PRACTICE

Studio

Kneeler stones are the wedge-shaped stones placed at the outer edges of a masonry arch or pediment to support and bond the stones above them. Our name, Kneeler Design Architects, refers to the two founding directors, Robert Bienvenu and Penelope Mulholland, as the foundation stones of the practice, whilst underscoring the strong focus on design.

In the first decade of practice, KDA worked hard to establish and grow a sustainable business model. We focused on residential projects, developing a detailed understanding of town planning, VCAT and Construction Code requirements. Most importantly, we learnt how to show leadership and how to observe and listen in order to respond to clients’ needs.

By our second decade, we moved our focus to public projects and began working with a broader client group. This allowed us to hone our skills on working with committees and multiple stakeholders, including the facilitation of client group workshops, management tools, public speaking and presenting. Quietly but surely, the practice grew, the business model strengthened and our capacity for teamwork developed, both internally and with external consultants.

Now on the cusp of our fourth decade, KDA has a solid basis on which to shoulder any new challenge. We have completed a wide array of educational projects across public and private sectors in Victoria, New South Wales and Tasmania, from early learning centres to special developmental schools to entire new school campuses. Regardless of scope and context, we remain committed to designing learning environments that enable effective learning and teaching, while responding to function and beauty in equal measure.

We are a versatile blend of disciplines, including Architecture, Planning, Interior Design, and Construction Management. Each team member shares a passion for innovative design solutions and a strong sense of responsibility for the quality of their work. Our practice maintains a constant focus on delivering high-quality design and project delivery for every undertaking.

People

  • Portrait of Robert Bienvenu

    Robert Bienvenu

    Managing Director

  • Portrait of Penelope Mulholland

    Penelope Mulholland

    Practice Director

  • Portrait of Claire Carson

    Claire Carson

    Senior Design Associate

  • Portrait of Sarah Morrison

    Sarah Morrison

    Senior Design Associate

  • Portrait of Eldo Di Muccio

    Eldo Di Muccio

    Senior Design Associate

  • Portrait of Julia Meng

    Julia Meng

    Senior Interior Designer

  • Portrait of Karolien Vanhee

    Karolien Vanhee

    Senior Architect

  • Portrait of Mun Rosewarne

    Mun Rosewarne

    Senior Architect

  • Portrait of Arthur Chan

    Arthur Chan

    Senior Architect

  • Portrait of Chris Tuohy

    Chris Tuohy

    Senior Architect

  • Portrait of Dean Lau

    Dean Lau

    Senior Architect

  • Portrait of Tommy Pakis

    Tommy Pakis

    Project Architect

  • Portrait of Dominic On

    Dominic On

    Architectural Graduate

  • Portrait of Mali Ratnayake

    Mali Ratnayake

    Architectural Technician

  • Portrait of Michael Ng

    Michael Ng

    Architectural Technician

Awards

2025

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Learning by Design Awards (USA): Outstanding Project Award

Yarraville Special Developmental School

Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards: New Building/s or Facilities (Small) – Commendation

2024

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

National Architecture Awards: Heritage Architecture – Commendation

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Victorian Architecture Awards: John George Knight Award for Heritage – Winner

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards: Large Modernisation – Winner

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

World Interior News (WIN) Awards: Publicly Accessible Interiors (Historic) – Bronze

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Interior Design Excellence Awards (IDEA): Institutional and Public Space categories – Shortlisted

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Port Phillip Council Design & Development Awards: Jury Award for Heritage – Commendation

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Port Phillip Council Design & Development Awards: Non-residential – Commendation

Yarraville Special Developmental School

Learning Environments Australasia Design Awards (Victoria/ Tasmania): New Buildings (Small) – Commendation

2023

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Learning Environments Australasia Awards (Victoria/ Tasmania): Large Modernisation – Winner

St George’s Performing Arts Centre

Master Builders Victoria Construction Awards: Commercial Buildings $10- $15M – Winner

2021

Echuca Twin Rivers School

Victorian School Design Awards: Best Project above $10M – Finalist

William Ruthven Secondary College

Victorian School Design Awards: Best Project above $10M – Finalist

2019

Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education Publication

Learning Environments Australasia Awards (Victoria/ Tasmania): Education Initiative/ Design Solution for an Innovative Program – Winner

