BURLING BROWN - Key Persons


Andrew Brewer

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Director
As an inaugural Graduate of Architecture from Griffith University on the Gold Coast, Andrew provides a strong sense of detail in relation to Gold Coast Architecture. Since joining Burling Brown in mid-2013, Andrew is focused on delivering projects that engage in heightened levels of thinking with strong substance and quality, regardless of scale or context.

Brennan Cooper

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Director
Brennan became a Director of the firm in 2021. Practicing as a registered Architect, Brennan joined Burling Brown after graduating with his Masters of Architecture from The University of Queensland in 2013. Over his 10 years with Burling Brown, Brennan has compiled an extensive portfolio and experience in commercial, education, high-rise and residential architecture. Having worked on a variety of landmark projects both locally and nationally, Brennan actively seeks opportunities to incorporate the natural environment into his work to compliment a building's form. His work features strong ties to the context and history of Southeast QLD with a focus on subtropical vernacular architectural design. Brennan prides himself on being meticulous in detail across all stages of a project from design and documentation through to procurement and construction.

Brian Kidd

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Director
Brian Kidd entered Burling Brown in 1981 and became a director in 1995. He brought with him experience in resort, education, high-rise and residential architectural. Since joining he has further excelled in these disciplines and continues to promote the use of creative and functional design principles in the delivery of quality built environments. Brian's passion for photography and the arts, aids in the development of his creative visions.

Chad Becker

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Technician
Chad has completed his Diploma of building design. During his studies he had the opportunity to study architectural design in Copenhagen, Denmark and after winning a design competition, had the unique opportunity to work on the Commonwealth Games athlete's village. Chad started working with the team at Burling Brown in 2017 and has since gained vast experience and knowledge across countless educational, multi residential and Theme Park projects. His favourite aspect in all projects is developing and evolving the concept designs and seeing them become a built reality.

Dane Rose

Dane has been working with Burling Brown since 2015. After graduating his Master of Architecture degree, he has continued to strive to deliver high quality work through all stages of the design process. With more than four years of industry experience, Dane brings with him a strong work ethic and an eagerness to deliver innovative design solutions. Growing up with a passion for art and music, his strengthened appreciation of architectural presentation and visualisation is a significant factor with his involvement to projects.

Darrell Brown - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Founder
Darrell was one of the founding members of Burling Brown Architects who recently stepped down from his role as Director. His passion lies in the creation of enduring and functional building designs. Darrell has delivered a variety of building typologies during his career across high-rise, health-care, commercial, community, aged care and education sectors. His formal education has extended beyond architecture to include a Masters in Planning. Darrell also has a long history of delivering signature projects in Darwin over the past 30 years.

David Schreiber

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Technician
David has completed a Diploma of Building Design at TAFE QLD. At the completion of the course, he was awarded "Student of the Year - Built Environment". David has always had a passion for Architectural design which has fuelled his interest to join the industry. Since joining the team at Burling Brown, David has been involved in a wide range of projects and aims to achieve high quality work throughout the design process.

Dylan McLaughlin

Job Titles:
  • Architect
Dylan joined Burling Brown in 2015 after graduating from Griffith University where he received the Board of Architects' Prize and the QIA medallion in his final year of studies. He brings with him strong creative skills across all project stages and has a strong sense of detail in architectural rendering, presentation and 3D modelling.

Ethan Woolard

Job Titles:
  • Technician
  • Student Technician
Ethan is currently pursuing a Certificate 4 in Residential Drafting at TAFE. Ethan is dedicated to honing his skills and knowledge in the field of design with a burning desire to learn and grow. He is on the path to pursuing a Diploma in Building Design. Ethan brings a remarkable level of enthusiasm and drive to his work, constantly seeking ways to enhance his expertise in the art of design. His eagerness to expand his understanding and explore new possibilities shines through.

Jacqui Darroch

Job Titles:
  • Executive Assistant
After completing a Certificate III in Business Administration, Jacqui became a part of the Burling Brown team as a Junior Receptionist in 2003. She has since expanded her role to include contract administration and assistant duties to the Directors and the rest of the staff.

James Blair

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Technician
In 2006 James graduated with a Bachelor of Design from Christchurch Polytechnic Institute of Technology, New Zealand. Having worked with the team at Burling Brown since March 2007, he has gained a vast amount of knowledge and skill across a diverse range of building typologies.

Lisa Mercer

Job Titles:
  • Landscape Architect
Lisa forms an integral part of the Burling Brown team with more than 25 years experience as a practising landscape architect. She has allied formal qualifications in horticulture and higher education teaching bringing a significant breadth of knowledge and experience supporting the practice delivery of quality, practical design solutions with a strong client focus. Her knowledge of native flora is coupled with an appreciation of the importance of maintaining natural ecological systems within the urban fabric. Lisa's skills complement the strong practice foundations for creating sustainable and site responsive solutions for all project work. She has a particular passion for formulating innovative and functional design solutions for educational facility sites seeing them as critical components within any community.

