Barker Architects is a design-focused architecture practice based in the Northern Rivers of New South Wales, creating thoughtful, sustainable architecture that responds to place, climate, and the people who use it.

We work throughout Byron Bay, Lennox Head, Ballina, Lismore, Evans Head, Yamba and the surrounding Northern Rivers region, while also undertaking selected projects across Australia.

Our work spans residential homes, multi-residential developments, community buildings and commercial projects. As a registered design practice for Class 2 buildings, we are qualified to design multi-storey and multi-unit residential developments, including apartment buildings, mixed-use projects and attached dwellings.

At Barker Architects, we believe architecture has the power to shape the way we live. The spaces we inhabit influence our daily routines, wellbeing, relationships and connection to the environment. Our approach is grounded in creating architecture that is not only visually compelling, but highly functional, enduring and enjoyable to live in.

Working closely with our clients, we develop designs that respond to the unique opportunities of each site. Whether designing a coastal home in Byron Bay, a family residence in Ballina, or a multi-residential development elsewhere in Australia, our focus remains the same: creating buildings that are authentic to their location and purpose.

Sustainability is fundamental to our design process. We recognise our responsibility to the natural environment and strive to minimise the ecological impact of every project through thoughtful planning, passive design principles, material selection and long-term durability. By considering the full lifecycle of a building—from construction through to future adaptation—we aim to create architecture that delivers lasting value for both our clients and the environment.

Through intelligent, informed design, we create places that are deeply connected to their surroundings, responsive to future needs, and crafted to enrich everyday life for generations to come.

People

Luke has over 25 years in the design and construction industry. Over this time he has developed a passion for getting to know his clients and understanding their needs. This experience guides the design process and helps achieve the desired result as efficiently as possible.

Study:

  • 2012 Architect Registration

  • 2011 National Program of Assessment (NPrA)

  • 2005 Architectural Technology (Dip)

  • 2002 Carpentry Joinery & construction (Cert III)

  • 1996 Construction (JSST program)

Luke’s design philosophy is ‘informed simplicity’ or, depending on the project ‘refined complexity’. This translates to thought out, purposeful spaces that feel natural and fit for purpose.

Past Projects:

  • Ballina Residence, Ballina $1m

  • The Ridge House, MacLean's Ridge $.45m

  • Indoor Sports Complex, Casino $2m

  • Tregeagle Residence, Northern NSW .3m

  • Harrison Residence, Greenwich, North Sydney $.35m

  • Evenden Residence, Avalon, Sydney $.7m

  • Johnson Residence, Mororo, Northern NSW $.3m

  • ‘Yarrabee House’, Jilliby, NSW** $1.2m

  • Mason Residence, Evans Head NSW $.12m

  • Our Lady of Lebanon School, Harris Park, Sydney* $4.2m

  • Trinity Catholic College Language Facility, Lismore* $.6m

  • Multiple BER schools in Northern NSW* $15m

  • Pottsville HealthOne Facility, Pottsville NSW* $1.2m

  • Maclean Sub- Acute Hospital, Maclean NSW * $3.4m

**Working at Envirotecture *Working at ThomsonAdsett

Luke has worked with multinational architectural companies as well as small studios on projects ranging from 100k to 20m.

He looks forward to sharing his experience with you on whatever project you are undertaking. 

 

Heike has been working in the design and construction industry since graduating in 1997 and has worked on projects in Germany, Spain and Australia as a student and Graduate. In addition Heike has a managing background in the hospitality industry and has been applying her organisational skills as office manager for Thomson Adsett between 2006 and 2012. This set of experiences has allowed Heike to learn how to efficiently manage and complete projects whilst establishing lasting relationships with clients and other consultants. 

Study:

  • 2018 Architect Registration

  • 1997 Bachelor of Architecture, University of Applied Sciences Augsburg, Germany

Heike strives to design buildings that respond to their natural environment by connecting the indoors with the outside and ‘making places on earth that can give a sense of grace to life’ through creating spaces our clients will quietly enjoy.

Past Projects:

  • Richmond Waste Office Alterations, Lismore $1m

  • Pottsville HealthOne Facility, Pottsville NSW* $1.2m

  • Multiple BER schools in Northern NSW* $15m

  • Ballina Community Centre, Ballina* $3.5m

  • Ballina Art Gallery, Ballina* $1.1m

  • Sisters of Nazareth Aged Care Facilities, Tamworth

  • Gracemere Gardens Aged Care Facility, Rockhampton* $8m

  • Suffolk Park Integrated Childcare Services, Byron Bay* $1m

  • Box Ridge Community Centre, Coraki*$.8m

  • Macleay Islands, various residential, Bay of Islands

  • Student Housing competition , Murano, Italy**

  • Library competition entry, Turku, Finland**

**Student projects working at GOA, Barcelona, Spain *Working at ThomsonAdsett, Lismore Office

 

Francois is our Project Coordinator.

Born in Mauritius, Francois studied Architecture in the UK.  Having gained initial experience across various healthcare and commercial projects in a multi-disciplinary practice in London, Francois moved to Australia in 2010 where he joined our Lismore office that same year.

During this time, Francois has developed into an invaluable member of the team. With an unwavering commitment to his role and a Client focused approach, Francois has effectively contributed to a range of major project

Study:

  • BSC (Architecture), Professional Diploma in Architecture (Royal Institute of British Architects  2)

Past Projects:

  • Bellinger Hospital

  • Maclean Hospital

  • Aramac Primary Health Care Centre

  • Rose City- Shopping Centre redevelopment

  • Ballina Residence

  • Mandala House- Stony Chute

  • BallyCara- Master Planning

  • Woodburn NARS Units

  • Uniting Tweed-Master Planning

  • Downlands College - Master plan

  • Downlands College - Boarding house

  • Downlands College -Year 7 Teaching spaces

  • Burwood Plaza-Deakin University

  • Grafton Library