NAAU is an emerging architecture and urban design practice led by Edmund Carter, John Doyle, Ben Milbourne and Laura Mártires. The practice specialises on the design and delivery of 'urban architecture.'
With the rapid expansion of urbanisation over the last 100 years, more than half of the world's population is now living in cities. In the 21st century, the environment in which buildings and cities are procured has become increasingly complex. To respond to this we need to construct new models of practice that are capable of capable of dealing with ever more dynamic processes and complex organisations.
Our practice seeks to develop innovative solutions to the challenges of building in cities and urban environments. We specialise in design and problem solving, with a trans-disciplinary approach that spans architecture, interior and urban design, as well as information systems, sustainability, planning, economics, infrastructure and construction technology.
We look at an entire project and consider the site, the cultural and economic environment, a client's physical needs and budget constraints, as well as construction techniques, branding, marketing, and post-occupancy issues. We use evolving computer-aided design technologies not only to produce innovative architectural forms but to streamline the design and construction process and create new efficiencies and cost-savings.
The practice is organised around a core team of staff that are involved in all aspects of project work. As an office we embrace the collaborative nature of our industry and have developed a strong network of expert consultants and project partners with which we regularly work.
We are involved in ongoing research into the future of cities, and innovation in information and fabrication technology through our partnership with RMIT University.
NAAU's creative team has over 40 years of experience in significant architecture and urban design projects both internationally and in Australia. We contribute regularly to industry publications and journals and our work has been published extensively. Our partners are regularly invited to lecture on issues around architecture and urbanism, and have received numerous awards and citations.
John Doyle is a registered architect and the organisational force behind NAAU’s collaborative structures. He has expertise in coordinating and working with large multi-stakeholder project teams. John was a project architect at LAB Architecture Studio & Toyo Ito and Associates, where he worked on the deliver of highly complex international commercial projects. Through NAAU and his practice Martires Doyle, John specialises in the delivery of high impact public realm projects that make the most of limited budgets and extreme timeframes. John is a Lecturer at RMIT University and head of the Master of Architecture Program. He is member of the D__LAB: Cities, D__LAB: Technology and is a PhD Candidate in the School of Architecture and Design.
Laura Mártires has expertise in large scale design/masterplanning and urban design as well as a profound interest in the role of architecture as an inherent component of urban landscapes. She was a visiting researcher at the Politecnico di Milano and completed a series of private architectural commissions in Portugal. Laura’s research work in Japan engaged closely with issues relating to the recovery of post-industrial cities, particularly in relations to waterfront interfaces. Her work has been published extensively including Japan Architect and Shinkenchiku magazines.
Ben Milbourne is a registered architect and the technical director of NAAU. Ben has considerable experience on the delivery of complex projects, including CCTV Beijing and the Hermitage Museum Expansion while working for OMA. He is the director of small practice Bild Architecture, which has been recognised for excellence through the delivery of finely crafted residential projects, furniture and installations. Ben is a Dulux Study Tour Alumni, has won numerous awards and has served on AIA Vic Chapter Awards Juries. Ben has completed large scale art installations utilising architectural representation and new medias in Berlin and Melbourne.Ben is a faculty member in the RMIT University School of Architecture + Design, where is currently researching new approaches to construction using robotic fabrication techniques.
Edmund Carter is a registered architect with a range of cross-disciplinary experience working in architecture, urban design, public art and place making. His work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, including in the Venice and Rotterdam Architecture Biennales. Edmund’s experience in urban design, place making and public art extends to collaborations on some of Australia’s most innovative public squares and buildings.