About Robert Caulfield

Director

Robert Caulfield is an internationally renowned and award winning architect having designed significant buildings throughout Australia; the middle east, Asia and the United States.  He is the founder of and for 31 years the managing director of Archicentre Limited, Australia’s largest building advisory group.  He appears frequently on T.V. and radio and in the media discussing all aspects of buying, building and renovating buildings.  He is a past national president of the Australian Institute of Architects, president of Kidsafe Victoria and an experienced company director.

Since graduating with honours in Design and Professional Practice from RMIT University, Robert’s career has been highlighted by many awards and achievements which reflect his dedication and commitment to the profession.

In 1977 he was awarded a research grant by the Royal Australian Institute of Architects (RAIA) for the study of possible methods of building procurement up to the year 2000.

A citation by the RAIA in 1978 gave Robert recognition for the proposed development of a range of architectural advisory services to help the general public.  This was to become Archicentre.  In 1978, Robert along with Ivo Krivanek also formed Caulfield & Krivanek Pty Ltd, architects, planners and interior designers.

In 1984 Robert was awarded another professional citation for the conception and implementation of a number of building and design services.

1986 saw Robert awarded the prestigious RAIA Sisalation research scholarship for international research into the prevention of building failures and maintenance problems.  This experience has subsequently been applied to many of Caulfield & Krivanek’s projects and to the development of Archicentre’s technical expertise.

In 1987, Robert was awarded the Victorian President’s Architecture Medal for outstanding services to architecture.

In 1990, he was elected National President of the Royal Australian Institute of Architects, the youngest president up until that time.

From 2000 onwards Robert has been involved with the design, documentations and construction of major residential and commercial projects in Australia, Dubai, China, Vietnam, Iran, Azerbaijan and Belarus.  However, he still has extensive involvement with all aspects of domestic residential construction.

Robert is an experienced company director and apart from corporate directorships has been involved at a senior level with many community organizations and is the founding and past president of Kidsafe Victoria, and is the current vice-president, and a former director of the Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation.  He is also a director of Homesafe Pty. Ltd., a child home safety organization and a former director of Yachting Victoria.

In 2002 Robert was awarded a Centenary Medal by the federal government for services to architecture.

In his spare time Robert enjoys competitive sailing, golf, tennis and scuba diving. To view the CV below as a PDF, click here.

Professional achievements

• 1974 Graduated RMIT (Honours)
• 1977 Winner RAIA K.A. Henderson Research Scholarship
• 1979 Founder and director Architects Inspection Service (formerly Archicentre) Founder Caulfield & Krivanek Pty Ltd, Architects (now CK Designworks)
• 1981 Founder and director RAIA Victorian Archicentre Pty Ltd
• 1983 Fellow – Society of Senior Executives
• 1986 Winner ACI Sisalation Research Scholarship for international study of building pathology
• 1987 Awarded RAIA Presidents medal for outstanding services to architecture
• 1988 President – Nunawading Junior Chamber of Commerce (Jaycees)
• 1990 – 1991 National President – Royal Australian Institute of Architects
• 1990 – 1996 Judge – Australian Gown of the Year
• 1991 – 2009 Managing Director & CEO Archicentre (Aust) Pty Ltd
• 1992 National Architecture Awards Jury Chairman
• 1994 – 1997 Chairman – Royal Australian Institute of Architects Membership Committee
• 1994 – 1996 Director and Treasurer – Victorian Child Accident Prevention Foundation (Kidsafe)
• 1997 Director and Deputy Chairman – Victorian Child Accident Prevention Foundation (Kidsafe)
• 1997 Chairman of Judges – Australian Gown of the Year
• 1997 – 2000 Commodore – Albert Sailing Club
• 1998 – 2002 Director and Chairman Kidsafe Victoria
• 1999 Director – Yachting Victoria
• 2002 Federal Government Centenary Medal for service to Architecture.
• 2002 Director and Founding President – Kidsafe Vic Inc.
• 2002 Member – Australian Institute of Company Directors
• 2003 Director – Homesafe Kids Pty Ltd
• 2003 Member – Property Council of Australia
• 2004 Director – Western Bulldogs Forever Foundation
• 2005 Director and Vice President – Kidsafe Vic Inc
• 2006 – 2010 Director – Yarrbat Place Pty Ltd – retirement village
• 2010 – 2015 Director – Donwood Community Aged Care Services
• 2011 Director and Chairman CK Designworks China
• 2011 Jury Chairman – China International Future Architect Award – Shenzhen – China
• 2012 NMIT Bachelor of Built Environment (Architecture) – Inaugural Advisory Reference Group Member
• 2012 Director and President – Kidsafe Victoria Inc
• 2013 Bayside Built Environment Awards – Juror
• 2015 – 2016 Director Archicentre Pty Ltd
• 2017 Director of Council on the Aging (COTA)
• 2018 Co-Founder and Chairman of Architects Group Australia
• 2018 – 2020 Director of Donwood Community Aged Care Services
• 2021 – 2025 Councillor – Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter
• 2023 – Current President of Council on the Aging (COTA)

