itself as a means of architectural inquiry, experimentation, and reflection.

Alongside practice, I teach design and construction in the School of Design and Architecture (SODA) at Swinburne University of Technology. Teaching keeps my practice deeply connected to contemporary construction knowledge, industry standards, and emerging design approaches. Working with students sharpens my thinking, ensuring Petroff Architecture remains responsive, rigorous, and aligned with best practice across both design and documentation. I have also taught construction technology and commercial construction within the University of Melbourne’s construction program.

I am particularly passionate about Australian and Japanese architecture, and the way clear, functional design approaches respond to climate, material constraints, and place. I continue to study Japanese language and architecture, drawing lessons from both cultures into my teaching and practice.

Petroff Architecture was established in 2017 and continues to evolve through a commitment to material understanding, buildability, and the culture of building.

Education

(The) University of Melbourne

Master of Architecture

Bachelor of Property and Construction

Bachelor of Architectural Studies

I am an Associate at Petroff Architecture and a graduate of architecture with a strong interest in creating meaningful, context‑based architecture shaped by site, scale, and human experience.

My work is driven by the belief that good buildings emerge from a close understanding of place, function, and occupation, with design intent clearly expressed through form, structure, and spatial organisation.

I graduated as the top student in my cohort at Swinburne University of Technology, where my academic work focused on clarity of design thinking and the relationship between architecture, use, and context. I value architecture that is purposeful and legible, shaped by how buildings work, how they are experienced, and how they sit within their surroundings.

My early professional experience involved large government and multi‑residential projects, which gave me a strong understanding of complex building types and delivery processes. This work reinforced my appreciation for architecture that is robust, functional, and carefully resolved, and for the importance of clear thinking from concept through to construction.

In recent years, my interests have shifted toward smaller projects where architecture can be developed through close engagement with clients and a careful reading of site conditions. I am particularly drawn to work where scale, proportion, materiality, and layout are informed by use and occupation.

My design approach is grounded in principles of functional modernism, with an emphasis on clarity, restraint, and purpose. I value architecture that is calm and well considered, where form follows use and spaces are shaped by human scale and everyday experience rather than visual effect.

I believe meaningful architecture grows from close relationships with clients, consultants, and builders, resulting in buildings that are grounded, functional, and deeply connected to both people and place.

Education

Swinburne University of Technology

Master of Architecture and Urban Design

Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours)