We are Open
We’re an energetic team of architects and designers who love what we do and take pride in delivering on brief, on budget and on time.
“Their willingness to be responsive and respectful to our ideas was greatly appreciated.”
Kym Amor - Principal, Foxwell State Secondary College
Open Architecture Studio is a versatile architecture and design practice based in Brisbane. Director Michael Bailey founded Open after working in two of Australia’s most renowned design practices - Donovan Hill and COX. Having delivered projects including the Maritime Museum of China and the Sir Samuel Griffith Centre at Griffith University, Michael is highly skilled in leading teams on large and complex design challenges.
In line with our name, our studio has a culture of ‘openness’. We are approachable, receptive, curious and inventive. We value building strong relationships with our clients and take pride in delivering on every aspect of the brief. We know that time and commercial parameters are as important as function and aesthetics.
Always conscious of our impact, we create spaces and places that are beautiful to look at and cost-effective to build, run and maintain.
Meet our team
Michael Bailey
Founding Director & Project Architect
The Founder and Creative Director of the practice, Michael has 20 years of experience working on public, residential and commercial buildings. Before founding Open Architecture Studio, Michael built his career within two of Australia's most renowned design practices, first at Donovan Hill and then at COX Architecture, where he reached Associate level. Michael combines a keen design sensibility with a strong technical background. A good communicator, he has a focus on design that supports connected, healthy and active communities. He is currently researching the nexus between architecture and emotional well-being in educational environments.
Mark Burrowes
Director - Design & Delivery
Mark is a passionate and experienced architect who strongly values the important contribution that quality built-form design outcomes can make to our communities and urban realm. Mark’s rich experience across almost 30 years of architectural practice includes leadership roles in Australia’s top national practices Cox Architecture and most recently, Architectus, as Principal in the Brisbane Studio. Mark has significant design and delivery experience on a wide range of seminal Queensland projects including the Goodwill Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge, the Thuringowa Riverway Arts Centre and Swimming Lagoons, Townsville, and has undertaken a wide range of project-types working for both commercial and government clients throughout Queensland. Joining Open Architecture Studio as Director – Design + Delivery in mid-2023, Mark brings his experience and strong interest in contributing to our core sectors of Community, Sports and Education.
Dani Martin
Director of Projects and Growth
With over 20 years of experience in designing and delivering educational architecture for both private and government clients across Queensland and Western Australia, Dani has honed a deep expertise in the field. Dani’s leadership has been recognised by her appointment as a fellow of the Australian Institute of Architects, and being awarded Life Membership of Learning Environments Australasia (LEA). Her commitment to positively impacting learning environments is evidenced by her Directorship with LEA and leadership of The Mayfield Project - an international collaborative research program for young professionals in education. Dani is also passionate about building strong, engaging relationships through extensive stakeholder collaboration, ensuring that the outcomes are not only inspirational but also transformative.
Chapman Leijenaar
Senior Project Architect
Chapman has over two decades of professional expertise, encompassing corporate, commercial, residential, educational, sports-leisure and hospitality, as well as luxury yacht design. With broad experience gained at Senior and Associate levels in Australia and South Africa, he is rigorous in his approach and strives to deliver quality design that adds value for clients and community alike. He believes that buildings should connect to their immediate and greater urban environment and make a positive contribution to the places they inhabit.
Heinrich Olckers
Project Lead
Heinrich has over 10 years of experience working on public, education, residential and commercial buildings in Australia and overseas. He is a registered architect in South Africa and his passion for design is underpinned by rigorous documentation and excellent project management skills. Heinrich has a strong focus on community-based architecture, believing good architecture facilitates social cohesion.
Alyce Giebel
Architect
Alyce is a talented architect with 5 years experience working on public infrastructure and community focused projects. Alyce has a good sense of design with a strong focus on biophilic design and the interaction between built form and the natural environment. Alyce is driven to produce both thoughtful and practical architectural outcomes and bring life, joy and vibrancy to spaces to make them inviting and enjoyable.
Adam Hart
Graduate of Architecture
Adam appreciates the natural environment and letting it showcase itself and shape the way people interact with their surroundings. Adam enjoys collaborating with others to maximise design potential and enjoys using his full creative range throughout the whole architecture process from ideas and sketching to ribbon cut.
Felia Hanifa
Student of Architecture
Felia has a Bachelor of Architecture and is rapidly building her expertise and knowledge. She is highly skilled in 3D visualization and modelmaking and assists across all project stages. Felia is a committed young architect with a conscientious approach and a desire to do meaningful design work that supports people and communities.
Justin Ricarte
3D Architect
Justin is a technically skilled 3D Architect with 6 years experience bringing architectural ideas and concepts to life through a fusion of architecture and graphic design. With a keen interest and passion for people-centric design, Justin uses his international experience and critical eye for detail and design to collaborate and contribute to shaping building environments that have a positive impact and are appreciated by society.
Raymund Musico
3D visualisation Artist
Raymund is a technically skilled 3D Architectural Visualization Artist with an eye for detail and design. He has 7 years of experience producing powerful 3D imagery to showcase architectural projects and developments. Raymund is also an Architect with diverse experience and 3D images and solutions will not only bridge the gap between ideas and reality but impress and excite and bring a project to life well before it is built.
Gavin Bailey
Business Manager
Gavin is Open Architecture’s Business Manager and brings a wide range of experience to this role, with a background in manufacturing and construction, accounting and engineering. Gavin has an Economics degree with further accounting qualifications and is currently a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia (FGIA) and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators (FCIS). Art, design, and architecture have always been an interest of Gavin’s and he enjoys supporting a dynamic team in their desire to provide a built environment which adds to the general wellbeing and quality of life for the communities in which we live and work.
Stephanie Anderson
Studio & Marketing Coordinator
Steph is our studio all-rounder and is a dedicated member of the team. She coordinates our tender and marketing activities and supports our project and design teams to achieve success.