OFFICE

Paula is an architecture practice based in Melbourne/Naarm and Brisbane/Meanjin. We work on lots of different projects; we are currently working on a family home in Highvale, a backyard study in North Melbourne and a series of cabins on Annan Gorge near Cooktown, among other things.

We are a practice that, in its current form, is run by a youngish man and a slightly older man; John Deicke is an architect with 40 years experience, who has worked on practically all project types across Australia, Asia, and Europe. Charles Deicke graduated with a Master of Architecture from the Melbourne School of Design in 2021. They are father and son by chance, colleagues by choice.

We think our differences in age cancel out each other’s worst architectural tendencies; Charles’ to be too trendy and rigid, and John’s to be too safe. We think this makes our architecture uniquely positioned; a new take on the way things have been done.

Charles’ dream project is a large shed, John’s is whatever the next one is.

We are always trying to make architecture, whether the architecture will get made or not. We are undaunted by small projects with even smaller budgets; we call this economic sustainability. We are also undaunted by big projects with big budgets; some would call this award-winning architecture (we think both should and can be). We are trying to practice with environmental sustainability too, even though we nor the profession are exactly sure what form this takes just yet.

We also like to teach; John used to run studios at QUT and Griffith University and Charles currently teaches history and design at RMIT University. Teaching frees the mind from the constraints of everyday practice, and allows us to see the potential in the speculative and the unbuilt.

Paula takes its name from John’s wife and Charles and Will’s mother Dr Paula Whitman, as a testament to her spirit and a continuation of her legacy.

PEOPLE

John Deicke
Charles Deicke

Brisbane/Meanjin

john@paula-projects.com.au
+61 428 182 712
71 Gilgandra Street, Indooroopilly, 4068

Melbourne/Naarm

charles@paula-projects.com.au
+61 427 202 262
46 Little La Trobe Street, Melbourne, 3000