When Ric Butt started Strine Design, the term ‘Strine’ was a well-known term meaning ‘Australian’ (see Afferbeck Lauder’s publication ‘Let Stalk Strine’). Building on the Australian theme, the use of the platypus in the logo refers not only to the nature of the platypus as an iconic and unique Australian animal but also to the unique way in which the creature makes its home, by creating different burrows for different purposes.
Ric Butt has designed a series of unique, organic style passive solar houses that reflect the vernacular architecture of the Australian bush.
Strine Design offers a professional design service for new houses as well as additions and alterations to existing houses. Strine homes are typically warm, bright and spacious, with full glazing to the north.
Strine Design equally provides the complete range of non-residential and commercial design services.
Life Fellow Royal Australian Institute of Architects (LFRAIA) Ric is an architect, builder and environmental designer and principal of Strine Design. He is committed to raising the public profile of vernacular Australian architecture and promoting environmentally sustainable practice in both design and construction. Ric was the RAIA ACT Chapter President 1986-88 and National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) 1997-1998. As well as receiving many housing, building and design awards, including the Sir Zelman Cowan Award Commendation, Ric was awarded the American Institute of Architects Presidential Medal and Honorary American Institute of Architects (AIA) membership in 1998 in recognition of his efforts to foster understanding and interaction of architects world wide. His involvement in the formation of the Australian Building Energy Council, the development of its Building Energy Code, his chairmanship of the RAIA National Environment Committee and his membership of the HIA Environment Planning and Development Committee have given Ric a national profile in environmentally sustainable and low energy buildings. Ric’s key expertises are in: Peter joined the Strine Design team in 2003 and brought with him 23 years of experience as an architect working in a wide variety of projects in both Melbourne & Canberra. In 1976, he joined Eggleston Macdonald in Melbourne then moved to Canberra in 1982 where he worked for Cameron Chisholm & Nicol on a large office building project and Government office fitouts. In 1984, Peter joined the Canberra office of Eggleston Macdonald where he became an Associate Director in 1989 and a Director in 1992. He was the sole director of the Designinc Canberra office for five years. Peter is a member of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) and is registered with the ACT Architects Board. He is familiar with all aspects of the projects procurement process.
Peter has had considerable experience in a wide range of buildings
and has been involved in all stages on a variety of projects including
refurbishments, offices, medical facilities, hospitals, educational
work, warehouses, residential and office buildings. Bachelor of Industrial Design, Bachelor of Architecture Tony likes to think he is a bit of an “ideas man”. He began his journey studying industrial design and spent nearly a decade designing interactive exhibitions at Questacon – The National Science and Technology Centre of Australia. Tony has always been a closet Greenie. He added a Bachelors degree in Architecture to his list of qualifications and has set about making the world a better place. Tony reckons Strine is the best place he has ever worked at. That’s
really saying something because he once worked on a cruise ship
as a scuba instructor. Tony’s favourite quote is from the Australian cult movie “The Castle” and is directly relevant to the cost of sustainability. “How much did that cost …… just paid for itself” (Dale
Kerrigan).
Architectural draftsman with more than 25 years experience ranging
from domestic to commercial jobs and anything in between. Started
out with pen and ink but now using computers for almost everything.
Age unknown! Forever trying to achieve the perfect drawing and sometimes
getting close to it. I expect to achieve perfection in another 25
years time. Motto: “Have pencil, will draw” Daniel is a new young addition to the Strine team. Starting in
2006 he has shown that he is a valuable member to the team, with
experience in commercial and residential work.
Nearing the end of 2006, Chris Bourke began working for Strine Homes with Ric at the Pre-Cast Concrete Factory. At the beginning of 2007 Chris moved from the factory to the Strine Design office at Yarralumla, rich with knowledge and keen to meet and greet his new peers and colleagues. Chris has a strong interest in design, his interests range from environmental design, to graphic design. When not working, Chris takes inspiration from his many friends, Electro Vinyl and his love of snowboarding. His favourite architect is Erich Mendelsohn and his building “Einsteinturm”.
Lucy is a first-class GEEK! When she’s not designing and building crazy models for her 3rd year of architecture at UC, or jetsetting overseas to study Italian and Greek architecture, she’s busy at Strine learning all about how to design in the ‘real’ world! Her passions include modern architecture, anything by Tadao Ando or Renzo Piano to the extreme and extraordinary designs of Herzog & de Meuron and Zaha Hadid. Her favourite architecture quote: “The mother art is architecture. Without an architeture of
our own we have no soul of our own civilization.” (Frank Lloyd
Wright) |
Ric Butt
Peter
Churcher
Tony
Rowley 
Ngaio
Fitzpatrick Project Facilitator
Ahmed
Alketab Draftsperson
Ivo
Ostyn
Daniel
Thomas 
Chris
Bourke