Mia Gillespie

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Student
Mia completed her Bachelor of Architectural Design at Griffith University in 2022 and looks forward to furthering her studies through commencing the Masters of Architecture in the near future. Through her studies she developed a passion for sustainability in design and enjoys any opportunity to put her creativity to the test. Having grown up on the Gold Coast, Mia has a keen interest in the future development of the city and wider South-East Queensland and looks forward to making a positive impact on its evolution.

Nathan Quartermaine

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Director
Nathan began as a Director of the firm in 2006. Prior to this, he had spent many years working with various companies, developing his portfolio with a number of key commissions. He has experience in various cultures and has spent time as a project designer in Hong Kong and Canada. Nathan's passion for Ecologically Sustainable Urban Development and creative building design is evident in a number of large scale and education commissions he has completed. Recently, this passion for sustainability culminated in gaining a Masters of Urban Planning from Bond University's School of Sustainability. His thesis investigating the culture of ‘Retrofitting Suburbia' in the Australian urban context was awarded the Planning Ministers Award in 2010. This has provided him with unique insights into the future of urban developments and further evolved his approach to sustainable development.

Nermin Adzemovic

Architectural Graduate Nermin's thoughtful approach to each new project is the convergence of culture, science and philosophy. Deeply aware of human history and global impacts, he holds a connotation that "architecture needs to become an instigator for transformation in the social fabric", informed in part by Lebbeus Woods. Nermin would like to see more socially sustainable and adaptable structures emerging on the Gold Coast, buildings designed for multiple and changing uses over time. Nermin holds aesthetics as equal to spatial functionality in importance.

Nikita Gangell

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Technician
Nikita has completed her Diploma of Building Design with a passion for enhancing and shaping the lives of others through her work. Creativity and a sustainable environment, inspired Nikita into an industry where her passion thrives on continuous change and variety. Nikita offers her own style in design as well as bringing a hard working, devoted and dedicated attitude to the team. Since joining Burling Brown Nikita has contributed to multiple commercial projects, from playgrounds to educational buildings and sporting facilities.

Peter Nairn

Job Titles:
  • Architect
Peter has been a member of the Burling Brown team since 2009 & has been working in the industry for 25 years. Peter has extensive experience across a broad range of architectural typologies with a penchant for detailing through all phases of documentation. Whilst embracing the latest modelling technology Peter still enjoys & appreciates the art of manual drawing.

Rod Nairn

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Technician
With over 15 years' of industry experience and a Diploma of Graphic Art and Illustration, Rod employs a passion to his work from concept presentation to final construction. He believes there is nothing more rewarding than seeing a project develop from concept design right through to the finished product.

Scott Bray

Job Titles:
  • Technician
  • Landscape Technician
Scott has extensive experience working as a horticulturist in both the commercial and residential landscape industry. In these roles Scott worked on the installation and ongoing maintenance of landscape projects including a number of award-winning gardens. Looking to develop his skills further, Scott completed a Diploma of Landscape Design with TAFE NSW in 2018. This enabled Scott to work towards his passion of designing inclusive, sustainable green spaces for everyone to enjoy. Since moving to the Gold Coast at the beginning of 2023 and joining the Burling Brown team, Scott has worked to expand his knowledge in the more technical aspects of Landscape Architecture. To date, he has contributed to multiple commercial landscape projects including playgrounds, green spaces and sporting facilities.

Simon Brook

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Director
Simon has been a member of the Burling Brown team since his graduation in architecture in 2007 and more recently became the youngest Director of the firm. He has undertaken a wide variety of exceptional projects from concept design right through to the final building construction. Simon has developed an enthusiasm for innovative, sustainable materials and construction methods. Simon's passion for holistic architecture has strengthened his design philosophy for encapsulating both the built form, its landscape and surrounding environment.

Stephanie Pollier

Job Titles:
  • Architectural Technician
Stephanie obtained a Diploma in building design from TAFE and worked in residential drafting for a year before joining the Burling Brown team. Growing up, Stephanie had a passion for arts and creative spaces that promote interaction among people. She holds a Bachelor's degree in communications and has lived in three different countries, which gives her a broad perspective to contribute to her work and projects. Stephanie is enthusiastic about sustainability design shaping the future for a better movement.

Steve Woolard

Job Titles:
  • Architect
  • Project Manager
Steve graduated from the University of Queensland in 1993 following which he commenced work with Burling Brown in 1995 and as a registered Architect in 1996. Steve has extensive experience in building procurement particularly during the design, documentation and construction phases and has contributed to the success of many significant projects during the past 25 years working with Burling Brown.

Tyler Thurtell

Job Titles:
  • Architect
Completing a Diploma of Building and Design, fuelled Tyler's passion for architecture and armed him with the skills and knowledge to deliver high quality projects and manage stakeholder relationships. Since joining Burling Brown, Tyler has embarked on a variety of small to large scale projects from educational buildings, high rises to theme park projects. Sport is a large part of Tyler's life and he enjoys being a leader and a team player both on and off the field. Tyler applies his leadership qualities into his work which gives him the confidence and drive to produce high quality outcomes and experiences for our clients.