Technē Architecture and Interior Design works across residential, commercial, hospitality, and retail projects, creating bespoke spaces that enrich the human experience.

Technē’s work is informed by elements of art, engineering, environment, sustainability, and economics to form empathetic and cohesive spaces. The studio strives to achieve a rare duality between creative form and commercial viability.

Founded in 2002, Technē’s layered and textured designs have contributed to Australia’s modern design aesthetic, elevating its architectural expression onto the international design stage.

“Our studio is emerging as a leading design practice, with a recognisable individuality and voice.” – Nick Travers, director

The team works collaboratively under the guidance of co-founders and directors, Nick Travers and Justin Northrop whose open nature and delivery of commercial outcomes inspires every design.

At the core of Technē’s approach is innovative thinking that gives vibrancy and form to their designs. Technē is unique in its equally balanced and fully integrated architecture and interior design process, with each discipline informing the other for the duration of a project.

The studio’s poetic ambitions are channelled through the directors’ practical sensibilities into authentic and honest outcomes, crafting architecture you can feel.

“It is our challenge to create thoughtful, sustainable spaces that will stand the test of time.” – Justin Northrop, director

A Technē project is robust, playful and hardworking, with all design elements contributory and purposeful. The studio creates moments reflective of their time with an enduring legacy for the future.

Nick Travers
B. Arch. St., B. Arch (Hons)

Nick Travers is driven to innovate and meet challenges head on. Nick thrives on the complexity of the architect’s role, and is stimulated by a thorough discourse around the philosophical and practical elements of his discipline. Through sharp examination he decisively pushes Technē to reach the highest possible level for his team, partners, and clients.

In his role as Technē director, Nick knows the best design occurs when ideas are challenged and shaped collaboratively. Over Technē’s 15 years, this belief has formed the cornerstone of the studio’s culture and is evident in each project.

The emotional content and high technical ability of great musicians, and the experience of live theatre provide inspiration for Nick’s work. The disruptive nature of technology and the beauty of flowing form making that is found in automotive design are a personal passion. This convergence of the real and digital world fascinates him as the major agents of current technological advancement.

Nick gained experience from Melbourne to Berlin before founding Technē with Justin. His starting point for projects is free hand drawings that give form to his thoughts, functioning as a source of inspiration. This unguarded approach is balanced with a pragmatic attention to detail that promises each moment in a project timeline is handled with dedication.

“Architects have to dream, we have to search for our Atlantises, to be explorers, adventurous, and yet to build responsibly and well.” – Renzo Piano

Justin Northrop
B.PD, B.Arch. (Hons)

Justin Northrop believes architecture must have a sense of equilibrium – compositional and proportional, budgetary and functional balance. It is his philosophy that every space be well designed, fit for purpose, and enjoyed by the people who inhabit it.

After establishing his career in Melbourne, Justin founded the Technē studio with Nick Travers in 2002. As director, Justin guides the team to approach design challenges from all angles. Justin’s diplomatic mind and quiet determination are complemented by his collaborative approach and the shared sense of achievement that comes from a finished project.

An initial aspiration to be a chef evolved into a motivation to create the physical forms where people enjoy each other’s company. Justin’s connection to hospitality has driven the studio’s achievements in this sphere.

A builder and a maker, Justin has an innate sense of how things go together. Growing up, he spent time on building sites with his father, a structural engineer, who taught Justin the innate logic of materials. His artistic sensibility grew from hours spent drawing with his grandfather, a naturalist and a painter.

Justin’s early experiences set the foundation of his desire to work with his hands and design tangible experiences that make people happy. These connections resonate throughout his practice today.

Steve McKeag
B.Arch.

Steve recently became a fellow Director of Technē and he now joins Justin and Nick in the broad leadership of the practice with a particular focus on the management of People and Culture.

After graduating with a degree in Architecture from Deakin University in Geelong, he spent several years working in London and Melbourne for a variety of large and small architectural practices where he developed his skills in project delivery and leadership across various project types.

In 2007, he joined Technē as a senior architect and quickly formed an affinity with Justin and Nick and learnt the Technē way, through being instrumental in projects like, The Richmond Club Hotel, The Terminus Hotel, Porsche Centre Brighton and numerous other bespoke residential and commercial projects

To meet and exceed the expectations of our clients, Steve highly values the power of aligned purpose, coordinated collaboration and maintains a strong focus on team communication to create the right design solutions in response to the challenges and opportunities that each project presents.

Outside of the office, Steve has a young family, loves mountain bike riding and snow skiing, travels widely and prides himself on being a low n’ slow pit master.