Founded in 2017, Telha Clarke is a Melbourne-based architecture and interiors studio recognised for its considered approach to enduring design. Currently collaborating with Fortis on The Gild in St Kilda, we sat down with Director, Tim Clarke, to discuss the values that underpin the practice and the role architecture plays in shaping people’s connection to place.
Q—Can you please tell us a little about Telha Clarke? How/when/why did the business first begin?
A—Stuart Telha and I first met while studying architecture in 2005, and went on to work together for more than a decade before establishing Telha Clarke in 2017. Our practice was founded on a shared ambition and commitment to thoughtful, enduring design. With a focus on boutique, mid-rise residential development, our studio is known for delivering timeless outcomes that balance architectural integrity, carefully crafted façades, and an intuitive understanding of contemporary living.
Q—How would you describe the underlying philosophy of Telha Clarke?
A—We are driven by a belief that architecture and design can deepen people’s connection to place, enrich daily life, and preserve the cultural narratives that shape our communities. Our lasting impact will be thoughtful, context-led buildings that honour their histories, strengthen neighbourhoods, and stand as enduring contributions to a more connected and meaningful built form.
Q—What are some of the biggest industry trends and/or changes you’re noticing at the moment?
A—One of the biggest shifts we’re currently seeing, is a real desire for connection and experience. People no longer want a space that simply looks good, they want to feel something when they walk into it. There’s an element of theatre coming through design now, however, this must be supported by strong foundations and basic design principles.
Q—What’s the most important stage of a project? Why?
A—For us, it’s the relationship between design and delivery. Design is where a project’s identity is established, through understanding the brief, responding to context and keeping the user experience central.
It’s where the core idea is formed. Delivery is where that vision is realised. While every project faces practical constraints, the best outcomes are those where the original thinking is carried through to completion and the finished building remains true to its purpose.
Q—Telha Clarke and Fortis are about to collaborate for the first time on The Gild in St Kilda. Why do you think our two businesses work so well together?
A—We share a commitment to creating enduring places that people feel connected to. There’s also a strong alignment on design quality, connection to place and the importance of carrying a clear vision through every stage of a project.
Just as importantly, we are relationship-driven and take a long-term view. The ambition is to create places that make a meaningful contribution to their neighbourhoods and continue to be appreciated by the people who live in them for years to come.
Q—At the end of a project, what does success look like for you?
A—Success is seeing people embrace a building as part of their daily lives, and sometimes, in ways you didn’t expect. It’s watching how the spaces are used, how light moves through them at different times of day, and how the landscape grows and softens over time.
After years of designing and construction, success really comes down to how the space feels once it’s lived in. That’s the true measure of whether it worked.
