Calm, honest, and attentive. These adjectives not only define Carr’s design philosophy but also reflect Associate Alan Hunt’s approach as an architect. Working in the industry since 2006, Alan has witnessed the evolution of the high-end multi-residential sector, evident in award-winning Carr projects such as Como Terraces, Heyington, and Victoria & Burke.
On his current projects, Alan champions and delivers some of the studio’s most bespoke offerings, supporting clients’ ambitions while ensuring the best value for the eventual occupants of these carefully crafted homes.
The agility of being flexible
With a career spanning nearly 20 years, Alan has worked with a diverse range of clients. When asked what is crucial for a successful partnership, he is clear: “Flexibility and agility.” He elaborates, “You need to be able to work across different organisational structures, whether that is team setups, financial processes, or the number and influence of stakeholders. Regardless of the situation, you must remain professional and courteous, staying adaptable to pressures and preferences.”
So, what are some of the main differences Alan has encountered in how clients operate and communicate? According to him, it largely depends on the operational structure of the client.
“It could be just one person, and then you’re dealing entirely with their personality. Or it could be a key stakeholder supported by a couple of highly experienced experts who give you thorough, well-thought-out directions. Sometimes the stakeholder’s team might be less formal. And then there are entities with more bureaucracy, which are typically very well organised.”
Alan describes this agility as a skill he has honed over his career, shaping his role as an architect to be inherently a ‘problem-solver,’ always focused on making life easier for clients and consultants. It’s also an approach that Founding Principal Sue Carr — and the studio by extension — has long advocated for: delivering excellent design as a premium service, with no stone left unturned, regardless of scale.
Doing your due diligence
When working on larger projects with multiple stakeholders, as seen with Como Terraces, how does Alan ensure the design integrity is protected and ultimately realised?
“It’s about constant attention,” he explains. “You must be diligent throughout the entire process, navigating the opinions of builders, contractors, subcontractors, clients and joint venture partners. As the designer, you need to stick to your vision while accommodating market needs. But you must never lose sight of the design intent. Keep an eye on it at all times.”
With a legacy dating back to 1971, Carr has long been known for designing and delivering bespoke, highly curated homes — whether higher-density projects or single residences. This experience underpins the studio’s approach to every project, where careful attention, collaboration across multiple stakeholders, and unwavering commitment to the design intent ensure that each outcome reflects both Alan’s vision and the studio’s standard of excellence.
The final stakeholder
This high level of personal attention extends to the purchasers of the residences themselves. For select projects, Carr remains at the disposal of clients to interrogate and customise each home to best suit their lifestyle.
This is the case on Grandview, a 25-apartment development in Melbourne’s Prahran. Following the successful completion of Victoria & Burke in Camberwell, Andrew Leoncelli of Abadeen and Carr are once again collaborating on a multi-residential development in one of Melbourne’s most sought-after suburbs.
Customisations can range from minor adjustments, such as changing fittings, to more significant alterations like combining one and a half apartments — and navigating the flow-on implications for the rest of the building. Purchasers may request tailored joinery, modifications that respond to their unique needs or life stage, or even a complete reconfiguration of the apartment layout.
While this level of tailoring isn’t universal, Alan says it has become increasingly common in the high-end multi-residential sector. “People are investing a significant amount of time and resources in these spaces — it’s their home, and we’re dedicated to customising it to their unique needs. It’s an attitude and approach that’s part of Carr’s brand.”
Explore Carr’s projects on the boards in 2026.
