We are a Melbourne-based architecture and interior design practice focussed on the delivery of bespoke residential and heritage projects.

Core to our practice is an underpinning desire to elegantly, thoughtfully and respectfully integrate the old with the new, creating graceful and rigorously detailed architectures that will stand the test of time and provide highly functional and yet gently serene backdrops for life, work and play.

We seek to keep our portfolio of active projects focused, to allow our intentionally small team space to be closely involved with all elements of a project’s design, documentation and delivery. This allows us to achieve the practice’s goal of consistently achieving highly detailed, considered and crafted design.

While we are a small team, our practice draws on decades of collective experience working for major established practices like Lovell Chen and Bates Smart, with experience delivering residential, commercial and institutional projects across a range of scales, with a key focus on new architecture within both local heritage overlays and places listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.

Rowan Brown

Architect / Partner ARBV AIA

B.PD (Architecture) UniMelb
M.Arch (UniMelb)

Rowan is a founding partner in Lai Cheong Brown and brings more than 20 years of experience in architecture and heritage to the design, development and delivery of projects across a range of types and scales.

While working with Lovell Chen, Rowan had experience as a project architect on the delivery of major public heritage, conservation and adaptation projects, along with bespoke residential projects often within a heritage context. This experience has equipped Rowan with a broad skillset across design and heritage that has underpinned Lai Cheong Brown’s work to date, with the thoughtful and detail focused approach supporting the delivery of multi-million-dollar houses and heritage adaptation projects along with technically complex remote off-grid sites.

Rowan contributes to the practice of architecture more broadly as an examiner for the Architects Registration Board of Victoria and the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia. He is also involved with the teaching of architecture at Melbourne University where he acts as an examiner and panelist for Architectural Practice. Rowan is also on the Accreditation Standing Panel for the Architects Accreditation Council of Australia and is on the Heritage Committee of the Australian Institute of Architects (Victorian Chapter).

Christina Lai Cheong

Architect / Partner ARBV AIA

B.PD (Architecture) UniMelb
B.Arch(Hons) UniMelb

Christina is a founding partner of Lai Cheong Brown, with expertise in creating and delivering highly considered and timeless designs which respond to our clients’ functional and aesthetic briefs, focusing on the seamless integration of architecture, services and interior design. Working closely with clients, Christina is passionate about creating thoughtful and inviting environments that improve the user experience.

With over 20 years experience in architecture and design, Christina has worked on a wide range of major Australian and international projects, with high profile design focused practices Bates Smart, SJB and John McAslan+Partners (London). She has delivered projects from bespoke homes to large scale multi-unit residential, commercial and hospitality schemes. Christina’s involvement has been in all stages of project development, including feasibility studies, detailed design, construction documentation and contract administration.

Kate Wardlaw

Lead Interior Designer

B.Arts (Fashion) RMIT
Dip. Interior Decoration & Design RMIT

Kate is an accomplished and highly skilled interior designer with a meticulous and detailed approach to design. She is skilled in developing creative design concepts and delivering outcomes that accommodate her client’s requirements.

Kate’s work in fashion has given her a strong sensibility for design composition, colour and materiality, which she is able to leverage into sartorial design outcomes often crafting a unique mise-en-scéne.

Prior to joining Lai Cheong Brown, Kate worked for over ten years with the multi-award winning and design focused practice Bates Smart. Through her career Kate has gained experience in a wide range of residential, high-end hospitality, commercial and health projects.

Awards | Publications

Commendation WAN (World Architecture News) Awards

I Houses III (Book)

Habitus Living
Sanctuary Magazine
Dwell Magazine
Domain
ArchDaily
CO-architecture
Good Food Guide
Designboom