PRACTICE PROFILE
Rebecca Naughtin Architect is a design-led practice focused on thoughtful, low-energy architecture. Much of our work starts with what is already there, repairing, reworking and carefully adding where needed. We aim to create buildings that are durable, comfortable and easy to live in, with sustainability embedded as a matter of course rather than an after thought.
We work closely with our clients from the very beginning. Our process is collaborative and hands-on, taking the time to understand how people live or work, what matters most to them, and how a project needs to function day to day. Ideas are tested and refined through sketching, modelling and research before being carefully resolved into clear, buildable docu-mentation.
We design with a strong awareness of the realities of construction. Budget, approvals, timeframes and site constraints are considered early, allowing projects to move forward with clarity and confidence. Each project is led directly by the practice, with trusted consultants brought in when needed to keep decision-making straightforward and the process well coordinated.
Our work is primarily residential, from new homes to heritage renovations and additions, with experience across commercial, education and hospitality projects. We take a conception-to-completion approach, supporting our clients through the entire journey and building long-term relationships along the way.
RESIDENTIAL NEW BUILDS
Designing well considered, low energy homes sits at the core of our practice. Our experience spans a range of scales, from prefabricated holiday cabins to suburban townhouse developments, with a consistent focus on quality over size. We value efficient planning, strong passive performance, durable materials and homes that support ageing in place and a meaningful connection to outdoor space.
We work closely with clients from initial consultation through to handover. Whether you are seeking full architectural services or documentation support for an owner-builder project, we tailor our involvement to suit the way you want to build.
RENOVATION & EXTENSIONS
Renovations and extensions form a significant part of our work. Projects range from modest upgrades that improve comfort and performance, through to major alterations and additions where only the original front rooms are retained.
Our approach prioritises the existing fabric of the home, responds carefully to site constraints, and seeks to protect garden space wherever possible. These projects benefit from close collaboration with builders and trades through contract administration to resolve complexity and achieve considered outcomes.
URBAN DESIGN & PLANNING
We design public spaces, landscapes and urban projects that support community use and biodiversity. Our approach is collaborative, working alongside developers, planning consultants and local councils from early master planning through to town planning and delivery.
A strong understanding of state and local planning controls, combined with practical construction knowledge, allows us to guide projects through complex regulatory environments with clarity and confidence.
COMMERCIA, CULTURAL & EDUCATIONAL
Our commercial and cultural work includes ecotourism developments, offices, and retail and hospitality fit-outs. Projects are shaped by context, operational needs and brand identity, with a focus on creating clear, engaging and well performing spaces that give back to the community.
We bring the same rigour and attention to detail to commercial projects as we do to residential work, ensuring outcomes are both functional and enduring.
HERITAGE RENOVATIONS
Working with heritage buildings requires care, restraint and a clear understanding of what should be retained and what can evolve. We see heritage renovation as an opportunity to protect the character of established suburbs while making homes more comfortable, functional and sustainable.
With extensive experience in Heritage Overlay areas including Fitzroy, Clifton Hill, Melbourne, South Melbourne and Richmond, we are well versed in town planning processes and approvals. We collaborate closely with leading heritage consultants, and our work has been featured on the ABC’s Restoration Australia.
INTERIOR DESIGN
Interior design is integral to our architectural work. We design spaces that range from calm and restrained to light filled and layered, always ensuring the interior and exterior speak to one another through materiality, form, texture and colour.
Attention to detail is central to this work. We value personal touches and thoughtful choices, aiming to create interiors that feel imeless, robust and deeply connected to the way our clients live.
We maintain close relationships with industry professionals and product manufacturers, ensuring we are selecting the most suitable materials and products for each project.
OUR APPROACH
- Client Focused
- Collaborative
- Iterative
- Detailed
OUR VALUES
- Sustainability
- Simplicity
- Contextual
- Durability
COUNTRY
Rebecca Naughtin Architect services all of Victoria, with projects in Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, Bass Coast & Phillip Island.
We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
REBECCA’S PROFILE
Rebecca Naughtin is Director of Rebecca Naughtin Architect, bringing over 20 years of experience to her award-winning practice. Re nowned for her leadership in architectural education, mentoring, accreditation, and professional standards, she serves as Co-Convenor at the ARBV, APE Assessor, and contributes nationally through the AACA.
A former academic at RMIT, Monash, and the University of Melbourne, Rebecca’s research informed practice spans eco-tourism to bespoke residential projects. Guided by sustainability and design excellence, she has received multiple awards, including Fellowship and the Emerging Architect Award the Australian Institute of Architects. Rebecca also serves on the Architects Tribunal and advocates for intelligent, responsible, and human-centred architecture at every scale.
ANDREW’S PROFILE
Andrew MacKinnon has worked alongside Rebecca since his early days as her student at the University of Melbourne, gaining experience as a graduate and progressing to registration as an architect. Andrew leads projects with Rebecca, working within a collaborative studio environment shaped by shared values and complementary strengths. Their approach combines careful research with practical delivery, ensuring each project is thoughtful, buildable and grounded in place.
He is driven to design buildings that challenge convention and reduce the industry’s environmental impact. Environmental repair, sustainable urbanisation, affordable housing, urban acupuncture, and co-creation for social housing and public space inform his work. These themes were explored in his independent thesis, published in Inflection Journal Volume 9, and align with the DADO curatorial programme at
the Robin Boyd Foundation, where he volunteers.
CAROL FORREST
“Professionalism and honesty and competence an amazing knowledgeable extraordinary architect. Listening and gearing our needs first and totally working with us to achieve our goals. A real sense of a truly workable relationship to complete a new design in a small space within our budget.”
RICHARD MACEY
I was struggling with my building design until I found Rebecca, she took control of the situation from start to finish and I couldn’t recommend her highly enough for anyone looking for an architect in Victoria.”
TERI KONSTANTINOU
“I cannot recommend Rebecca, Andrew and her team enough. Professional; incredibly talented and above all else a real pleasure to work with. You won’t be disappointed.”
KATE KENT
“The contract management was seamless to our eyes and we’ve had the least stressful building experience we could have hoped for. In no small part due to RNA’s cool, calm, and collected approach to everything.
We can’t thank the RNA team enough for gently guiding us from start to finish.”
COUNTRY
Rebecca Naughtin Architect services all of Victoria, with projects in Melbourne, Mornington Peninsula, Gippsland, Bass Coast & Phillip Island.
We would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung and Bunurong peoples of the Kulin Nation, the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we meet and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.