Lead diverse projects. Take ownership. Grow with Trella.
Location: Civic, ACT
Salary: $85,000–$110,000 F.T.E +12% Super (depending on experience)
Work type: Full-time preferred, flexible arrangements considered
About Trella
Trella Architecture & Interiors is a Canberra-based design studio delivering integrated architecture and interiors across housing, workplace, retail, hospitality, education, recreation, community and commercial sectors. We believe great projects come from balancing creative thinking with technical rigour, and from designing with purpose, place and people in mind.
Our team of around 8–10 people works across a deliberately diverse portfolio. From award-winning housing and adaptive reuse projects to workplace, hospitality, retail and community environments, we enjoy the variety, challenge and resilience that comes from working across multiple sectors and project scales. Recent project successes include the North Wright Compact Housing project, winner of the ACT Multi-Residential Award, the inaugural Missing Middle Prize and the Derrick Wrigley Sustainable Architecture Award.
People enjoy working at Trella because of the balance we offer: the autonomy and flexibility of a smaller studio, combined with the systems, mentoring and quality processes often associated with much larger practices. Many of our team have been with us for five years or more, reflecting the collaborative culture we've built together.
The Opportunity
We're looking for a Project Architect to join our team and take a leading role in the delivery of diverse and meaningful projects across Canberra and the surrounding region.
This role will suit an experienced architect who enjoys taking ownership of projects, coordinating teams, solving technical challenges and delivering great outcomes for clients. You'll be trusted to lead projects with support from the Directors and senior team, while also contributing to the collaborative design culture that defines our studio.
Projects you would be leading typically range from approximately $3 million to $20 million and span a broad mix of sectors including:
- Missing middle, medium-density housing
- Workplace and commercial and higher education projects
- Retail and hospitality environments
- Recreation and community facilities
- Adaptive reuse, heritage and new build projects
- Custom residential projects
What You'll Be Doing
- Lead projects from design development through to delivery
- Coordinate consultants, stakeholders and project teams
- Prepare and oversee high-quality Revit documentation
- Manage planning, approvals and project submissions
- Maintain project programmes, budgets and deliverables
- Maintain strong client relationships
- Mentor and support graduate and junior staff
- Undertake site visits and construction phase involvement as required
- Contribute to design discussions and project reviews across the studio
What We're Looking For
- Registered Architect highly regarded
- Applicants working towards immediate registration are encouraged to apply
- Approximately 5–8+ years professional experience
- Demonstrated experience leading projects and coordinating consultants
- Strong technical knowledge and understanding of buildability
- Strong Revit capability
- Experience preparing and coordinating documentation packages
- Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities
- A collaborative and proactive approach
Experience delivering projects through planning approvals and construction documentation in Australia is Essential
Why Join Trella?
- Diverse projects across multiple sectors and scales
- Flexible working arrangements built on trust
- Hybrid work options
- Direct access to Directors and mentoring
- Modern studio in the heart of Civic
- Paid AIA membership
- End-of-trip facilities
- Professional development opportunities
- Collaborative, supportive and low-ego studio culture
- Genuine project ownership and responsibility
Most importantly, you'll join a team that values curiosity, collaboration, initiative and good design. We believe people do their best work when they're trusted, supported and given opportunities to grow.
You'll Thrive at Trella If You
- Enjoy working across different project types, sectors and scales
- Like balancing design thinking with practical project delivery
- Have a strong interest in technical design and buildability
- Take ownership of your work and enjoy solving problems
- Value collaboration and sharing knowledge with others
- Enjoy mentoring and supporting less experienced team members
- Genuinely enjoy designing spaces so they work for people
- Appreciate autonomy while being part of a close-knit team
How to Apply
Please submit your CV, portfolio and a short cover letter outlining your interest in the role.
If you're looking for an opportunity to lead projects, influence practice-wide systems and help shape the future of digital delivery within a growing Canberra practice, we'd love to hear from you.
Applicants must have Australian work rights and demonstrated experience delivering projects within the Australian design and construction industry.