Papers and Presentations

• 1978 K A Henderson Thesis (RAIA) – “The Architect and the Promotional Approach to Commercial Architecture”
• 1979 – Current Technical articles on building problems for newspapers throughout Australia
• 1979 – 2009 Archicentre training seminars – Australia wide
• 1979 – 2009 Research, presentations and training seminars to architects on building faults in Australian Homes
• 1981 – 2009 Public Home Buying Seminars
• 1985 – 2000 The Practice and Business of Architecture – RAIA Seminar speaker
• 1985 “Marketing Architecture” seminars – Palmerston North, New Zealand – presenter
• 1986 “Marketing Architecture” seminars – Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane – presenter
• 1987 RAIA Thesis – “The Pathology of Building”
• 1987 “Finding Work and Keeping Out of Trouble” – a series of seminars in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch – presenter
• 1988 “Negotiating Skills” a series of seminars in Melbourne, Adelaide & Sydney – presenter
• 1988 “Establishing and Running A Small Business – Jaycees World Congress – Sydney – presenter
• 1989 “Building Failures, Facts and Fixes” – seminar for the American Institute of Architects – Houston, USA – presenter
• 1990 “Finding Work and Keeping out of Trouble” – seminars Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin – presenter
• 1991 “Surviving the Recession” – a series of seminars for architects and builders – Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide, Darwin – presenter
• 1991 “Building Failures, Facts and Fixes” – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland – presenter
• 1992 Management Strategies for Professional Practices – Melbourne – presenter
• 1993 Management Strategies for Professional Practices – Sydney – presenter
• 1994 “Professional Networking” a series of marketing and motivation seminars – Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide – presenter
• 1994 “Advanced Negotiating Skills” – Travelodge Melbourne – presenter
• 1995 “Building Faults – Their Effect on House Valuation” Guest Speaker Australian Institute of Valuers and Land Economists- presenter
• 1996 “Investing in Property” Seminar
• 1997 “Investing in Property” Seminar
• 1997 Australian Institute of Building Surveyors National Convention – presenter NSW Country Architects Convention – Jenolan Caves – chairman and presenter – “Marketing Architecture” National Housing Conference – presenter “Home Safety”
• 2000 “How Successful Architects Make Money”. A series of seminars for Architects. Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Hobart, Launceston, Auckland.
• 2001 New South Wales Country Architects Convention (Ballina) – chairman and presenter “Architecture on Mars”.
• 2001 National Housing Conference – Adelaide. Chairman and presenter.
• 2001 “Living Safer, Healthier and Happier – a housing profile of Victoria’s older population” – A research paper based on findings from Archicentre’s Home Services Program.
  “Quality of Owner Built Buildings”. A research paper prepared in conjunction with Deakin University.
  “Australian’s Residential Building Faults. A View From The State of Victoria” a research paper prepared in conjunction with Deakin University and featured in The Building and Environment International Journal.
  “National Town Planning Survey” A survey of architects and research report prepared by Archicentre and presented to state and federal governments and the media.
• 2003 “Inquiry on First Home Ownership”. A research paper prepared by Archicentre and the RAIA at the request of the Federal Government’s Productivity Commission.
• 2003 “How Successful Architects Make Money”. A series of continuing education seminars commissioned by the New Zealand Institute of Architects Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Napier.
• 2005 “Making Homes Safe as Houses” an updated profile of Victoria’s older population. A research paper based on findings from Archicentre’s Home Services Program.
• 2006 – 2009 Archicentre Cost Guide. Review of Australian building costs – updated quarterly
• 2008 “Safe & Sound” A housing profile of Victoria’s older population
• 2010 “Growing Cities – A Vegi-tecture Approach” – Read More
• 2011 The Retirement Industry in China – Asia Property Investment Conference – Shanghai – China
• 2012 “Sustainable Cities of the Future” Victorian Government Trade Mission – Chengdu – China
• 2013 Cost Guide, Renovation Guide, Child Safety Guide – Homesafe Group https://caulfieldkrivanek.com/resources/
• 2013 Australian 60 Minutes TV Cities of China
• 2015 “2015 China’s productive Cities; Reality or Myth” – Cities of the Future Symposium Adelaide
• 2016 “Can Australian Professions Prosper in the Emerging Global Economy?” – Delta Sigma delta Society- Melbourne
• 2017 “A facelift for older facilities” Australian Aging Agenda Magazine
• 2018 “Look to NDIS for new income sources” Australian Aging Agenda Magazine
• 2018 Melbourne Skyloop Video
• 2020 “How to secure overseas commissions” – Architecture Au
• 2020 “How to survive a recession” – Architecture Au
• 2021 “How to be and expert witness” – Host AIA Webinar
• 2021 “Reinventing Retirement” – COTA Victoria
• 2025 2025 Victorian Senior of the Year Awards. Presenter

