Balancing the demands of study with the realities of practice, Architectural Graduate Rebecca Mallaby has grown from student to full-time professional at Carr. With a steady, considered approach, she reflects on how her academic foundations continue to shape her professional life.
You first joined Carr as an architecture student and completed your studies at the end of 2023. Now working as a full-time architectural graduate, how did balancing study and work benefit you both personally and professionally?
The combined experience of work and study inspired me greatly. Working provided a real-world context of briefs, clients and budgets and taught me skills like efficiency, problem solving and time management.
The academic side brought a cluster of creativity and never-ending learning. This encouraged constant, uninhibited idea generation, and the teachings from a variety of educators, peers, and researchers.
As chaotic as this time was, being design-focused day in and day out, from morning until night, cemented for me that when you make your hobby your job, you will never tire of it.
What first drew you to a career in architecture, and what is it about commercial and residential projects that you find most intriguing in each sector?
Art and design have always inspired me. From an early age, I was drawn to the exactness and precision of drawing with a ruler, sketching real-life scenes like streetscapes and houses. By 12, I had decided that if I could make a career out of this, I would — and I was fortunate that everything else that came with architecture interested me too.
Each sector of architecture offers something unique. Commercial design, in particular, has undergone a powerful shift in recent years, with a driving focus on wellbeing. Wellness, amenity, adaptability, and sustainability are now at the forefront, all of which deeply resonate with me. Equally compelling is the opportunity to integrate civic gestures that enhance the public realm, a responsibility I find incredibly influential.
On the other hand, designing homes is profoundly personal. The ability to create spaces that embody belonging, comfort, and individuality for someone is both meaningful and rewarding.
Beyond design, where do you find inspiration?
Getting out in nature is a priority. I place such significance in being able to spend time outdoors, whether it’s in the ocean, hiking, or walking through the park – it brings a sense of calmness. This is a source of peace for many people!
The best architecture for me is when it enhances its natural environment, putting it at the forefront of the design, rather than competing against it. After all, buildings are only temporary; the landscape will live on.
You were the recipient of the 2025 Bluescope Glenn Murcutt Student Prize (congratulations again on that achievement!). What do you see as the benefits of entering award programs like this, and what have been your biggest takeaways to carry forward in your career?
The most rewarding aspect of the award was meeting inspirational figures like Glenn Murcutt, whose designs continue to shape Australian and international architecture. Being able to attend the Australian Architecture Conference to accept the award, and more recently the Murcutt Symposium, was a privilege, providing the opportunity to learn from designers whose work enacts such meaningful change.
What advice would you give to other young designers looking to kickstart their careers?
Learn from those around you – surround yourself with designers who inspire you, whether it is at work, university, or just attending lectures. There are so many people creating unique, motivating designs. Find those who influence you and lean on them as much as possible.
Finally, is there a Carr project you’re most drawn to or admire? If so, what about it resonates with you?
Foley Park is a deeply personal project. As a boutique development, it demonstrates a refined attention to detail and a clear vision of what is essential in creating a home. Its connection to nature goes beyond framing views of the landscape; it was inspired by the site from the very beginning. The tones and textures of the surroundings shaped the project into what it ultimately became.
Another project I admire is 116 Rokeby, which I see as a benchmark for modern commercial design. With the well-being of its users at the forefront, the building has been reimagined not simply as a collection of walls and floors, but as a living organism that breathes.
