Atlas Architects

Founded in April 2015 by directors Aaron Neighbour and Ton Vu, Atlas Architects is a Melbourne-based practice operating across studios in Footscray and the Surf Coast. Underpinned by a shared commitment to raising living standards through sustainable, innovative, and contextually responsive design, the studio has established a focused body of work within the low-rise residential sector that consistently prioritises spatial quality, environmental performance, and long-term habitability.

Both directors hold Master of Architecture degrees with Distinction from RMIT University and are Certified Passive House Designers accredited by the Passive House Institute, positioning the practice at the intersection of rigorous technical knowledge and considered architectural design. Neighbour brings extensive expertise in building surveying, the National Construction Code, and the integration of built form within coastal and natural landscapes. Vu contributes a culturally informed spatial sensibility shaped by his formative years in Saigon, alongside sustained research and academic engagement at RMIT University and the University of Melbourne.

The practice operates with a close-knit, collaborative team structure that enables direct client engagement throughout all phases of design and construction documentation. Atlas Architects has received recognition including the 2024 Australia By Design Cult People Choice Award, affirming the studio's standing within the broader Australian design community. Their work reflects a disciplined approach to material selection, passive environmental strategy, and the humane organisation of domestic space — qualities that collectively define the practice's commitment to architecture that is both technically resolved and genuinely liveable.