Professional Awards

• 1978 RAIA Urban and Community Design Award
• 1984 RAIA Merit Award for Outstanding Architecture
• 1984 Finalist – Jaycees Five Outstanding Young Australians Award
• 1984 Nominated BHP Pursuit of Excellence Award
• 1987 RAIA Presidents Award
• 1987 Melbourne Art Directors Club Award
• 1989 Runner-up RAIA Institutional Buildings Award
• 1991 Commendation – Industrial Supplies Office (Vic) Australian Business Award
• 1991 Winner MBA Innovative use of timber in design award
• 1991 Runner-up HIA Home of the Year (over $300,000 category)
• 1991 Runner-up HIA Medium Density Housing Award
• 1992 Winner James Hardie National Design Award
• 1992 Life Fellowship, Royal Australian Institute of Architects
• 1995 Victorian Government Fair Trading Award (Archicentre)
• 1998 Victorian Yachting Council – Media Award
• 1998 Victorian Yachting Council – Commodore of Outstanding Yacht Club of the year
• 2003 Federal Government Centenary Medal for Services to Architecture
• 2010 Winner – UDIA Award – Special Purpose Living – Yarrbat Place
• 2016 Victorian Government Premier’s Award for Services to Child Safety

RAIA/AIA Involvement

• 1968 – 1970 Student member RAIA (Vic) Membership Committee
• 1970 – 1973 Convenor – RAIA (Vic) Activities Committee
• 1973 – 1978 Member RAIA Membership Committee
• 1979 – 1986 Councillor – RAIA (Vic)
• 1979 – 1985 Member RAIA (Vic) Information Committee
• 1982 – 1986 Vice President RAIA (Vic)
• 1984 – 1990 RAIA National Information Committee Member
• 1986 – 1993 RAIA National Councillor
• 1989 National Vice President RAIA
• 1989 Chairman RAIA (NSW chapter) Finance Management Committee
• 1990 – 1991 National President RAIA
• 1992 Chairman RAIA National Awards Jury
• 1994 – 1996 Chairman RAIA (Vic) Membership Committee
• 1997 Deputy Chairman RAIA (Vic) Membership Committee & Various RAIA Committees
• 2003 Member RAIA 2004 Year of The Built Environment Committee
• 2010 – 2012 Australian Institute of Architects National Councillor
• 2015 – 2016 Director Archicentre Pty Ltd
• 2021 – 2025 Councillor – Australian Institute of Architects Victorian Chapter
• 2022 – Current Robert Caulfield Graduate Research Scholarship Sponsor