Troppo Architects
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Architecture |
| Founded | 1980 in Darwin, Australia |
| Founder | Phil Harris, Adrian Welke |
| Headquarters | Darwin , Australia |
Area served | Australia, Africa, Asia, Pacific |
Key people | Greg MacNamara, Geoff Clark, Terry O'Toole, Phil Harris, Adrian Welke, Dan Connolly |
Number of employees | 20 |
| Website | troppo |
Troppo Architects is an architectural firm based in Australia, dedicated to advancing superior tropical architecture within the Top End region. Established in 1980 in Darwin with initial funding from a Northern Territory grant, the company began by investigating the architectural heritage of the area.
Currently, the firm maintains six offices across Australia—in Darwin, Adelaide, Fremantle, Launceston, Sydney, and Byron Bay—and has completed projects throughout Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Troppo is recognized for its minimalist and climate-adaptive designs that draw heavily on local cultural traditions and environmental context.
History
During the late 1970s, Adelaide-based architecture students Phil Harris and Adrian Welke co-authored Influences in Regional Architecture, marking Australia's inaugural exploration into non-urban architectural history.
Following their move to Darwin, Harris and Welke founded Troppo Architects in 1980. Early support came from a Northern Territory Government grant which facilitated research into the history of tropical housing. The firm's reputation grew after winning a Low Cost House Competition organized by the City of Darwin; their prototype was commended for its cost-effectiveness, energy efficiency, and versatility. Over its first ten years, Troppo broadened its scope to address architectural challenges in tropical and regional Australian environments, including projects within remote Aboriginal communities. Their portfolio covers diverse locations such as the Kimberley region, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Alice Springs, Townsville, northern Queensland, and inland New South Wales.
In 1987, the Gagudju Community at Kakadu National Park engaged Troppo to design facilities for the park. This project involved collaboration with esteemed architect Glenn Murcutt, resulting in international recognition and further prestigious commissions. The company expanded its presence nationally: Phil Harris inaugurated an Adelaide office in 1999; Adrian Welke established a Perth branch; meanwhile, Dan Connolly managed the original Darwin studio.
Since 2010, leadership has comprised partners Greg MacNamara (Darwin), Geoff Clark (Launceston), Terry O'Toole (Queensland), Phil Harris (Adelaide), Adrian Welke (Perth), and Dan Connolly (Byron Bay). Supported by a team of approximately twenty professionals, Troppo frequently collaborates with notable architects such as Danny Wong, Glenn Murcutt, Phil Tait, and Shane Thompson.
Directors
The founding directors are Phil Harris (Adelaide) and Adrian Welke (Perth). Additional directors include Jo Best (Darwin), Cary Duffield (Adelaide), Greg Norman (Sydney), Geoff Clark (Launceston), and Sue Harper (Byron Bay).
Former directors encompass Greg McNamara, Lena Yali, Richard Layton, Fiona Hogg, and Terry O'Toole.
Selected projects
| Project | Awards |
|---|---|
| Top End Hotel, Darwin, 1998 | RAIA (NT) President's Award for Recycled Buildings, 1999 |
| PeeWee's Restaurant, 1997 | RAIA (NT) Tracy Memorial Award, 1998; RAIA Award for Commercial Buildings, 1998 |
| Bowali Visitor Centre, Kakadu National Park, 1993 (with Glenn Murcutt + Assoc) | RAIA Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Architecture, 1994; RAIA (NT) People's Choice Award, 1994; RAIA (NT) Tracy Memorial Award, 1994; AIA Northern Territory Enduring Architecture Award, 2018; Metal Building Award, 1994-5 (National Award by BHP/Metal Building Products Manuf. Assoc.) |
| Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, 2000 (with Bligh Voller Nield) | RAIA Robin Boyd Award, 2002; RAIA (Qld) Robin Dods Award, 2002; RAIA (Qld) Sustainable Architecture Award, 2002 |
| Thiel House, Darwin, 1998 | RAIA (NT) Tracy Memorial Award, 1999; RAIA (NT) Burnett Award, 1999; Commendation, RAIA Robin Boyd Award, 1999 |
| Rozak House, Darwin, 2000–2001 | RAIA Sustainable Architecture Award, 2002; RAIA (NT) Sustainable Architecture Award, 2002; RAIA (NT) Burnett Award, 2002; Commendation, RAIA Robin Boyd Award, 2002; MBA National Environment and Energy Award, 2003 |
| St Mary's Primary School, Darwin, 2010 – Hall, Library, Early Learning Centre & Courtyard | AIA (NT) Colorbond Steel Award, 2011; AIA (NT) Tracy Award, 2011; AIA (NT) Urban Design Award, 2011 |
Awards
Troppo holds a distinguished reputation both within Australia and internationally, ranking as the third most decorated architectural firm in the country.
Key accolades include:
- 1992 RAIA (NT) Tracy Memorial Award recognizing work in Kakadu alongside ANPWS
- 1992 RAIA Special Jury Award for architectural excellence in Northern Australia
- 1993 RAIA Robin Boyd Award for the Medium Density Precinct 2 project at Larrakeyah, commissioned by Defence Housing Australia
- 2010 Global Award for Sustainable Architecture presented in Paris
- 2014 Australian Institute of Architects Gold Medal bestowed upon founders Adrian Welke and Phil Harris
- Overview of AIA/RAIA honors
| Institute | Award | |
|---|---|---|
| AIA/RAIA(NT) | Architectural Innovation Award | 1992 (two occasions) |
| Burnett Award | 1995, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2011 | |
| Colorbond Steel Award | 2011 | |
| Multiple Housing Award | 2009 | |
| People's Choice Award | 1994, 1995, 2009 | |
| President's Award for Recycled Buildings | 1992, 1994, 1999 | |
| Public Architecture Award | 2008 | |
| Sustainable Architecture Award | 2002 | |
| Tracy Memorial Award | 1992–94, 1998–99, 2011 | |
| Urban Design Award | 2008, 2011 | |
| AIA/RAIA (Nth Qld) | NQ House of the Year | 2010 |
| AIA/RAIA (Qld) | Colorbond Award | 2001 |
| AIA/RAIA (SA) | Colorbond Steel Award | 2010 |
| John Chappel Award | 2009 | |
| National AIA/RAIA | Award for Commercial Buildings | 1998 |
| Sir Zelman Cowen Award for Public Buildings | 1994 | |
| Special Jury Award | 1992 | |
| Sustainable Architecture Award | 2002 |
- Summary of awards outside AIA/RAIA
- Winner of the Adelaide Affordable Ecohousing Competition in 2004
- Champion of the Arafura Medium Density Residential Design Competition in 2006
- Recipient of the Global Award for Sustainable Architecture in Paris, 2010
- HIA (SA) Custom Built Homes Award along with MBA Building Excellence and National Environment and Energy Awards in 2003
- Metal Building National Award for the Bowali Visitor Centre located within Kakadu National Park
- Grand Winner and Excellence Awards at the Northern Rivers Urban Design Awards in 2008
- Victorious entry in the Tel Aviv University Visitor Centre & School of Environmental Studies International Competition in 2002
- Winner of Thuringowa City Council Climate Responsive Design Competition in 2003
- Timber Design Awards SA recipient in 2010
- Tropical House Design Competition winner held in Darwin during June 1990
Sources
- Goad, Philip (1999/2005) Troppo Architects, Pesaro Publishing.