MENU
Simon Brook
Simon Brook
Director / Architect
Simon Brook

Simon Brook.

Director / Architect
QLD ARN 4483

Simon has been a member of the Burling Brown team since his graduation in architecture in 2007 and more recently became the youngest Director of the firm. He has undertaken a wide variety of exceptional projects from concept design right through to the final building construction. Simon has developed an enthusiasm for innovative, sustainable materials and construction methods. Simon’s passion for holistic architecture has strengthened his design philosophy for encapsulating both the built form, its landscape and surrounding environment.
Andrew Brewer
Andrew Brewer
Director / Architect
Andrew Brewer

Andrew Brewer.

Director / Architect
QLD ARN 5148, NSW ARN 10424 (Nominated Architect)

As an inaugural Graduate of Architecture from Griffith University on the Gold Coast, Andrew provides a strong sense of detail in relation to Gold Coast Architecture. Since joining Burling Brown in mid-2013, Andrew is focused on delivering projects that engage in heightened levels of thinking with strong substance and quality, regardless of scale or context.
Brennan Cooper
Brennan Cooper
Director / Architect
Brennan Cooper

Brennan Cooper.

Director / Architect
QLD ARN 5030

Brennan became a Director of the firm in 2021. Practicing as a registered Architect, Brennan joined Burling Brown after graduating with his Masters of Architecture from The University of Queensland in 2013. Over his 10 years with Burling Brown, Brennan has compiled an extensive portfolio and experience in commercial, education, high-rise and residential architecture. Having worked on a variety of landmark projects both locally and nationally, Brennan actively seeks opportunities to incorporate the natural environment into his work to compliment a building's form. His work features strong ties to the context and history of Southeast QLD with a focus on subtropical vernacular architectural design. Brennan prides himself on being meticulous in detail across all stages of a project from design and documentation through to procurement and construction.
Nathan Quartermaine
Nathan Quartermaine
Director / Architect
Nathan Quartermaine

Nathan Quartermaine.

Director / Architect
QLD ARN 4073

Nathan began as a Director of the firm in 2006. Prior to this, he had spent many years working with various companies, developing his portfolio with a number of key commissions. He has experience in various cultures and has spent time as a project designer in Hong Kong and Canada. Nathan’s passion for Ecologically Sustainable Urban Development and creative building design is evident in a number of large scale and education commissions he has completed. Recently, this passion for sustainability culminated in gaining a Masters of Urban Planning from Bond University’s School of Sustainability. His thesis investigating the culture of ‘Retrofitting Suburbia’ in the Australian urban context was awarded the Planning Ministers Award in 2010. This has provided him with unique insights into the future of urban developments and further evolved his approach to sustainable development.
Darrell Brown
Darrell Brown
Architect & Founder
Darrell Brown

Darrell Brown.

Architect & Founder
QLD (Non Practising Architect)

Darrell was one of the founding members of Burling Brown Architects who recently stepped down from his role as Director. His passion lies in the creation of enduring and functional building designs. Darrell has delivered a variety of building typologies during his career across high-rise, health-care, commercial, community, aged care and education sectors. His formal education has extended beyond architecture to include a Masters in Planning. Darrell also has a long history of delivering signature projects in Darwin over the past 30 years.
Brian Kidd
Brian Kidd
Former Director
Brian Kidd

Brian Kidd.

Former Director
QLD (Non Practising Architect), NSW ARN 6066 (Non Practising Architect)

Brian Kidd entered Burling Brown in 1981 and became a director in 1995. He brought with him experience in resort, education, high-rise and residential architectural. Since joining he further excelled in these disciplines and continued to promote the use of creative and functional design principles in the delivery of quality built environments. Brian’s passion for photography and the arts, aids in the development of his creative visions.
Dylan McLaughlin
Dylan McLaughlin
Architect
Dylan McLaughlin

Dylan McLaughlin.

Architect
QLD ARN 5369

Dylan joined Burling Brown in 2015 after graduating from Griffith University where he received the Board of Architects' Prize and the QIA medallion in his final year of studies. He brings with him strong creative skills across all project stages and has a strong sense of detail in architectural rendering, presentation and 3D modelling.
Jacqui Darroch
Jacqui Darroch
Office Manager
Jacqui Darroch

Jacqui Darroch.

Office Manager

Starting as a Junior Receptionist in 2003 after completing her Certificate III in Business Administration, Jacqui has gained experience and taken on more responsibility over the years, eventually advancing to the position of Office Manager. This career growth showcases her dedication, adaptability and skills in Business Administration, allowing her to contribute to the success of the company in a broader capacity.
James Blair
James Blair
Architectural Technician
James Blair

James Blair.

Architectural Technician

In 2006 James graduated with a Bachelor of Design from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand.

Having worked with the team at Burling Brown since March 2007, he has gained a vast amount of knowledge and skill across a diverse range of building typologies.

Peter Nairn
Peter Nairn
Architect
Peter Nairn

Peter Nairn.

Architect
QLD ARN 5373

Peter has been a member of the Burling Brown team since 2009 & has been working in the industry for 25 years. Peter has extensive experience across a broad range of architectural typologies with a penchant for detailing through all phases of documentation. Whilst embracing the latest modelling technology Peter still enjoys & appreciates the art of manual drawing.
Rod Nairn
Rod Nairn
Architectural Technician
Rod Nairn

Rod Nairn.