2018

Portland Bay School

Victorian School Design Awards: Best Combined School or Special School – Finalist

Portland Primary School Block A refurbishment

Victorian School Design Awards: Best School Project under $1M – Winner

2017

Vermont Secondary College Maths & Science Centre

Victorian School Design Awards: Best Secondary School Project – Winner

2015

Horsham Special School Sensory Garden

CEFPI Australia Awards: Education Landscape/ Outdoor Learning Area –Winner

2014

Horsham Special School Sensory Garden

CEFPI Australia Awards (Victoria): Education Landscape/ Outdoor Learning Area – Winner

Horsham Special School

CEFPI Australia Awards: Entire Educational Facility/ New Educational Facility Construction – Commendation

Leongatha Secondary College

Master Builders Regional Building Awards (South East): Commercial Buildings over $6M – Winner

2013

Horsham Special School

CEFPI Australia Awards (Victoria): Entire Educational Facility/ New Educational Facility Construction – Winner

Mentone Grammar Y9 Greenways Campus

CEFPI Australia Awards: Best Renovation/ Modernisation over $1M – Commendation

Mentone Grammar Landscape & Outdoor Learning Area

CEFPI Australia Awards (Victoria): Education Landscape/ Outdoor Learning Area – Commendation

Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education Publication

CEFPI Australia Awards: Education Initiative/ Design Solution for an Innovative Program – Commendation

2012

Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education Publication

CEFPI Australia (Victoria) Awards: Education Initiative/ Design Solution for an Innovative Program – Commendation

2010

South Gippsland Specialist School Children’s Kitchen Garden

CEFPI International: Exhibition of School Planning & Architecture – Project of Distinction

South Gippsland Specialist School Children’s Kitchen Garden

CEFPI Australia Awards: Education Initiative/ Design Solution for an Innovative Program – Winner

Broadmeadows Preschool

Victorian School Design Awards: Best School Project below $3.5M – Winner

Broadmeadows Primary School

Victorian School Design Awards: Best Primary School – Finalist

Hume Central Secondary School, Blair St Campus

Victorian School Design Awards: Best Secondary School – Finalist

Blair St Schools K-9

CEFPI Australia Awards: New School Construction – Commendation

Blair St Schools K-9

CEFPI Australia (Victoria) Awards: New School Construction – Winner

2009

South Gippsland Specialist School

Victoria School Design Awards – Minister’s Commendation

Broadmeadows English Language Centre

CEFPI Australia (Victoria) Awards: Education Initiative/ Design Solution for an Innovative Program – Winner

Hume Central Secondary School, Blair St Campus

Victorian School Design Awards: Best School Project below $3M – Finalist

Publications

Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education (2007-2018)

For 12 consecutive years, Kneeler Design Architects undertook the publication of a series of books on behalf of the CEFPI/ LEA awards program. The Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education publication showcases the best contemporary educational facilities through the lens of an awards programme. In addition to highlighting the best works, these publications provide a comprehensive reference through which schools and others in the education community can become aware of the creative diversity in building solutions possible for different learning environments. The projects shown and the accompanying commentaries can provide schools with a preliminary knowledge of and introduction to various architects’ work.

  • 2007 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2008 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2009 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2010 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2011 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2012 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2013 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2014 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2015 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2016 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2017 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education
  • 2018 Edition, Places for Learning – Contemporary Designs in Education

KDA Projects series (2013-)

Since 2013 Kneeler Design Architects has compiled and published a comprehensive summary of education projects undertaken by the office. Education Projects showcases a diverse range of educational facility design, introducing clients to the significant wealth of knowledge and experience that KDA possesses in this field. In addition to showcasing individual projects, the publication also provides a brief summary of the KDA methodology and approach to Masterplanning and educational design. Alongside our newly released Public & Commercial Projects, KDA’s Projects series publications are regularly updated and available on request.

Kneeler Design Architects have worked collaboratively with practices of varied disciplines on projects and submissions. We value the opportunities provided by teamwork beyond our office and are open to future collaborations.

Affiliations

Professional Association

Long Standing Sponsors of