Creating Responsible, Enduring, and Memorable architecture

KIRK is an architectural firm committed to developing and establishing new benchmarks for sustainability and sustainable design in the buildings the practice creates. An example of this is the Advanced Engineering Building that set entirely new benchmarks for sustainability in the sub-tropical and temperate climates. It is this dedication to buildings that respond to and embrace the opportunities the climate offers is what sets the work of the practice apart.

View our work in sustainable architecture.

KIRK brings over twenty years' experience in the design and delivery of Mass Engineered Timber (MET) buildings.

Our studio is the industry leader in sustainable design, focused on the development and delivery of low carbon buildings through timber-based design. The timber construction methodology, adopted by our practice, has been proven to sequester carbon using renewable timber feed stock to significantly reduce construction time, reduce building waste, and support safer and quieter construction sites. This method embraces the use of prefabricated MET systems, which can be optimised during the design process to minimise waste and coordinate at a high level of accuracy components of the mass timber structure to ensure precise assembly.

KIRK has delivered:

• The first timber structure delivered in Australia for over 60 years for the AEB (Advanced Engineering Building) at UQ (University of Queensland) in 2012.
• The first timber diagrid structure for the Mon Repos Turtle Centre in 2020.
• Australia's first multi-storey commercial building with a full MET (Mass Engineered Timber) Structure utilising CLT and GLT wholly sourced from Australia - The NIOA Timber Tower completed in 2021 was recently awarded the Named Award for Commercial Architecture the Queensland Chapter of the Australian Institute of Architects (AIA) State awards in 2022.
• Queensland’s first Mass Engineered Timber house using exclusively Cross Laminated timber (CLT) as the primary structure in 2022.
• The first timber university project in Queensland, for the Stage 2 for the University of Sunshine Coasts Moreton Campus, to be completed in 2023.

At the forefront of architectural design,  our studio embeds CFD and micro-climate analysis into our design process. We utilise high-performance building modelling to continually create successful and sustainable buildings for the future. We are particularly proud of  The Arc, NTU, Singapore being awarded Green Mark Platinum status.

KIRK studio, Brisbane Architects, has been involved in master planning in Brisbane Australia, Malaysia and Singapore.

Richard Kirk has established the practice as a leader in designing buildings of cultural significance on sensitive and important sites, with the majority of its commissions awarded through design competitions.

Our Australian Architectural Team is experienced in providing a range of services for interior, commercial and institutional projects. The Brisbane architecture practice is in a unique position to deliver quality designs and cost-effective results that provide clients with unique, resilient, sustainable and well-crafted interiors.

The KIRK studio Team specialises in providing world class performance spaces, interdisciplinary studios, learning and teaching spaces within educational design.

Our studio showcases expertise in residential architecture ranging from home design to larger, more complex multi-dwelling apartment complexes, urban regeneration and master planning.

View our residential architecture portfolio here.