R* MAKE SPACE FOR YOU
REFRESH*DESIGN [R*] is an award-winning Brisbane based architectural design studio committed to realising finely crafted contemporary architecture responsive to brief and context. We have completed a diverse range of projects including houses and renovations, townhouses and apartments, commercial and hospitality projects.
The R* team is inspired by how architecture can shape a better society by enhancing the human experience. Our mission is to use design as a tool to surpass our client’s aspiration whilst at the same time balancing their intentions to positively influence the environment.
Our work has a strong focus on sustainability, underlined by its capacity to endure. It is contextual, adaptable, harmonious and well considered in the use of space, light, material and technology. Striving for the most meaningful and sustainable solutions, from concept to delivery, in every phase we continue to improve and refine the design until the project is complete.
Our collaborative approach revolves around input from all stakeholders involved, our clients, collaborators and craftsmen. With extensive experience in urban infill developments, the R* team thrives in working on complex challenges. Difficult sites or planning controls motivate us to find alternative solutions to achieve better outcomes, and in doing so to question the conventional.
European and Australian experience as architects and developers has given us an advantage to appreciate the fundamental importance of a project’s economic viability.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
TEAM
ERHARD RATHMAYR
M. ARCH.
Erhard Rathmayr graduated with a Masters in Architecture from TU Graz, Austria. His journey led him to complete his thesis in Mexico researching urbanist theories and the chaos theory in conjunction with favelas at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Erhard co-founded the multi award winning Austrian architectural studio, Innocad, whilst winning several academic awards. Erhard has been excelling in architecture in the Australian landscape since 2004 and in 2011 co-established R* together with his partner Monika. Erhard has served as juror on the AIA national architecture awards program and is a member of the Queensland Government Design Excellence Panel as well as the Brisbane City Council Independent Advisory Panel.
Erhard is registered with the Board of Architects in Queensland.
MONIKA OBRIST
M. ARCH.
Monika graduated with a Masters in Architecture from TU Graz, Austria. She studied architectural influences of Spain at Polytechnic University of Catalonia in Barcelona and Mexico at Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. After that, Monika worked in architecture and visual communications, perfecting her skills as a designer, while working for other design studios in Austria as well as Australia. In 2010 she established R* with the inspiration to combine European design and the diversity of the Australian environment and climate.
LLEWELLYN GRIGGS
M.ARCH.
Llewellyn is a Registered Architect in Queensland graduating from Griffith University in 2016 with a Master of Architecture. Llewellyn has background in small practice and residential design. He enjoys working across all stages of architectural projects from concept to construction and believes in simple, understated and unassuming ideas. To accompany his work in architectural practice, Llewellyn has on-goingly held teaching positions at Griffith University and published research on North Queensland’s interwar civic architecture in the Fabrications journal.
In 2023 Llewellyn was awarded the Queensland EmAGN award for his contribution as project architect on Habitat on Juers, a housing scheme that sets the calibre for design within the missing middle typology.
JOEL BURROWS
B.ARCH.
Joel is an architectural student, having achieved his Bachelor of Architecture in 2022 and currently pursuing his Masters degree. He is passionate about how spaces can be crafted to connect with the landscape and context of their sites. Stemming from a love of coastal environments, Joel is interested in designs that creatively manage the opportunities and challenges of subtropical climates.