Practice

Lovell Chen principals and directors
Lovell Chen is a multi-disciplinary practice with more than 40 years’ experience in architecture and heritage
Our team combines architects and designers with heritage consultants, planners, conservation and landscape specialists, historians, researchers, materials experts and other specialists in aspects of the built environment. We are a dynamic, innovative practice in the way we approach our work — bringing together strategic thinking, design skills, technical expertise, research and experience.

We are led by six principals, each recognised leaders in their fields. Founding principal and award-winning architect Kai Chen is responsible for design direction and, with principal Milica Tumbas, the management of architectural projects. Peter Lovell, a key participant in the fields of heritage and conservation practice, and also a founding principal, leads project teams in both areas. The heritage team is led by principals Kate Gray, Adam Mornement and Katherine White, and the practice principal is Anne-Marie Treweeke.

Whether we are designing a new building or adapting a heritage structure, providing conservation management advice or strategically planning managed change of a heritage place, developing a master plan or carrying out detailed restoration, our approach is based on an understanding of place. We find solutions, intelligent creative cost-effective solutions that respond to client ambitions, site constraints and statutory requirements.

Lovell Chen works on built environment projects of all types and sizes, from large scale former industrial complexes to individual houses and structures. Our architecture, conservation and heritage teams work collaboratively, with clients and project team members, to deliver a truly integrated service.

WHY CHOOSE LOVELL CHEN?

— We deliver imaginative, intelligent, context-aware design outcomes
— For our focus on strategic thinking and research
— For our equal passion for new design and heritage structures
— For our ability to find economic, practical solutions to seemingly intractable project challenges
— For our truly integrated services and ability to add value
— The way we work collaboratively
— For our ability to deliver green building design and dedication to improving sustainability in heritage buildings
— The depth of experience of our architects and consultants

Our architectural team is led by practice director and founding principal Kai Chen, an award-winning architect whose work is widely recognised in Australia and abroad. He is an instinctive designer, passionate about good design and new ideas. His ability to solve complex architectural challenges underpins our success in the adaptation, extension and refurbishment of heritage buildings and places.

Director and founding principal Peter Lovell is a key participant in the fields of heritage and conservation practice. He focuses on strategies that address the complexities of new projects in heritage contexts; and his detailed knowledge of traditional building and conservation, and comprehensive understanding of adaptation and reuse issues, helps Lovell Chen achieve balanced outcomes.

Our team >

Open House Melbourne

• Through its support of the Trove appeal Lovell Chen is a Bronze Patron of the National Library of Australia
• Opal Patron, ICOMOS 21st General Assembly and Scientific Symposium, Sydney 2023
• Major Practice Partner, Open House Melbourne
• Official Partner, 2024 Australasian Student Architecture Congress — Ground Matters

A signatory to the Green Office programme CitySwitch since 2010

Established in 1981 as Allom Lovell & Associates

photo : Benny Capp