Why Porter Architects: Get to Know Us Better

Porter Architects is a multi-disciplinary design based studio located in the regional city of Ballarat. The practice focuses on cultural, community, residential and commercial projects providing full architectural services. Director Nathan Porter is a registered architect in the state of Victoria and is a member of the Australian Institute of Architects.

Porter Architects opened in early 2012 and has established the practice locally and regionally in Victoria. The practice is focused on developing thoughtful, contemporary and crafted buildings in sensitive heritage, community and natural contexts. This includes commercial/ public projects alongside finely crafted residential projects.

Nathan developed his comprehensive project experience at some of Australia’s premier architectural Melbourne based practices over the past 12 years. This has helped form a worldly maturity and mastery in his craft of architecture.

Porter Architects buildings encompass thoughtful detailing, attention to materiality, rigorous planning, thorough consideration of site, context and sustainable design. The result is a clear, honest, purposeful and warmly crafted building.

Porter Architects believe the creation of a building begins with a strong understanding and collaborative relationship with the client. This approach embraces the idea that the architect should be the interpreter for the client’s ideas and goals for a project.

90% Our customers have been with us for over 6 years.

100+ Our clients recommend us to colleagues.

Craft & Detail

Porter Architects team take great care with crafting and detailing a building. We are strong believers that architecture doesn’t need to be overcomplicated or costly in order to be successful.

Textures and materials are very important to how our projects come to life which need to be detailed with sophistication. The simpler the idea, provided the textures, materials, craft and detail is executed well, the more successful the building.

Experience & Professionalism

Our team has a lot of experience with a broad range of project typologies. This ranges from bus shelters to large public buildings. We have diverse experience from all phases of projects from feasibility right through to project completion. All staff members have been handpicked for their unique skillset and experience which strengthens the overall outcome. A challenge is welcomed at Porter Architects. We are interested in a challenging project and using our problem-solving skills to see a project come to life. We have a can-do attitude that wants to see the client and team win to get a positive outcome.

Although we provide a relaxed working environment, we pride ourselves on being our best as professional architects. We love being architects and producing buildings that aim to leave the community in a better state than we found it. We always maintain and uphold the professional standards no matter how small or big the project.

Planning & Foresite

A clear strategy and plan are always the most important starting points for a project. A clear brief and understanding of site/ building constraints needs to be formulated at the beginning of any project. This helps navigate our way through the process. Sometimes, if the way isn’t clear, Porter Architects can help the client set some clear goals/ strategies to see the project come to life. This can relate to (but not limited to) some challenges such as heritage, flood, fire constraints.

Nature & The Future

We are always looking for opportunities to engage nature which help inform our architecture. This maybe integrating view opportunities of the site/ surroundings, or making our own views out to a new garden courtyard where there are not views. Nature is always referenced through materiality. This might be through selecting locally sourced timbers which settle into its local environment instead of internationally sourced timbers which may re-act to our environment differently. The future is so important to us. We aim to create buildings that our children and many generations ahead can enjoy. We aim to minimise our carbon footprint through our designs and carefully consider each buildings impact on the environment. We have a professional and social responsibility to care for our planet/ communities and are constantly educating ourselves to improve.