Architectural Technician

With over 15 years’ of industry experience and a Diploma of Graphic Art and Illustration, Rod employs a passion to his work from concept presentation to final construction. He believes there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a project develop from concept design right through to the finished product.

Steve Woolard
Steve Woolard
Project Manager / Architect
Steve Woolard

Steve Woolard.

Project Manager / Architect
QLD ARN 3052, NSW ARN 9811

Steve graduated from the University of Queensland in 1993 following which he commenced work with Burling Brown in 1995 and as a registered Architect in 1996. Steve has extensive experience in building procurement particularly during the design, documentation and construction phases and has contributed to the success of many significant projects during the past 25 years working with Burling Brown.

Chad Becker
Chad Becker
Architectural Technician
Chad Becker

Chad Becker.

Architectural Technician

Chad has completed his Diploma of building design. During his studies he had the opportunity to study architectural design in Copenhagen, Denmark and after winning a design competition, had the unique opportunity to work on the Commonwealth Games athlete’s village. Chad started working with the team at Burling Brown in 2017 and has since gained vast experience and knowledge across countless educational, multi residential and Theme Park projects. His favourite aspect in all projects is developing and evolving the concept designs and seeing them become a built reality.
Nermin Adzemovic
Nermin Adzemovic
Graduate
Nermin Adzemovic

Nermin Adzemovic.

Graduate
M Arch, B Arch

Nermin’s thoughtful approach to each new project is the convergence of culture, science and philosophy. Deeply aware of human history and global impacts, he holds a connotation that “architecture needs to become an instigator for transformation in the social fabric”, informed in part by Lebbeus Woods. Nermin would like to see more socially sustainable and adaptable structures emerging on the Gold Coast, buildings designed for multiple and changing uses over time. Nermin holds aesthetics as equal to spatial functionality in importance.
Nikita Gangell
Nikita Gangell
Architectural Technician
Nikita Gangell

Nikita Gangell.

Architectural Technician

Nikita has completed her Diploma of Building Design with a passion for enhancing and shaping the lives of others through her work. Creativity and a sustainable environment, inspired Nikita into an industry where her passion thrives on continuous change and variety. Nikita offers her own style in design as well as bringing a hard working, devoted and dedicated attitude to the team. Since joining Burling Brown Nikita has contributed to multiple commercial projects, from playgrounds to educational buildings and sporting facilities.
Mia Gillespie
Mia Gillespie
Student
Mia Gillespie

Mia Gillespie.

Student
B Arch

Mia completed her Bachelor of Architectural Design at Griffith University in 2022 and looks forward to furthering her studies through commencing the Masters of Architecture in the near future. Through her studies she developed a passion for sustainability in design and enjoys any opportunity to put her creativity to the test. Having grown up on the Gold Coast, Mia has a keen interest in the future development of the city and wider South-East Queensland and looks forward to making a positive impact on its evolution.
Mahima Herath
Mahima Herath
Graduate
Mahima Herath

Mahima Herath.

Graduate
M Arch, B Arch

Mahima Herath graduated with a Master of Architecture from Griffith University. He is a recipient of the Humanitarian Innovation Award, a national recognition for outstanding postgraduate research in Australia. With a background in commercial and residential architecture, he holds a Bachelor of Architecture (Hons) degree from University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka and is a Chartered Architect in Sri Lanka under the Sri Lanka Institute of Architects, as well as a chartered member of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Passionate about civic architecture, he strives to create meaningful and sustainable spaces that enhance communities.
Roberta Cardoso de Souza
Roberta Cardoso de Souza
Architectural Technician
Roberta Cardoso de Souza

Roberta Cardoso de Souza.

Architectural Technician

Roberta is an Architectural Technician passionate about sustainable design, community engagement, and environmental responsibility in architecture. She values the creation of spaces that are functional, aesthetically pleasing, and positively impactful on society and the environment.   An Architect in Brazil, she studied at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, where she engaged in complex projects that addressed social, cultural, and environmental aspects, enhancing her ability to create thoughtful and context-sensitive designs. After moving to Australia, she completed a Diploma of Building Design at TAFE QLD, further strengthening her expertise in local building standards and construction practices. With skills in 3D modelling, documentation, and problem-solving, she contributes to project development with precision and attention to quality. Her commitment to accuracy and efficiency ensures that designs are practical and aligned with project goals.
Ridho Cairns
Ridho Cairns
Graduate
Ridho Cairns

Ridho Cairns.

Graduate
M Arch, B Arch

Ridho graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2019 and after spent years living and working in the international township of Auroville, India, then volunteered with the Anganwadi Project between 2023-24 in the design and construction of a preschool in rural India, before joining Burling Brown in late 2024. Evolving from his idiosyncratic experience, he continues to apply a meticulous and methodological approach towards an integral architecture focused on craft, materials, and collaboration — no matter the brief. In his work he strives to the imbue a sense of play that is expressed best by the words of Hugo Kükelhaus, that ‘life without a swing is a misunderstanding’.
Hugo Minnaar
Hugo Minnaar
Graduate
Hugo Minnaar

Hugo Minnaar.

Graduate
B Arch

Hugo has completed a Bachelor of Architectural Design at QUT. He plans on beginning a master’s degree in the near future but is taking the year off to gain full time experience in the industry.  Hugo is passionate about creating soulful architecture that is human-centered and sustainable. He has a keen interest on shaping design that speaks to perception from a conceptual lens as well as exploring ideas of phenomenology.