Designers of Brisbane
Description
Designers of Brisbane 2026
CO-architecture returns to Brisbane with Designers of Brisbane, an intimate, after-hours event bringing together the city’s leading architects and designers for a night of honest conversation and connection.
This is not a highlight reel.
Across a curated series of short, fast-paced talks, some of Brisbane’s most respected designers will share the stories behind the work, the moments that challenged them, the projects that didn’t go to plan, and the lessons that reshaped how they practice today.
No polished case studies. No perfect outcomes.
Just real insights from those building careers at the forefront of design.
Each speaker will take the stage to unpack one defining moment, offering a rare look into the realities of running a practice, navigating clients, and making critical decisions under pressure.
Following the talks, the evening opens into a relaxed, design-led networking experience, giving attendees the opportunity to connect directly with speakers and peers across the industry.
Speakers
Melody Chen / Director at Atelier Chen Hung
Alexandra Buchanan / Director at Alexandra Buchanan
James Foley / Director at FOLAR
Chris Kolka / Director at Base Architecture
Shawn Godwin / Director at Base Architecture
Event Details
Date: April 23rd, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Event Type: In-Person Only
Location: 27 James St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Evening Format
6:00pm - Arrival and Drinks
6:30pm - Welcome
6:40pm - Speaker Sessions, short-form talks
7:40pm - Audience Q and A
8:00pm - Networking and Drinks
What to Expect
Curated short-form talks (no long panels)
Honest, behind-the-scenes insights from leading designers
A highly engaged audience of architects and creatives
Drinks and a relaxed, design-focused atmosphere
Opportunities to connect directly with speakers and peers
Supported By RJ Living & Brickworks
About CO-architecture
CO-architecture is Australia’s leading online marketplace and community platform, connecting homeowners and businesses with top architecture and design professionals. Our platform simplifies the process of finding, hiring, and collaborating with industry professionals — all in one place.
Brisbane 2024 by CO-architecture
Lineup
Alexandra Buchanan / Director at Alexandra Buchanan
Since founding the practice in 2011, Alexandra’s work has remained grounded in narrative, context and a long-term, ethical approach to architecture. Registered in both Australia and the United Kingdom, Alexandra’s experience spans projects large and small, including public buildings, mixed-use developments, master planning, hospitality and bespoke residential architecture. She has led the practice’s growth across Melbourne and Brisbane, guiding a multidisciplinary studio of architects, interior designers and Passive House-accredited designers. Alexandra’s approach begins with listening. Projects emerge from careful observation and a deep understanding of clients, sites and place. Her design process favours atmosphere, proportion and material expression over overt gesture, resulting in work that is quiet yet expressive, and often revealed through moments of discovery. Sustainability, passive design principles and responsible material use are integral to Alexandra’s thinking, supporting architecture that is both emotionally and environmentally intelligent and remains relevant over time. Her projects are informed by thorough research and a people-first approach, creating intuitive, responsive spaces. Beyond the studio, Alexandra contributes to the broader architectural community as a mentor and juror, and is an active member of the Australian Institute of Architects in Queensland. She advocates for accessible, research-led design and is committed to thoughtful leadership and ongoing education.
James Foley / Director at FOLAR
James founded FOLAR in 2020 with a clear vision for a more refined and enduring approach to residential architecture. His ambition was to create a studio capable of delivering pure, elegant work while maintaining close involvement and genuine connection with clients throughout the process. With more than two decades of experience in residential architecture, James brings a steady, intuitive understanding of how people live and what they need from their homes. Now with a growing practice of 6, he remains the primary point of contact across every project, guiding clients with clarity and calm assurance from early concept through to construction. Known for his relaxed and collaborative nature, James balances strong design leadership with a careful attention to detail. Within the studio, he fosters a culture that encourages creativity, trust, and shared responsibility, empowering the team to do their best work. Outside the studio, James values time with his young family, follows AFL closely, and maintains a strong interest in health and wellbeing.
Melody Chen / Director Atelier Chen Hung
Melody Chen is co-founder of the Brisbane practice Atelier Chen Hung. Her work explores site-specific and conceptually driven approaches across a range of project scales and typologies, with an emphasis on the relationship between landscape, culture and lived experience. The practice has received national and international recognition, including selection in Wallpaper magazine’s Architects Directory of the world’s top 20 emerging practices. Mapleton House has received multiple national and international awards, including a commendation in the UK Architectural Review’s AR House Awards and the 2025 Robin Dods Award for Residential Architecture from the Australian Institute of Architects. Melody also contributes to architectural education as a tutor, guest critic and lecturer at the University of Queensland and Bond University, and regularly participates in award juries, lectures and public talks. Born in Taiwan, she brings a cross-cultural perspective that continues to inform her work.
Chris Kolka / Director at Base Architecture
Growing up, Chris always enjoyed creating things and thought that making furniture would be his calling but architecture caught his attention and he never looked back. Now with more than a decade of experience in the industry, the team at Base admires Chris for his unwavering ability to always remain calm and composed and to be able to see things from every angle or perspective. Chris believes architecture is about understanding how design, detail and construction can create spaces that are enjoyable to occupy. This, along with the technical aspects of the job keep things interesting on a daily basis and he values making architecture attainable for everyone. Chris’s experience spans everything from master planning projects to luxury houses, renovations and complex multi-residential buildings. As Associate and Architect at Base, he is routinely involved in all aspects of architectural design and management of the team to ensure their work enriches not only the lives of the occupants, but the city around them. Fortunate enough to have seen some of the world’s finest architecture, Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia in Barcelona is a favourite with its mixture of architecture and engineering, incredible history, and the dedication of people to devote themselves to something that they’ll never see finished. Outside of architecture, Chris still has a keen interest in creating furniture and loves a challenge, whether it’s a triathlon, charity bush walk or an office bake off.
Shawn Godwin / Director at Base Architecture
Shawn founded Base to reflect his philosophy both of design and culture. It’s his focus every day to build a team of professionals who put client relationships first, are driven to problem solve and who support one another for the greater good of the work. But above all, the community culture at Base is paramount and is embedded in to every corner of the workplace. Whilst Shawn says he is continually surprised and grateful to the team who work tirelessly to deliver, his team admires him for his passion for great architecture, his inclusive and adaptable nature, his energy and positivity and his fearless and focused management style. Architecture was always on the cards for Shawn; he grew up drawing, sketching and making anything with his hands. His grandmother was passionate about painting, which led him down the creative pathway. With a desire for a life of golf, Shawn soon realised it wouldn’t lead to a career, so an engineering degree coupled with a lot of building and laboring paved the way for a career in architecture. With more than 25 years experience in architecture, Shawn has been involved in many high profile and memorable commercial and residential Queensland projects that have won numerous industry awards. Shawn has sunk his teeth into specialist areas including health, hospitality, commercial, high-end homes, interiors and retail. His years of experience extend from concept development to community consultation and everything in between. Residential architecture is Shawn’s true passion. From all of the iconic buildings around the world, Barcelona had his head spinning and Palm Springs left him with goosebumps. He sees architecture as a means to express oneself and tells people not to be afraid of seeking it out as it really can change lives. Shawn’s drive to create meaningful, intelligent design has seen Base grow and grow since it’s inception in 2004. This is his greatest pride. Whilst a day at the office is as enjoyable as time away, he is also mad about playing AFL, is a die-hard golfer, amateur tri-athlete, snowboarder, mountain biker, surfer… or anything that will get the next adrenalin rush.
Tickets for good, not greed Humanitix dedicates 100% of profits from booking fees to charity
